UNSEARCHABLE RICHES, SEPTEMBER, 1925
BEING THE FIFTH NUMBER OF VOLUME SIXTEEN

THE CONVERSION OF CONVICT C.

Adolph E. Knoch

ABOUT a year ago the newspapers were lurid with head lines telling of a daring bank robbery, followed by the killing of an officer of the law. Feeling ran rather high, as the young murdered man was a veteran of the World War, with a distinguished record. One of the two robbers turned State's evidence, confessed his part in the robbery, but denied having fired the shot which caused the death of the officer who tried to arrest them. He put the blame for this on his accomplice (whom we will call C.) who, notwithstanding his protestations, and for lack of any evidence in his favor, was found guilty and condemned to be hanged.

Mr. A., a friend of the writer, was out of employment at the time, so bought a paper to look through the advertisements. The desperate case of convict C. appealed to him strongly, so he wrote him a letter, telling him that, whether innocent or guilty, Christ died for just such a fellow as he was, and urged him to memorize the statement found in Romans 10:9,10, that "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved, for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." But he had no copy of Paul's epistles handy, so sent a copy of John's gospel and a few tracts. This caused some confusion, which was graciously overruled by God.

It so happens that the tenth verse of the tenth chapter of John's gospel was thus directed to C's attention, and through it he was turned to God. We would not have chosen that verse. Indeed, it was a blunder on his part to turn to John to look up the passage in Romans, but God's wisdom is most manifest in human weakness and sin. It is probable that, as C. was convicted of stealing and killing and destroying, and was about to suffer death, the astonishing contrast enabled him to see the Christ Who did not come to do these things, but to give life--abundant life. Thus it is that God reveals Himself. The crimes of a man form the dark background for His grace, and his ignorance focuses the light on the darkest spot, and, by contrast, reveal the heart of the loving God. The following letter, written at this time, gives us his blessed experience in his own words.

Mr. A.

Dear Friend:
I received your most comforting letter yesterday and being a stranger to you I really appreciate the interest you have shown in me. I was very glad for the advice that you gave in your letter. I have been in doubt about ever gaining my salvation, but since reading the Gospel of St. John, chapter 10, verse 10, I feel comforted for I see that there is hope no matter what we do if we are willing to repent and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour. Up to the time I got your first letter I did not trust or believe anyone except my wife and my mother but now life has an entirely different outlook since reading a few verses of the Scripture and studying their meaning. The 10:10 verse of St. John, "The thief cometh not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." That is the chapter that first caused me to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. For in that I saw where there was hope for me and so has given me courage to try hard for my salvation. Since reading that chapter I have prayed and I want to tell you, kind friend, I have certainly had a load lifted from my shoulders. My mind is more at ease. I have never been afraid to die but I never have had to think of it, but now that I have to think of leaving this world I want to leave it with a feeling that I have been forgiven for my wrong doing. And the way I feel now, after putting all my trust and hope in the Almighty, I feel that I can die with love and trust for everything and everybody. That is something I would never have done if I had never been reading the Scriptures. You asked me if I would declare the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior. Yes, I will with all my heart and soul, for the feeling has come to me that I have been forgiven for my sins. I am truly thankful to you for sending me the means of peace to my heart and soul. I feel now that I can die with a smile, knowing that I am going to a greater happiness and glory than man can hope to have on earth. I will write you again soon telling you how I am getting along. I also send my wife's and mother's thanks for what you have done for me.

Yours very truly,
C.

Who would ever dream that this was written by one who still had the reputation of being one of the nerviest of desperadoes? But a short time before, when his lack of money threatened to interfere with his marriage, he coolly went away on what he called a "deal" for two days, robbed a bank, and came back with ample funds. His previous experience in a penitentiary had only hardened him. His conduct in this case had stamped him as incorrigible. Now one simple truth from the word of the living God melts his hard heart and transforms him into a trusting, inoffensive little child, which has been found by its Father.

