Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1873-02-13
OUR NASHVILLE LETTER.
The Sabbath In Nashville.

..,f .- NASHVILLE, Feb. IL.
| EDITORS CHRONICLE: One of the strong
est evidences of an advanced civilization
| is the public recognition of the institution
of the Sabbath, and rigid compliance
with its requirements. If this be true
then the city of Nashville may he regarded
us having just claims to higher order OF
| civilization, for know of no city in the
Union that has higher regard for this
day. On the 9th inst, Sunday, all the
spacious churches We're well filled with re-
spectful hearers. The young and the old
and the middle aged were in attendance
and seemed to take pleasure in the solemn
services.
The effects of this church going propen-
sity are seen in the quiet and good order
of the place. I witnessed no improprie-
ties in any quarter. The streets were al
most deserted except at the hour of attend.
ing church, when they were thronged
with men, women and children on their
way to their respective houses of worship.
Nashville can boast of a good deal of
ministerial ability. True, l know of no
very marked men, such as Beecher but,
at the same time, there is an over average
of intellectual worth among them. Per-
haps the ablest clergyman among them is
the Rev. DR.. Hoyt, of the Presbyterian
Church. Doctor Jones, of the Baptist
persuasion, is man of ability. So is Dr.
Graham, of the Episcopal Church. You
knew him we'll when in your city. DR..
Baird is leading minister of the Cumber
land Presbyterian Church and stands de-
servedly high. DIR. Kelly, of the NJ. e.
Church South, has considerable reputa-
ton as an orator, but he ebviosuly lacks
in logical ability. He studies more how to
captivate than to instruct. He made an
unfortunate alluson to politics when /
heard him. Stop that, Doctor, if you want
to succeed in converting the world. DR..
Freeman preached a profound sermon at
the NJ. E. Church. 1t is highly spoken of
by ALI classes. s- -..-s ,----'N
One thing is very creditable to
the clergymen Of Nashville. They
all discard the use of manuscripts
in preaching. That is sensible. 1t
is an ugly comment upon the efforts of
this class when they are reduced to the
necessity of combining themselves to a dry
manuscript. The words of life should
come forth from the heart with sponta-
neous rush, electrifying the nearer aud
impressing all with the grandeur Of the
theme. .rrf.
SUNDAY AT THE PENITENTIARY.
In company with Judge Houk, J. 0.
Griffith and others, I went to the peniten-
tiary at O'clock to witness the Sabbath
school exercises among the convicts., 1t
was one of the most interesting occasions
of my life, and L enjoyed it very much.
The cOnvicts of all cOlors and sexes were
assembled in the dining room, and were
arranged into suitable classes with suitable
teachers. Their good behavior was ap-
parent. They were serious and attentive.
The exercises were gone through with
with the greatest zest and zeal. The sing
ing was thrilling. AS their voices rang
out, the solemn notes filled the immense
room and produced a solemnity rarely ever
witnessed in more favored places of divine
worship.
must now relate little episode. I had
not been there but short time until it be-
came apparent that there was movement
on foot to make formal call upon Houk
and your correspondent to address the con-
victs. HOuk, shrewd to the last, tried
hard to take 'snap judgment" upon the
writer and to save his own scalp, and
finally succeeded. Both were publicly
called upon to take the stand, which was
dOne. 1t was altogether new role to both
OF us. fOr myself, was totally IN the
dark, not knowing where to commence
and where to end. Houk WIS more for
tunate. He delivered an excellent address,
pregnant with good sense and encourag-
ing advice.
At the close of the exercises it was an
nounced that three of the convicts would
be baptised by immersion by the Rev. DR..
Jones. All the convicts, with the candi-
dates, assembled at the large pool prepar-
ed for that purpose, and after solemn
prayer and an appropriate address, the
minister proceeded to "bury them in bap-
tism," after which there was a general
hand shaking and the exercises at the pen
itentiary closed. 1850 ~
THOS. G. BOYD.
forgot to say that the unfortunate Boyd
was seen and conversed with freely. He
dislikes nothing 30 much as the Insignia
of his positiOn-the notorious black stripes.
That bothers him, but still he is far more
phiOsophic than I supposed he could be.
He takes a rational view of the situation,
and has made up his mind to yield to his
ia; e, memorable as it is known to be, He
has nothing to do but to read, write and
walk about the prison. He and all the
convicts are kindly treated. How could it
be otherwise when they are under the SUI
pervision of such men as Joe WINS and w.
Matt. Brown, beth of them gentlemen and
full of the milk of human sympathy.
r-o- ALONZO DANTE.