Steve P. Holcombe, the Converted Gambler Part 9

_Dear Brother_:

How grateful I am to you for all your kindness G.o.d alone knows.

I may and do lack education and refinement, but I will not allow myself under any circ.u.mstances to lack grat.i.tude. The results of our meetings prove to me that it is the work of the Holy Ghost.

Of course, I could hardly believe you would come to Louisville even for a little while and not come to see me, one who has cost you so much of time and care. There was a time when I could not have stood it. But thanks to G.o.d I am now above letting small things or great things upset me. Give my love to your dear family.

Yours truly,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., February 3, 1884.

_Dear Brother_:

How I do wish you could have been where you could have looked in on us last night. The room was full. They had to be turned away from the door. And they were so anxious to hear the glad tidings. No carpet, nothing to deaden the sound and yet you could have heard a pin drop. All the churches are feeling the results of our work. Yesterday G. H. joined the Christian church. He seems to be a thoroughly converted man, if I know one. P. D., whom you know, came in here about a week ago under the influence of liquor. Said "I am an infidel and a drunkard.

Pray for me." We did pray for him. He has been coming ever since. He is now perfectly sober and says he was never so moved before. These are two out of many cases.

Yours truly,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., February 7, 1884.

_Dear Brother_:

Your kind favor received. P. D. comes every night and sometimes speaks. He is not drinking. He says he can not believe. He does so pitifully and pleadingly ask for the prayers of Christian people. He is in earnest. Pray for him.

C. T. testified last night. He was a schoolmate of yours. He said: "For the last five years, when I would meet Brother Holcombe, I would say to myself: 'I wish he would say good day, and pa.s.s on.' But he would not. He generally had something to say about the way I was living. Of late, every time he has met me he has invited me to the Mission. I would promise to go, but went, instead, to some bar-room, until I wound up by losing my position, being sent to the work-house, and being left by a loving wife. Two weeks ago he met me again, and this time I kept my promise. I have been coming every night since, and have not touched liquor since, and by G.o.d's help I do not expect to do so any more. I enjoy the meetings so much. The two hours I spend here seem so short."

G. H. never misses a night. He is in the room with me now singing, "Happy Day, When Jesus Washed My Sins Away." And he is happy. Although in the last four years he has spent thirty thousand dollars in riotous living, and although his wife has left him, he said to me: "Brother Holcombe, I believe I am as happy as I ever was in my life." I asked him, why? He said: "Because I have something which I never had when I had wife, child and money. I have the forgiveness of sins and the friends.h.i.+p of G.o.d."

I said: "You will have to watch the devil or he will get you in his power again."

"Yes," he replied, "the devil told me when I first began to come to this Mission that I was too mean, and my heart was too dead ever to get religion; but I fought him on my knees and I got the victory. I know how hard it was to get, and by the help of G.o.d I am going to keep it, whether I ever have wife or child or money again."

Pray for me, that I may make no mistake in my difficult work.

Yours, as ever,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., February 13, 1884.

_Dear Brother_:

I did just what you suggested; though I was disappointed I did not show it. G.o.d is helping me to give up my preferences. I am trusting in the Lord, and sweetly singing

"Oh, to be nothing, nothing, Only as led by His hand; A messenger at His gateway, Only waiting for His command."

I am willing to preach on the streets, at the Mission, at Walnut-street church, or I am willing to be door-keeper--anything for Christ.

So you heard that I am improving in preaching. Well, I do believe that I shall yet learn how to preach.

I had a letter requesting me to go to Nicholasville to preach. But I can not go. I feel I have a little, humble work to do in Louisville, and I am going to do it. The mission men are all doing well. Though to you I may seem very weak, I am to them what you are to me. Yours, etc.,

S. P. HOLCOMBE.

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., May 1, 1884.

_Dear Brother_:

Yours to hand. I do not think you negligent. I know you love me, and I know you love the cause of Christ for which I am laboring, and I know you will do all you can to help me to help it. I am surprised, not at what you don't do, but at what you do do.

I suppose you saw in the paper what a handsome thing they did for us in the way of giving us a fifty-dollar parlor set, a fine Brussels carpet, a large walnut book-case and many other articles, including a fine portrait of dear Brother Morris.

Even for this donation and for all the love shown me by these good people I am indebted to you. "Jesus must needs go through Samaria" to save the woman at the well. You must needs be sent to Portland church to save and instruct and guide Steve Holcombe. This morning I prayed nearly an hour before breakfast, and it was lucky for me I did. Something came up at noon that would have completely upset me, but I was fortified and withstood the temptation successfully.

I am improving every way. My health is better, my memory is better. I can read my Bible more profitably than ever and I can pray better.

G.o.d grant you may have good health, length of days and all of this world's goods that may be good for you.

S. P. H.

TO THE SAME.

LOUISVILLE, KY., May 23, 1884.

_Dear Brother:_

Yours of the 16th to hand. G.o.d is so good to me. Certain temptations have come to me lately and I could not have borne them but for His help. I talked at the church last Sunday night in the absence of Dr. Messick. I felt so humble, it seemed a privilege to be treated shamefully that I might have an opportunity of showing that a Christian can give up his own rights for the good of others. I have grown in grace since you showed me the necessity of secret prayer and of getting so well acquainted with G.o.d that he would become more real to me than my own father ever was.

You have seen in the papers poor D. T.'s attempt at suicide. But G.o.d has spared him yet another season. He will recover. Pray for him. May G.o.d bless you and strengthen you and keep you is the prayer of