Realizing that his time was short, he gave himself whole-heartedly to the study of the Scriptures and sought to share his joy with others, by writing to his relatives, telling them of his new-found satisfaction, and urging them to partake of it with him. Mr. A. had told me of his case, and I took special delight in sending him portions of the Scriptures, especially Paul's epistles. I prize very highly the following letter which he sent me at this time:

Mr. A. E. Knoch

Dear Sir:
I received some bits of Scripture also a letter some time ago. Today I received Paul's epistles which I wanted very much. I want to thank you for sending them. The way you explain the meaning of different chapters has proved very helpful to me. I have only been studying the Scriptures about three months, so you can see how very useful your works are to me. Our mutual friend, Mr. A., started me to reading and studying God's Word and he has helped and advised me in every way to learn as much as I possibly can in a very short time. I don't know just how long I have yet, but any-thing you care to send, that you think will help me in my studying of the Scriptures, I will be only too glad to get. May God bless you for your good works and keep you.

Sincerely yours,
C.

His desperate desire to get wealth still continued unabated, but now it was for the true riches, for which he need rob no one, and of which no one could rob him. It is, alas, too true, that men in his case who have money are often able to cheat the hangman. But no amount of this world's wealth could ever give the peace the joy, the satisfaction, which enabled him to face death so calmly and triumphantly.

From this time on he gave himself almost wholly to the study of Paul's epistles, and all the passages most dear to him, which he afterwards requested to be read at his grave, were learned and loved while alone in his cell with the writings of the apostle of the gentiles. His growth in the new life is evident from the following passage from a letter written to Mr. A. at this time:

Mr. A.

Dear Friend:...I notice a great change in the things I think about. The old desires don't seem to hold much interest any more. But I think that with a bit of encouragement I shall be able to go out of this old world with a smile and feeling of peace after all. I find more and more when I feel discouraged or blue, I turn to the Scriptures or my prayers for comfort. And for that comfort, I owe you a great deal, for it was you that started me to reading the Scriptures. You encouraged me to trust in the "Lord Jesus Christ" and to have faith. Well, I am doing so more and more every day. Many thanks for all you have done for me and also for the kindly advice you gave. Hoping this finds you in better health, I will close. I am one who is trying hard, and finding happiness and comfort for the effort.

May God bless you for your help.
C.

Several became interested in him and sent him letters and literature, among whom was Mrs. L., whose correspondence he greatly prized, and who managed to visit him personally as well. Among his early letters to her, the following will show his eagerness to learn, and the great strides which he had already made in the knowledge of God. He has come to rest serenely in Him:

My Dear Mrs. L:

I received your kind and encouraging letter last Saturday. I am always glad to hear from anyone who is interested in the Lord's work. It was a real pleasure to read your letter. Outside of Mr. A., there is not anyone I receive letters from that expresses the feeling that your letter does. Mr. A. probably told you that I was only a beginner. But for his encouraging advice, I might never have started studying God's Word, but now that I know that we are promised life, and life more abundantly when we depart from the flesh, if we will only believe His blessed Word. I am more anxious than ever before to find out all I can about God's Word. It is the most interesting study I have ever undertaken. The more I read the Scriptures the stronger my faith is, and the more I want to read them.

The Scriptures have been proven true so many times and in so many different ways that now I don't see how anyone can doubt God's Word if they will only take the time to read the Scriptures and study them. All things past, and to come, are there for us to read. That is such a small thing for us to do to gain eternal life. But there are so many like I used to be who think they haven't time. Now that I look back over my life, there was always time, and to spare. I thank God that I found out before it was too late. Now whether my life in the flesh be short, or long, in years, I can feel happy when the time draws near and God calls me. I realize now that every thing is done for our own good, no matter what it is. The chances are that if I had not got into this trouble, it might have been a long time before I would have started to read and believe God's Word. So, I consider that I have gained by this added experience in the flesh.

I wish I could talk with you personally, but that is impossible now, but I hope you will again find time to write me a few words. I read the pamphlets you sent, and by the time I am called, I feel sure I can say I'm travelling first class. All things are possible for God, according to His will. I will be saved and know it before I depart from the flesh.

