The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-04-27

RELIGION IN THE PESITENrIARY--CoNpIT
OF TIE PrNII ENTlAKY SrHpAY SCHOOL,
Jeremiah WillettS, Colonel &. y. Mumlord.
and Major Charles s. GalllnGtrn, teachers OF
the sunday school for convicts i,tught at the
pcnitentiary, presented at the annual meet
Ing Of the teachers OF that school Ill interest
ing REPORT concerning its origin. prospects,
and present condition..
1t appears that the school was instituted
during the administration Of Superintendent
Pendlcton. 4 gentleman who had witnessed
the effects produced on prisoners Of otherSimi-
lar institutions was induced to make the trial
here in the Richmond penitcntiary. Applics.-
ton was made TO Governor Peirpoint for pe:-
mission which met his cordial assent, and
in tie subsequent proceedings Supcrintend-
ent Pcndieton co0pcratcd. A supply OF
spoilers and primers was obtained through
the bcncvolence Of the American Tract AS>o-
citation. At that time the prisoners were
mostly confined in their cells for want of
work, and the teaching was commenced i'll
the separate cells. IN the first cell entered
were five boys, one of whom could spell 4
little. He was appointed 4 teacher of the
others, and Il primer put i'll his hand. In
like manner every cell was visited and teach
ers appointed where needed, and primer OF
visiting and teaching it was cheering to wit
ness the progress made. The visits being
continued day by day, in few months num-
bers of the prisoners could read intelligihly.
Bibles and other books We're subsequently
placed in each cell. Work having been OBJ
tanned for the prisoners, the eeli teaching
became less effective. An application was
then made to the Governor for permission
to open Sabbath school. The request WAS
granted, and Superintendent Pendleton
joined in the opening exercises. Volunteer
teachers from among the prisoners were APP
pointed with Bible, &C., for class-bookS. III.
nally the school was regularly organized by
the appointment ofoliicerS and the adoption
Of rules ard regulations on the Sd Of March,
1870. 1t was decided at tile meeting of the
teachers on that day that the school should
be conducted oil the usual plan adopted i'll
the evangelical churches of this city. The
order of exercises consisted OF hymns, prayer,
reading the Scriptures, recitation in the
classes one hour, and religious addresses or
lectures. The services in the school gener-
ally extended from 5 to . O'clock in the
afternoon. Numerous donations of. good
books have since been made by societies and
individuals with good results,
The report poncudes SIS follows
"i'ne evidence uclulc us vi improvement
in mental culture and religious feeling, to-
rcthcr with the accounts we hear from some
of the discharged prisoners, encourages us
to greater efforts in bshalf Of Elle sfhopi: we
are satisfied that faithful presentation OF
gospel truth is the best instrunentallty tor
the reformation of criminals, Each convict
reformed srom the error of his ways con-
tributes to the protection Of every good cltl-
zen, and relieves him Of q burden WMch
would otherwise increase. The annais OF
crime throughout 9nr lapa shoW the
importance Of teforniatory as OF pre-
yentiye measures for its repression;
Believing that reformed prisoners need
a guiding hand after their discharge.
when they are met by their old asso-
ciates ia crime, aII are subjected TO tempta;
tions peculiar To their condition, we Wonia
invoke the aid of the benevolent everywhere
to lend helping hand in this coed WoEk:
We invite the philanthropist, and especiallY
Christians, 10 cooperate with us IN sustaining
our Sabbath school. sIs Efa
''The usual attendance at the saDDath
school is about 275, ,ofswhich 100 are Wil'ss
and 175 colored. 1t Is important 10 the sue
cess Of the school that the humber OF teachers
should be Increased, An addition OF at
least twelve Intelligent Christian teachers is
now needed" ..>, +, Sic
BRICK TAKING --~Ihere has neFerafeensa
r1~ fnp 1xIriIf Sralyf