Back in 1738, London’s main prison was called Newgate. Charles Wesley (later to be the great Christian hymn writer) frequently went there, preaching to those prisoners sentenced to death. On one occasion Charles was even locked in overnight in order to pray with and comfort prisoners.
In his Journal, Wesley tells about a poor man who was condemned to die for his many crimes. Wesley told him of “one who came down from heaven to save the lost and him in particular.” Wesley led this man to faith in Christ. After Wesley served this man Communion, he accompanied the man to the gallows. The assurance of salvation was etched on the new convert’s face. Because of his new friend’s faith, Wesley penned, “That hour under the gallows was the most blessed hour of my life!”
Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, Tarbell’s Teacher’s Guide, by Frank S. Mead