I thank you for writing to me, and may God bless you and reward you for the good you have done.

This letter clearly shows the marvelous transformation going on in his spiritual life. It was natural, at first, that he should dwell on his past, and speak of forgiveness as the height of his expectations. Now he is beginning to learn the great truth of justification. He justifies God in regard to his past, and is thankful for the very doom that darkens his future. He learns that God can justify his life and transmute his evil deeds into just ones. Strange to say, it is comparatively simple for those acquainted with crime to enter into God's thoughts on such themes. He learned that pardon or forgiveness was out of the question in the spiritual sphere as well as in the physical. The governor of the State was unable to extend a pardon because the law forbade it to those with his record. Of course, no judge could justify him and remain just himself. But right here he found that God could actually acquit him, really vindicate him in every act of his life, positively justify him by the blood of Christ. Had he taken life? God would restore it to his victim in the resurrection. Had he harmed and robbed? God will not only requite every one who had suffered at his hands, but actually will convert his crimes into a means of blessing to them. This was far more than the forgiveness of his sins, which might leave an eternal stain. He was not out on a spiritual parole. He was free! No prison walls menaced his spirit. He was beyond the reach of condemnation. How blessed, how miraculous, for one in his terrible plight, to rejoice in God as he did! Show his letter to anyone who knows nothing of his case, and ask them what kind of a man could write it. Is it the groan of the condemned? Is it the plaint of the man who is about to ascend the scaffold? Nay! It is the exultant cry of one who has found the living God, and whose spirit has borne him above the terrible tragedy in which he is the chief actor.

His few friends in the faith had learned to love him, and it seemed so pitiful that he should die so soon. He himself did not share this feeling, and was quite reconciled to death. The case was appealed. His behavior in court was a convincing testimony to the reality of his conversion. While he steadfastly clung to his innocence as to the murder, as charged, he voluntarily bared all his past, including the murder of his employer while he was still a boy, and his escape from the penitentiary, besides other crimes. This record was against him, and made it legally impossible to procure a pardon. Several wrote to the governor and other officials, seeking a temporary reprieve, especially as there was a faint possibility of the passage of a law abolishing capital punishment. But the law was not enacted. All earthly hope fled. But he did not lose hope, he luxuriated in it. The following is part of a letter he wrote to A:

Dear Brother A:

...Sister L. says everything points to the Lord's coming soon, more and more every day. All the prophecies of Paul are coming to pass. There can't be a very long time left for the fanatics to prove their ideas true about making this a righteous world. But I thank God than I can now welcome the Lord's coming with a smile. I thank God, dear brother, that you took an interest in me when you did. That was God's will also, because I don't believe you are personally interested in any of the other boys here. By His grace we will all be happy some time soon. And it can't come too soon to suit me. Sister L. can't seem to understand why I have no desire to live, but when we meet before "our Lord" many things will be clear that confound us now. May the grace of God be with you now and forever.

I am your brother in His name, C.

Having so clearly learned the lesson of the third and fourth chapters of Paul's epistle to the Romans, he was prepared to enjoy the fifth chapter. How quickly he entered into the peace there provided may be seen from the following letter, which I count among my special treasures:

Mr. Knoch,

Dear Sir:
I received the book, "Divine Mysteries," also the pamphlets you sent with it, for which I sincerely thank you.

Mrs. L. told me that she was having you send it, and asked me to read first beginning page 35, on "Exhortation to Peace." I found that you express or translate the wonderful truths of God's Word in such a way that it is easily understood, also in a very helpful way for a beginner, such as myself. Then I read "The Conciliation of Mankind." I learned from it that Adam was the cause of our being counted sinners in God's sight; then the blessed Lord Jesus Christ died that we might once more be in direct touch with God. He, "Christ" brought about the conciliation between God and ourselves.

