IN giving my testimony for Christian Science I do so with a sense of great gratitude, and I hope these lines will be read by some one who is out of the Ark of Safety but wishes to enter this haven which is open to all. Mine is a simple story, telling how God in His goodness changed my revengeful thoughts; and by drawing closer to the understanding of Him, I became full of love and forgiveness. I will now tell you how Truth opened the doors of Joliet Penitentiary for me.
As to my arrest, confinement in Cook County Jail for three months, conviction, and sentence to prison, I will not go into detail. About 6 o'clock on the morning of March 5, 1901, one of the guards at the jail called me, and told me to get up and dress, as they were going to take me to prison that morning. While dressing I turned to my cell-mate and said, "George, hereafter if any man, woman, or child ever speaks to me about Christianity, I will strike him in the face." In a few minutes I was taken down stairs, handcuffs placed upon my wrists and chains on one leg, and with seven other men placed in a bus and driven to the Union Depot, and put aboard the Alton train bound for Joliet. As the train started and we reached the country and the train began to run faster, how I did wish some accident would happen and I be fortunate enough to be killed.
At this time I was without hope, imagined I was branded for life with the convict stamp upon me, and my only consolation was in my hatred, hatred for my prosecutors. After an hour's ride we arrived at the prison, chains were taken off, and we were put through the regular form of admitting new convicts. About 3 P.M. I was assigned to the reed and rattan shop. Night soon came, but none too soon for me, as I was broken down in body and spirit. We were marched to one of the cell houses. I thought I had never been in such a busy place,—men grabbing a piece of bread here and a pan of prunes there and hurrying to their cells. I finally reached the cell assigned me, and there met the young man who was to be my companion. He soon finished his supper, but I could not eat. After a few minutes' conversation he got upon his bunk and began reading a library book, and while sitting on a little stool I looked upon an old iron shelf in the corner of the cell, saw a book, took it down, and to my astonishment found it was a bound volume of Christian Science Journals. I asked my cell-mate where he got it, and he replied by saying the cell-house keeper gave it to him, as he was what they called a Christian Scientist. Suddenly I felt a sense of relief, as two years prior to this time I had attended some of the services at the First Church in Chicago and had many friends who were members there. But the old hatred took possession of me, and I threw the Journals back upon the shelf. I then got upon my bunk, but not to sleep. Oh, what a night! Morning finally came, and after we had some black coffee and bread I unconsciously took the Journals down again and as I began to look through them some one said "Good morning, what are you reading?" I looked up in surprise to see who was speaking so very pleasantly to me, and saw standing before the iron door an officer in uniform. I answered by saying that I was looking at some Christian Science Journals. He then asked if I was interested in them. I told him no, nor anything else pertaining to Christianity, and that I did not care to know. He said some very kind things to me, and finally told me that I had better get Science and Health from the library. This was Wednesday morning, and the following Sunday we were to mark on the slate in our cell the number of the book we wished from the library. And for four days I fought the hardest battle of my life. I seemed to want the book but I thought if I began to read it I should lose the hatred for my prosecutor, and that was what I did not wish to part with. But Truth was more powerful than error, and Monday I received the book from the library. I then commenced to read, but not with much interest until I came to the last page on "Creation," and found these words, "Would existence be to you a blank without personal friends? Then the time cometh when you will be solitary, left without sympathy and alone, but this seeming vacuum is already filled with divine Love." A few lines after this it says, "for man's extremity is God's opportunity." I probably read that paragraph a hundred times before I went any farther, it was so fitting to, my case, and it seemed Mrs. Eddy wrote that especially for me. Suddenly it dawned upon me that God really did care for me, even if I were in prison, and I began to feel a little more cheerful. I continued to read slowly and carefully, and in a few days I read these words "The purpose and motive to live aright can be gained to-day. These points won, you have started as you should. You have begun at the numeration-table of Christian Science, and nothing but wrong intention can hinder your advancement" (Science and Health,p. 326). By this time I had fully determined to accept the teachings of Christian Science; for I knew I had my own salvation to work out.
At the time I was sentenced the judge said I probably would have to remain in prison at least two years, and the man who prosecuted me said he would use his influence to keep me there seven years before being pardoned. But before proceeding farther I will say I was pardoned in eleven months, the shortest time possible.
About two months after my arrival at the prison I received a letter from a friend saying "that I was God's child and just as soon as I was free from envy, hatred, malice, and all other evils that attend them, I would be free from prison, as God did not want any of His children in the penitentiary." From this time on I devoted all the time allowed for reading, to reading Science and Health, Journals, Sentinels,and Bible texts, and gave up all daily papers and magazines.
At this time I was unable to do my task in the shop, and I was constantly told by the contract foreman that if I did not do more work I would be sent to the dungeon and chained up by the wrists over night. I had no fear of punishment, for I knew I was doing my best, and God would protect me. My task was five chairs, and I worked hard, and on Saturday completed my task for the first time. About 5.30 P.M. the foreman came around, punched my ticket, but in his hurry forgot to take the chair. Mortal mind said, Now you have him, ticket punched for a full day's work and one chair over; but Principle said. No, that is not Christian Science. And so on Monday morning when the foreman came, took the chair, and punched a new ticket, I told him I was not entitled to it, as he punched for it Saturday night. For about two minutes he stood and looked at me, then walked over to a bench, sorted out a nice bunch of cane, and brought it to me with a smile. Prior to this, he was constantly calling me vile and profane names. A few days after this the superintendent of the shop came and ordered me to report at once to his office. I did so and was placed in charge of all his books, telephone, time-roll, and general office work. So far I had used no material means for my release, simply trusting in divine Love, and was certain I would be protected. The day came for me to go before the Board of Pardons. As I was admitted to their room one of the members asked me a few questions and I answered him truthfully. Finally he said."— I have been a member of the Board of Pardons for a number of years, and I have here in my hand some of the best letters I ever received about any man in this prison." And after looking up my case they could not find that I had been dishonest, and from other remarks I knew I was going to be pardoned, vindicated, and my demonstration made. Oh, how grateful to God I did feel for His loving-kindness, and to know that in a few days I should once more take the place in the world that unfortunate circumstances had robbed me of I soon received official notice that my pardon was granted, but I kept reading the more earnestly. I now must have some reliable person to sign my release. He was soon found and I came out a free man in every sense of the word. Love was constantly looking out for me, as two different firms in whose employ I had been were waiting to give me a position. I at once went to work for one of them, and so I say with the Revelator, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away."
