A Letter from Prison
The following account is a quotation from a letter signed by 150 recruits in the prison of Petrovaradin as they wrote to brethren in Switzerland.
They arrested us on the third day after calling us to arms. They did so because we could not carry guns nor swear oaths. Then they locked us into a low, narrow, dirty room with a wet floor. We wondered what would become of us, and we were sad until a brother began to sing:
The following account is a quotation from a letter signed by 150 recruits in the prison of Petrovaradin as they wrote to brethren in Switzerland.
They arrested us on the third day after calling us to arms. They did so because we could not carry guns nor swear oaths. Then they locked us into a low, narrow, dirty room with a wet floor. We wondered what would become of us, and we were sad until a brother began to sing:
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We thank Thee precious Saviour dear,
That we are not left weary, As poor neglected orphans here On lonely ways so dreary. ‘Mid people strange, in foreign land And where our speed has no demand, As foolish ones regarded. Nay not as orphans stand we here. To us, o Lord, at all times near Thy presence is accorded. Zion’s Harp #204 |
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After this hymn, the words of the Saviour came into our minds: “Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Then some officers came to us wondering why we sang and what kind of people we were.
Afterward, they brought us to Petrovaradin into the prison, where they have kept us to this day. As many as 34 men occupy one room. At first, we had to sleep on the bare boards, but now conditions have somewhat improved.
On the Lord’s Day we have meetings in the morning and in the afternoon, and during the week we meet three times—on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday evening. In the meetings, we go to the Living Fountain that quenches our thirst. There we find the Living Bread and know that he who eats of it will live forever.
Heritage of Faith, page 158
Afterward, they brought us to Petrovaradin into the prison, where they have kept us to this day. As many as 34 men occupy one room. At first, we had to sleep on the bare boards, but now conditions have somewhat improved.
On the Lord’s Day we have meetings in the morning and in the afternoon, and during the week we meet three times—on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday evening. In the meetings, we go to the Living Fountain that quenches our thirst. There we find the Living Bread and know that he who eats of it will live forever.
Heritage of Faith, page 158