The New York herald., 1877-11-19
RANDALL'S ISLAND SERVICES.
RELIGIOUS AND MUSICAL ExERCIsEs AMONG


LUNATICs AND CRIMINALS.
The public institutions on Randalps Island zero
yesterday the OF religious and musical exercises
such rarely vouchsaed TO the unfortunate out
casts who are their inmates. Mr. william Noble, an
English preacher and speaker Interested in charitable
missions Of this character accompanied by Mr. George
Jones, of East 109lb street, and Mr.. Baker, who has
charge OF the regular religious services as we'll Dy
choir composed Of young ladies who volunteered TO
sing Tor this occasion paid visit 10 the
island yesterday. Mr.. Noble Is not only preacher,
but also something Of musician aud really clever
Of the old-iashioneo English concertina. or
this instrument Mr. Noble took WITH him not less than
tour different kinds. and Initiated upon them TO aston
isnin9 perfection the singing OF various bros. The
party nrst bent their stops to the half unacn chill
dren. Tho minds OF these unfortunate Juveniles are
only partially temporarily ciouded, and when
Mr. Noble played of the hymns which
they already knew from previous Practice,
what u friend We have in Jesus" '.sweei
by and byl aud sYield not TO temptation ~ the
poor children exhibited the greatest delight. Their
bodies treinbcd Will eagerncss they sought for the
page OF the hymn book from which they might be able
TO accompany tunes OF the concertina, aud then
they kept shaking another with Intense gleo and
calculating, "lsnt that nceY" and when Mr.. Jones
twho had been mainly nstrumontal in bringing Mr.
Noble over To the islaad) was about TO depart
rather intelligent looking boy took him aside and
say my prayers Tor Mr.. Noble"
AMONG THE INSANE.
Parting from the grateful children tho Convacsccnt
Asylum Tor The sick and disabled from Biackwcl's
Island next visited and mado happy by some
sweet strains oi music and then the party repaired
tne Mac Lunalic sylu, where Mr. Noble gave strik-
ing limitations OF bells, buge calls and singing BIRDS
and here he was introduced TO the "champion idiot,
Jonn Rourc, who is said by the to DO utterly
devoid OF Dram. His head Is larger than that oil
little child anu he Is almost bind He destitute
Of speech and can only mako blurred, yelpng noise
IN token Of recognition wncn spoken to by any ono.
Here II was curious TO observv-and all The visitors
noted the fact with much iuteresl-how differently
the sensation Oh music affects kinds OF luna
Tics. Not two appeared 10 act alike one Kept toss-
ing his head; another let his body sway and ro as
though trying TO keep tme To the concertna; third
capped his hands wildly iourth rolled the noor
IN paroxysm OF pleasure, and SO on. Some and
anon gave violent start across tho floor, though
they we're greatly excited by tho strange sounds while
others only passed their hands over their ioreheads
queer dazod way, rs though they did not exactly
know what to make Off.
APPEALS FOR REFORM.
Mr. Nobies principal remarks were delivered at tho
prison, whose inmates were at least more fortunate
Ucng able to listen tho voice reason. He spoke
ABOUT Jesus healing tue withered hand and though
they bad not withered hands they All more or less
had withered prospects. He touchiDgly alluded to
tncir mothers praying for them al tho loot vi the
throne o Grace ana gave thcm hope, saying that God
never allowed mother to waste prayer her son
Al this passage tho scene In the prison really
affecting The younger men all iet that this portion
vi The speakers remarks was directly aimed AT thcm
and u lew oil the more susceptible ana not yet har.
dened cuprts hung their heads, and ihcir eyes ap.
pearcd TO be moist with tears. Mr. Noble said that
sucn visits for purposes OF musical and religious en.
tertainnent would never have Uoen allowed III the old
country, and they ought 10 be thankful for vng hero
among such liberal aud kindly institutions. He also
| expressed astopshment at the abundance ot their
! provisions Wniie they received hsre. he said. q