Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-02-19
orr NASHVILLE LETTER.
The sabbath In Nashville.
3 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 be regarded
rs having just claims to higher order Of
civilization, for L know of no city in the
Union that has a higher regard for this
day. On the 9th inst, (Sunday,) all the
spacious churches were 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. / witnessed no improprie-
ties in any quarter. The streets were al
most deserted except Mt 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 on good deal of
ministerial ability. True, l know of no
very marked men, such rs Beechcr, but,
at the same time, there is an ovcr-averagc
of intellectual worth among them. Per-
maps 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 well when in your city. DR..
Baird is a leading minister of the Cumber-
land Presbyterian Church and stands de-
servedly high. DIR. Kelly, of the M. e.
Church South, has considerable reputa-
ton as an orator, but he obviosuly lacks
in logical ability. He studies more how to
captlvate than TO instruct. He made an
unfortunate allusion to politics when l
heard him. Stop that, Doctor, if you want
TO succeed in converting the world. DR..
Freeman preached profound sermon at
the NJ. Z. Church. 1t is highly spoken of
by all classes.
One thing is very credtable to
the clergymen of Nashville. They
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 dry
manuscript. The words of life should
come forth from the heart with a sponta-
neous rush, electrifying the nearer and
impressing all with the grandeur Of the
theme.
SUNDAY AT THE pENITENTIARY.
In company with Judge Houk, j. o.
Griffith and others, / 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 APP
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
hn m INN nsp
room and produced Il solemnty rarely ever
witnessed in more favored places of divine
worship.
l must now relate little episode. | had
not been there but short time until it be
came apparent that there was n movement
on foot to make formal call upon HouB
and your correspondent 10 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 Wa'
done. 1t was altogether new role to botl
of us. For myself, l was totally in the
dark, not knowing where to commence
and where 10 end. Houk was more for
tunate. He delivered an excellent address
pregnant with good sense and cucourag
ing advice.
At the close of the exercises it was an
nounced chat three of the convicts wOulC
be baptised by immersion by the Rev. DIR
Jones. All the cOnvicts, with the candi
dates, assembled at the large pool prepar
ed for that purpose, and after u solemn
prayer and an appropriate address, thu
minister proceeded to "bury them in hap
tism,n after which there was a genera
hand shaking and the exercises at the pen
itentiary closed.
THOs. G. BOYD.
l forgot to say that the unfortunate BoyC
was seen and conversed with freely. II,
dislikes nothing so much as the insignia
of his positiOn-the notorious black stripes
That bothers him, but still he is far NOR
philosOphic than j supposed ne could be
He takes rational view of the situation
and has made up his mind to yield to hi
fate, memorable as it is known to be, H
has nothing to do but to read, write ant
walk about the prison. He and all tia
eonvicts are kindly treated. How could i
be otherwise when they are under the su
pervison of such men as Joe WINS and w
Matt. Brown, both Of them gentlemen anC
CHl c' the milk Of human sympathy.
ALONZn DANTE
NASHVILLE, Feb. II.
EDITORS CHRONICLE: To-day there wa
quite an exciting scene in the House owe
the 'Torhett issue" 1t came up on a mo