I know you are busy and I shall not take up too much of your valuable time, sufficient to say, your efforts have succeeded greatly in helping me study the Word, and I sincerely hope many others will benefit the same as I have by them.

I am sure that you will succeed, in turning any who read your publications to the right way of understanding God's wishes.

I thank you for all you have done for me by way of reading matter. And may your every effort to get people to turn to God be rewarded in full measure.

Sincerely yours in the blessed hope,
C.

A few weeks before the date set for his execution, while it was on my heart, I noticed a short item in the press, telling of the hanging of three men in the same penitentiary where C. was. In my frame of mind the item was very striking. Two of the men went calmly and bravely to their fate, but one man struggled and created great confusion. I wondered what the reason was. A little later I spoke of it to W. H. B., one of C.'s very dear friends, and found that C. had been evangelizing among the doomed men, and had the immense satisfaction of leading six of them to the Saviour! The two men who were so calm were two of these. The man who made such an uproar repulsed all his advances and would not hear of Christ. But his stubborn spirit left him an utter coward at the last.

The best index of his spiritual history in the fruitful though brief period which still remained is a list of the passages of scripture which he desired read at his funeral. This comprised three whole chapters and three other passages of some length. Very few of the great and good of earth have so much glorious truth given out at their graves. We hope each one will read these scriptures and ponder the amazing fact that they were the chief treasures of one who only a few months before was an outlaw and a desperado.

The whole of Romans eight was read, from "There is therefore now no condemnation...", to the end where nothing "shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." The second chapter of first Corinthians was food for his spirit. In it he learned of those things which "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."

His special delight was the first of Ephesians. I was told that he memorized the whole of it, down to the eleventh verse of the second chapter, as it is in the CONCORDANT VERSION. No greater or more glorious thoughts were ever penned than these. They are almost beyond human understanding. Yet C., when he should still be feeding on milk, was eagerly devouring such solid food as few life-long students of the Bible can bear!

Colossians 1:11-24, the companion passage, was also read. What a marvelous vista it gives of God's ultimate purpose for all creation! It does not seem possible that C. could have grasped the supernal grandeur of this, the highest revelation made known to man, but so it seems to be.

The last passage which he wished read at his burial was 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. What more appropriate one could be found? He was not dreading death, but anticipating the coming of Christ and his awakening to meet Him at His return. The last words are singularly in tune with his spirit at the end: "Wherefore, comfort one another with these words." Instead of his friends seeking to soothe him, he did his utmost to comfort them!

As reported in the press, his last message to his wife and his mother was, "Be of good cheer. I leave with faith in God. Love." It was also reported that "he was declared by his guards to be in better spirits than any man who had ever occupied the death cell. He is in better shape than the guards." They did not know his secret, and could not but marvel at his demeanor.

Perhaps the closest and dearest of his spiritual brethren, especially at the last, was W. H. B., the leader of a little Bible class, not far from the penitentiary. Him he chose to be with him on the night before his execution and to go with him to the scaffold. The following is the last letter written to him by C.

My Dear Walter:

All of your wonderful letters have been received and in them God's love and the love of our dear Lord is shown in a true spirit of one that is of His body, by His grace.

It makes me very happy to have known you; though it is but a short time, every moment has been precious; and now that we are looking forward with greater and more earnest expectation for our Lord and Savior to come, we are all more cheerful. All life seems to have taken on a brighter side, because we can see His wonderful love shining every where. My dear W., I have but a very short time to write this, so I shall also include in this little note my sincere appreciation to the members of the class that so kindly and lovingly remembered me with their prayers. May God bless you each and every one and let you, during the short stay necessary on the earth in this life, know the feeling of great peace and love, of happiness that, by His grace, I now feel with only a few short hours to stay here in the flesh.

My hope is very soon to say, as Paul did: "I have fought a good fight;" now I shall leave it all up to our Lord. I shall trust willingly and with confidence myself into God's loving hands, for there through Christ Jesus I may find peace from my weary journey. Always look for our Lord's return with praying and patience.

