Out of Crime Into Christ

[New York, 1940. Near fine.. 32pp. Original dark gray wrappers stamped in blue. Very minor toning. A very rare autobiographical pamphlet in which Billy Roberts, an African American minister, recounts his life of addiction, alcoholism, and crime and his redemption in 1932 when he opens his "heart's door" to Jesus Christ while living down and out in Seattle. Roberts apparently hosted a weekly radio show on Saturday nights on station WOV 1280 in New York City. In addition to his inspirational "Life Story," which begins with his birth in Cincinnati, the present work contains the lyrics to two of Reverend Roberts favorite songs, "Rock of Ages" and "You Can Smile," as well as three photographs of the author - an early mugshot and two later portraits of Roberts, one which also features his wife. OCLC records just a single copy, at Fuller Theological Seminary.