(One of our readers submitted the following letter from a prisoner

 (One of our readers submitted
the following letter from a prisoner. We do not know if its writer was led to
the ‘knowledge of Christ as Saviour before being imprisoned or if he was
brought to repentance later. In either case the letter affords an interesting
insight into the attitudes of convicts toward Christ.) 

 

January 9, 1966

 

Dear brother in Christ:

 

It seemed unrighteous unto me
and contrary to the love of Christ our Saviour for me to wait any longer
without writing to you in answer to your letter, and to know how you and the
brethren are getting along.

 

The Lord has just delivered me
out of a great sorrow and increasing despair. After many days had gone by, I
awoke early before daybreak the other morning, and the Holy Spirit led me in a
humble prayer unto God our Father. After praying unto Him in the name of Jesus
Christ our Saviour about this thing, I received strength and deliverance. Oh
what a wonderful Saviour and mighty to deliver!

 

As I continue to walk in Christ
my Lord, He is teaching me certain things as He allows me to taste a bit of the
suffering He endured from the reproach of men while He walked here below. And
as I continue in the midst of increasing blasphemy and hatred of men against
God and His Christ, some of them are aiming their arrows of reproach at me also
because they see and know that I am a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ.
In times past it seemed hard for me to bear His reproach, until the Lord
reminded me of His great suffering for my sins on Calvary and also how His
apostles and many of His saints suffered greatly for His sake. Now I realize
that my affliction is very light, and that this blessed fellowship with the
Lord is to be received thankfully and joyfully.

 

Brother, one of the sad things
to behold here is how men become so grieved at the mention of Christ in the way
of salvation. As I long after their souls to be saved, many are expressing
their views in the direction of casting off the very thought of Him. Is this
evil manifested also out there where you are?

 

Oh what a mercy and a blessing
it will be when the Lord comes and gathers us from this tedious scene unto
Himself! But His longsuffering truly is salvation.

 

Give my love to the brethren.
Please answer soon. Farewell.

 

Love
from your brother in Jesus Christ, (signed) Theodore McNeil, No. 18534