Please express my fervent Christian love to Mrs. D. and my appreciation of her letters. May the grace of God be with you all now, and let us meet soon in the presence of our Savior.

Lovingly, to all,
C.

Soon after C. was laid to rest I received the following letter from W. H. B. Unfeeling though I naturally am, it was hard to keep back the tears--whether of joy or sorrow I hardly know.

My Dear Brother:

I know you are deeply interested in the events of the past few days, and I am taking the first available opportunity to write you in regard to the matter. I do not need to remind you that from the very first when our dear Brother C. heard the glorious truth his faith never wavered and he knew God's grace had saved him. You recall a brother sent to him while in prison a tract, followed by some publications of the CONCORDANT VERSION. This was sometime last fall after he had been sentenced to be hanged.

The Lord intervened and an appeal was made, and his death deferred. Brother C. was on trial for murder, in connection with a bank robbery and holdup. He had an accomplice who was given a life sentence, and he was sentenced to hang. At the trial he told the judge he did not fire the shot that killed the man, but he knew he would be convicted, and his only request was to make it as soon as possible. Then of his own volition, after the knowledge of God's grace filled his heart, he voluntarily confessed the past, telling things and identifying himself with crimes that were not known to have been committed by him. He gave forth evidence in writing and orally without restraint that he might show beyond doubt that God's grace alone was his reliance.

The Lord used mightily a member of our little Bible class and with this assistance Brother C. went forward in the truth in a most marvelous way. We soon got into touch with him, and his letters were wonderful as they revealed his knowledge of the Word of God and dispensational truths. The thing that was so grand to us all was the fact that while he readily grasped the glorious truth of the grand consummation, when all would eventually be reconciled to God, as the beloved apostle Paul revealed, still his ardent desire was not to wait for that but to know what God has revealed for us, the body of Christ. Oh, how he drank in the truths of the apostle Paul's writings, and what unutterable joy came into his heart and life as he learned that he stood acquitted before God through the blood of Christ, his Saviour!

Dear brother, from that moment, there was no longer a convicted criminal in that prison, but a most devoted servant of Christ, and one burning with zeal for the truth and the most marvelous minister of the grace of God it has ever been my privilege to see in the flesh. Daily he grew in grace and advanced in knowledge, so hungry for the truth that nothing else absorbed his attention. He wished to be considered a member of our little class, and he was always with us in thought and spirit.

For a time no one appeared to know at the prison that he was a changed man, but such a transformation could not fail to be a witness, and gradually the guards and attendants saw something in the face of this ambassador of Christ that stamped him as belonging to God, and they voluntarily acknowledged it.

Dear brother, I will not take time to go into details. Of course, the adversary assailed him, and brought experiences to bear that were severe testing, but God's grace sustained always will. I feel like stopping right here, and preaching a whole sermon about the triumphant, sublime fact that God's grace triumphs over everything and will, stopping at nothing, culminate in the righting of every wrong and the reconciling of the universe to God. Brother C. grew and grew and grew, the transformation being the most marvelous exhibition of God's grace possible to see. Occasionally some one of us would get a little impatient and prone to criticize the justice of the law, and the attitude of those at the prison, and his face would light up with a smile of heavenly radiance, and he would say "Dear ones, aren't you ashamed? It has all led me to see and know and feel the grace of God, and I thank Him for it all." And, brother, he did. One thing came near breaking the warden down. After the execution was over, he received a letter from brother C. thanking him for all his kindness, and of those in attendance and praying God's blessing on them all.

