National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-08-04
ooHvIcT WORSHIP
lnndsx ssrxiss in Auhurn ststa Prison.

Sunday Service in Auburn stste Prison.
tcorrssponSenes Of The National Republican,
II We were In the corridor ct O'Clock in the
morning, We were told, We could go in and witness
Divine service among the prisoners after that the
door would be locked. A goodly crowd was as-
sembled Of ladies and gentlemen. We could zee
through the grating the eonvicts gathering from
different points Of the building all in their striped
suits and with closely shsyen heads. While
waiting one Of the keepers pointed out one who
stood ct the foot OF the stairs, with his arms
folded, and his back against the WALL ss colonel
In the regular army, there for roboing bank;
and, when asked the history Of another standing
near, said he was the barber-one who had been
put there for almost cutting man 10 pieces with
Q razor, but whom they now employed ss their
barber. Thirteen hundred and twenty, he told
us, was the number In charge, and when asked
II they had any there from Washington, said, 'no,
not that he knew Of, but there were some there
in Congress that ought TO be there"
THE DOOR WAS uHBoLrED
and We were allowed to pass up into the gallery,
bled throng, but all with their backs toward rs.
There were seven high windows on either side Of
the chapel in either window seat Of which sat Two
keepers with canes, who kept their eyes steadily
on the prisoners. A choir of ten singers, all con-
victs, and two more who played on the bass
lain. facing The rest Thsrs was Ia middle aisle
running through the chapel On either side
every seat was hlled, and such q cold and cheer
was toward rs, and every one tightly shaved, and
all Of them in light bed ticking suits, some with
the stripes running up and down and some around.
accustomed to the sight.
In well-trafned voices the hymn
Jesus, lover Of nv soul,
Let me to thy bosom fly; r--.
E'@l E1 While the pillows near nsroll,,
While the tempest still Is Nigh"
At the first strain Of music all straightened
themselves and leaned forward, some with folded
arms, as though to catch every note.
THEN AN IMPRESSIVE PRAYER
by the chaplain, in loud and clear voice, heard
in the remotest corner Of the room, followed BY
three verses Of
sMy faith looks up to thee,
Though Lamb Of Calvary,
Saviour divine;
Now hear me while pray,
Take all my guilt away,
And let me from this day
Be wholly thine"
A touching and appropriate sermon followed, in
which allusfon was made to q Mothers Kiss
and "Mother's Love-" which IL seemed must
touch their hearts, stout though they might be.
passing around tobacco. There was general
stretching and moving about at the close, then q
slight hustle and movement Of the feet the bare
floor, and they all rose, and with their hymn
books followed the closing hymn along. 1t
seemed to me they might have been taught to re-
peat the Lords prayer in concert, and to all join
There were some fine looking old men among
them, and I would have given good deal TO
know what brought them there, and some young
men Of really fne manners. One observed
WITH BuTToN.HoLE BOUQUET,
and flowers were brought in by another at the
commencement Of the exercises and placed on the
pulpit.
nologist. observed the majority OF them had
black or dark hair, then auburn, and there were