The Evening critic., 1884-03-05
wAsHNGTON 1873
ReIlrIonn work AT tno JAIN.


TO The Editor Of The EC6nin0 Crltlc'
Tho religious services held at tho jail la5t
Sunday afternoon, undor tho auspices OF inc
Young Mems Christian Association, were OF an
unusually Interesting character, owing to tho
active participation thoroln by several Oh the
prisoners. -.
mittee in charge, Mr. George A. Hilton, VINO
had been suddenly called to Now York, Mr.. q.
W. Wheeler had direction OF the meeting.
The services are hold In tho immonse ro'
tunda OF tho building, whittier the male
prisoners connned In tho north wing serving
jail sentences, aud oil the female prisoners,
are conducted, and occupy seats provided by
the association, personal work being dono
among the prisoners In the south wing await
Ing trial or undor sentence to the penltontiary.
Tho scene was an impressive one; 100 to
$50 men and boys, white and black, aud about
40 women, surrounded by tho watchful guards,
listening TO the earnest words OF exhortatlon,
bowling their heads In prayer or Joining with
hearing perhaps for tho flrst time In their
lives OF n Saviour ablo and willing TO save
them from their sins. And before our visit
was concluded wo were convinced that THIS is
Gods own work, for the testimony OF some OF
these guilty, sin stained ones was to that et'
feet.
Jesus sent word to John among other things,
as an evidence that He was the Christ, "And
the poor have the gospel preached to them''
The meeting was opened by slnglng
81 have Saviour, Hos pleading In glory;
dear, loving Saviour, tho earth friends De
And now Ho Is watching In tenderness o'or
And, oh, that my Saviour wero your Saviour,
too;"
after which prayer was offered BY Miss Flor
Another OF Moody and Sankey's touching
hymns was followed by the reading OF tho
nrst psalm by Mr.. Carroll Downe, after which
brief exhortations were given by Mrs. Russell,
the Illinois evangelist, and Mr.. Wheeler.
Miss Kate Wells then sang with much feel.
ing and expression "rhe Home OF tho Soul"
Tho meeting was thon thrown open for testt-
monies, In which oxerclsos several OF the prlS-
Frank Minor, the colored condemned wife
murderer, stood up and spoke from the text,
"IIdtcl, loet yo enter Into temptation Ho
said that he owed mis- present position to his
lack OF watchfulness. He confessed his sin,
but testified that God for Christ sake had for.
given his sin. He was somewhat nervous, but
showed the possession OF ordinary mental
faculties.
George Price, white man, whom rum has
led sad life, stood up and told what Jesus
had done for him. He told how he mad or:
tered the prison, bad man, drunkard ana
worthless fellow, and how ho had gone to
Jesus for peace and pardon He tes,ined @ tnat
piest hours OF his life had come 10 him since
he was in jail. He urged his fellow'p prisoners
TO go to their cells and got down upon their
knees, confess their sins TO God, and ask His
forgiveness, and the same blessed Saviour that
had saved him would save them.
In response to an invitation TO any who do
sired prayer offered In their behalf u raise
| their hands, a score or more were lifted up
| After engaging In earnest prayer for the bless
| ing of God upon the seed sown, aud that He
| would pour out his spirit upon the Inmates o.
| the jail, officers and prisoners, and singing
| "You must be O lover OF the Lord" the pris
oners were reconducted TO their cells ant
locked up for tho night. Papers, tracts ant
| Testaments are distributed to every prisoner
| and those who desire personal conversation
| respecting their souls welfare are accommo
| dated. God bless the work at tho Jail; Coz
| bless tho workers Mt tho 1ntl. God DlegS tl(
| officers at the jail, and God bless the prisoner
| In the Jail. Y. N. O. A.