New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-04-15
LAY OF THE PRISONER

excellent friend OLIVER JOHNSON
LAY OF THE PRISONER
THE sigh Of the Prisoner is heard By the Lord,
Though Man. in bis pride, turns coldly away:
The Saviour of men with compassion is stirred.
when sinners in blindness His will diaobey.
Solo aud Chorus.
Pity kind gentlemen, friends OF humanity
Cold is The world TO the cries OF Gods Poor
Treat us with kindness, ye frienda OF Christianity
Give ps your love-we ask noihng more
The tear of the Prisoner is noted on high,
And God in bis mercy deals kindly with all
Then why should proud Man leave bis brother TO die
Beneath the dark shade Of the Prisons cold WALL
Pity, &c.
The prayer of the Prisoner is answered above,
When humbly he pleads for forgiveness and grace;
The greatest transgressor-O wonderful love =
Repentant may ind e EN- in Heaven place.
Pity. &c.
o welcome 10 US in our dreary abode
The voice of brother the face Of a friend
His word and his smile how they tighten our load
The choicest Of blessings on him shall descend
Solo and Chorus.
PITY, kind gentlemen friends Of humanity
Cold is The word 10 The cries OF Gods Poor
Treat ms with kindness, ye friends OF Christianity
Give us your love-we ask nothing more.
You can better conceive than I can describe the
effect of these appropriate lines sung as they were
with cenuineness of feeling which rendered it diff
cult for the singers to suppress their emotions su
6cientiy to carry the performance through. We
no longer looked upon glistening eyes and flushed
faces but the silent tears coursed down many rug
ccd and sin stricken cheek. and the swelled veins
OF many furnished brow told of the deep and long
slumbering chord which those sounds had re-
awakened in their bosoms | wished that those
who regard their fallen brethren rs brute animals
worthy only of such treatment mus, be offensive
to their Maker when inflicted even upon these
could have witnessed that scene and felt lis sacred
influences. If depraved and hardened criminals
were not proof agains. them, such persons surely
could not be-
Prison, by singing the Millennium and the Fare
we'll
In our Prison the piece first mentioned was sung
al the close of brief but appropriate and spirited
Sermon by Mr.. LucKEY. the Chaplain. You are so
well acquainted with the condition and spirit OF
things with u.s. that | need not enlarge upon the
pure and exalted pleasure that was manifest in
every coun,enance in our little Chapel Then fol-
lowed the Lay Of the Prisoner with effect
touching "a had been witnessed in the lower Chap
ell and the services were closed with the + are
we'll"
Perhaps after all, the most affecting scene occur.
red in the hospital OF the Male Prison. when the
fortunate inmates OF that place Of sickness and death
some OF them in state of gloom bordering on de-
spair and others drawing near TO the grave-were
permitted 10 listen TO the heavenly strains of these
charming minstres. IL was almost enough 10 ere
ATE soul under the ribs ofDeath The eye of the
stricken invalid moistened with tears sparked
with unwon,ed brightness, and the pallid face
seemed animated by new hope. With what touch
~o,la, oil hat tba
cant words Of Christ was sick and in prison. and
We came unto me-" A few words spoken by Mr.
Luckey on this occasion were in admirable harmo
ny with the spirit awakened by the music Such
scene. TO have its full effect must be witnessed it
canno, be adequately described.
The influence OF this visit upon the discipline Of
the Prisons can hardly be over estimated. am con
6den, it will be visible for months TO come in the
more cheerful obedience ofhe prisoners 10 the rules
OF the Institution in the diunuton OF that dulness
and isilessness observsn In all prisons and II
more serious attention 10 religious instruction Il is
BY influences such this that all necessity for the
lash may be removed as gently and efiec,ually as
the icy drapery of winter is melted away IN the
genial atmosphere Of Spring.
Not one OF our prisoners who was present al the
vis, of the other branch OF this gentle and musical
Family had forgotten any OF the pleasant incidents
of that occasion. and can scarcely tell you how
grateful thew are for this second bessingtor bless
Ing indeed i, is 10 them
And slso to US mean TO us especially who live
a, the Female Prison as officers. and are lille less
excluded from the pleasures OF society and the de-
lights afforded by st than those under our charge
In The dear,h of our social enioyments such visits
are scarcely less boon 10 US than 10 our prisoners
But you understand al that will only add tina;
the universal wish Of all here is that The Hutchin-
sons nigh, be often among Us with their gentle IN
affected manners their hearts OF harmony, and their
music so well calculated to produce such hearts IN
others. Very truly, yours.
= w FARNHAN.
Hon. J. w. EDMoNps
Ths Solo sna Chorus will be recognized parody or
th,se OF The ,se known Scnr OF the Hutchinson" Over