As the end drew near, he grew calmer and calmer. When his loved ones met him, he comforted them and urged them to look to God, and did all in his power to help them see God's grace. I tried, in His strength to assist them, and they are touched mightily. Brother C. wished, oh so much, that I could be with him as much as possible the last two days after his relatives were shut out and he was taken to the death room. It seemed as if at first the adversary were going to be successful in keeping me out--yet I knew God would order and arrange it all. But a stirring appeal was made to the warden, and he gave me the utmost consideration. He was very kind. I went to our dear brother. Nothing can make me forget the radiance of that face and the joy of that countenance. How we lived those hours of fellowship, how we feasted together on the glorious things of God! A minister was with us and he voluntarily said he learned things from the lips of that beloved brother he had never seen before. This was Thursday evening, the day before the execution. I need not tell you I did not sleep that night; but there was no sorrow, no doubts. No, I did not for one instant doubt that God would give him grace the next morning to walk to the gallows, and I did not doubt that He would give me grace to go with him to the very last. In prayers, communion and deepest love we were together, although I was not permitted to be in the cell with him. Our little class were praying for him, many of them watching in spirit with us through the long, weary, and yet precious, hours of that night.

Morning came. I went to his cell. Brother, it was not a cell; it was a hallowed place where the Lord met us by His spirit, and touched our hearts. Brother C. greeted me with a tender, loving smile. He had been writing most of the night, and he had been looking for me.

Tenderly together we went over every detail of the funeral arrangements. He selected the scriptures to be read by the minister who had been with him and had been so kind to him, and was so beloved by the family. He wished me, however, to tell those present the glorious truth of God's grace and he wanted as nearly as possible his own words to be used. He chose the hymns to be sung and did not omit the minutest detail. He said, "Don't sing a hymn last, for that has a little tendency to sadden. After you have made clear my peace and joy in knowing I am His, and to be with Him when He comes to claim His body, then tell them of the wonderful time when all things shall be reconciled to God, and the entire universe filled with the love of God--no death, no suffering, no pain. Be sure to leave that with my dear mother and family."

We prayed; we drank the cup of sweet fellowship of God's word; we rejoiced together. His heart beat next to mine in unspeakable, unutterable fellowship and love. His face actually shone with the radiance of God's truth. He said, "Dear brother, I want every one to know I have no nerve. (He had been regarded as a youth of most terrible daring and coolest nerve). That has gone. I am going by the grace of God. I know He will be with me every step of the way." Suddenly his face lighted up and he said, "Do you suppose they would let me say a word on the scaffold?" An appeal had been made to grant him this privilege, and the written words our brother desired to say had been sent to the warden. I replied, "Dear brother, God will direct, and His name shall be glorified, and the witness will be given as He thinks best. Are you content?" His face turned to mine and with absolute composure and submission he said, "I know that He will grant it, or give the witness in His own way."

A moment more of sweet, heavenly fellowship, the guards came and we left the room. As he mounted the steps he cast a smile to us. A few seconds, and he fell asleep to be called forth in that wonderful morning when we shall with him meet the Lord "In the air." In calm assurance I waited until the pulse stopped beating, and with feelings and sensations I can never express, I left. As I waited in the waiting room, I heard a reporter transmit over the telephone wire to the papers, the very words our dear brother wished to say on the scaffold. "Warden wishes us to deliver to the world C.'s last words: `Tell all who are interested, and especially those who witnessed my execution, that I found God; I know Christ; I have absolute peace; and go with nothing in my heart but love for all, and joy in my blessed hope."

We laid him away the next day. I gave to his loved ones the words of comfort we both loved so well. I enclose the list of scriptures he had read by the minister. I sang, with no semblance of the deep anguish and yet contentment in my own heart, the songs he wished me to sing. With tender memory of those last sweet hours I placed the flowers over his grave, and left him there to rest.

I feel you will rejoice to get these lines, dear brother, and will thank God that He used your ministry in writing the precious truths from His Word that brought unutterable joy to this heart.

Yours in unspeakable, unbreakable bonds,
Walter H. Bundy

One blessed thought in closing. C. was so exultant in the free outflow of God's unadulterated grace that he made only one request when told of our desire to tell his story to the world, and this was that no money should ever be taken for it. It must be free. He had received freely. What could he do for salvation, within prison walls, doomed to speedy death? What he did was not done to deserve salvation, but out of pure love to God. So we send forth this little token to God's glorious grace free, looking to the God of convict C. to carry on the work which He began in him, for the glory of His own gracious Name.