New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-07-01

To The EcrtoT cf The " Y. Tribune
SIR: 1t was my privilege, on Sunday last, to be
present at the religious exercises conducted at the
various charitable and penal institutions upon Black
wells Island and as these exercises contained some
novel features account of them may not be un-
interesting to your readers On the day ia question:
a party Of musical gentlemen paid visit to the
Island for the purpose of esssyng the power of song in
soothing and comforting the hearts Of the poor and
afflicted and in touching and -oftening those of the
guilty and obdurate.
There is something sngulary impressive in the
appearance Of this island taken in connection with its
uses and its surroundings. Midway between the OPP
posite shores smiling with peace plenty, and all which
can externally contribute to human happiness, sur
rounded by what seems an earthly paradise, there il
lies, with its grand and imposing architectural piles,
monume Its indeed OF human charity and human JUS
nee yet painfully associated with the most dreadful
ills of hfe-poverty sickness madness and crime. On
this beautiful Sabbath however, thanks TO the nsplra
ton which sent kind-hearted men to minister to the
children Of and guilt, many of the harsher and
stener features OF human misery here presented wore
mtigated aspect.
There were ihree different services held in as many
separate departments OF the public Institutions the
rs IL the Chapel Of the Pentsniisry where upon the
arrival Of the visitors were found assembled the i'll
mates of tie prison, numbering about four hundred
males and two hundred females. Il was q solemn spec
tace. those six hundred human countenances among
which the eye sought in vain the light Of d sin-e .ne
one .ay OF cheerful hope. After the customary pre-
liuusry exercises, the " Accidental" sang several
sacred pieces, which followed by some Of those
simple and touching songs tie rendering Of which With
feeling and much musical taste constitutes the Pc
culiarity Of this Association. whose motto is I" Do
Good and whose talent is entirely cousecrated 10 Civ
lpg II practical effect.
Those who have little faith IL efforts made Tor the
tioma;.on Of criminals long hardened in sn aud who
regard them as almost beyond the pale of human
sympathy, being whom ak the kindly aft cous
Of our naiu!e have died out would have been suprs
ed 10 wiiLess The effect Of these songs. The tender
emotions and recolectons awakened by that known
My mother dear, recalling. as il does, days Of
ruocelce and happiness. mothers affection,
mothers couTsels and prayers, were too much t. be
w.;hsoOo by strong and guilty men, while sobs
and htes,eG their oyerw eMing power upon the
noaIt Of women who, though fallen, are women still.
Chloe mildly the erng, Snow pity, Lord. .
LORD forgive the tender consideration for the suffer
ngs Of the mos; guilty; The acknowledgment ef
a common brotherhood IT fralty, weakness AID s.oi
lie reed and the hope Of a common redemption ex-
pressed il Of these beautiful songs and the tual
appeal 10 the Goo and Father Of az contained 10 the
other; al these conveyed ~ such manner, in such
pace could ia Of their scitius;e efec; upon an
Auditory Like this, oompoted Ct wa Of degraded and
ca:casi women aId men whom Tor desperate crimes,