Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-09
FLOWER MISSION DAY.
Visits TO the AImshouse, Jail, and
Penitentiary -Interesting
proeeedfuUs .&c. &c.

Yesterday was what is known among the
W0man's Christian Temperance Union az
flower mission day." when all over the
country where there Is an Organized band ol
these noble women each Inmate Of tx prisons
and almsbouses is given bouquet % flowers
with text Of Scripture or verse OF poetry
attached. This service seems very slight IN
Itself, but rendered with kindness and sym-
pliby for the unfortunate It touches
chord In the heart which responds 70 the
motive aud often melts under the act.
Mrs. II. r. Grosh is State superintendent
OF this branch OF the work OF the unlon'
and had charge Of the exercises yesterday.
Committees from the local organization
visited the jail and both amshouses early
in the afternoon, where, after appropriate
religious exercises in each case, consisting OF
reading the Scriptures, prayer SINGING, and
addresses. the distribution was made.
At4 O'Clock all the ladies OF the Richmond
Union, with those who had 50 generously
aided them in preparing bouquets, &c, met
nj the penitentiary 10 distribute fower'
amongst the prisoners there. Superinten'
dent Noses met them with his usual courtesy,
and soon had everything ready for The ex'
ercises. The men were all assembled in the
open court and seated. the ladies also beng
seated next 10 the wall but facing The
prisoners.
The exercises were begun by hymn from
the penltentiary choir.
Next Miss Mcdowell sang with great feel
ing the well.knoWn hymn "Ninety and
Nlne"
Mrs. John b. Crenshaw then read the fif-
teenth chapter Of Luke containing the para
bic npon which the hymn was founded, fol-
lowed by an earnest, touching prayer by
Mrs. Lee. The choir then sang "Almosi
Persuaded"
Mrs. R0sale j. Anderson made on address
full Of good Christian advice, explaining to
the audience the significance OF this dlsiribu'
ton OF flowers and texts.
Misses Matte SchsiIer and Hattie Grady
then sang What a Gathering oi the Faith
ful That viii Be-" Their sweet little
voices seemed 10 penetrate TO the farthest
point Of the court, and produced profound
IMPRESSION up0n all who heard them.
Mrs. Deborah G. Leeds. Of Philadelphia,
made short but earnest and very excellent
address. she spoke OF the great adylnta ce
which it would be 10 them II they would
form helping bands Of ten, explaining now
TO work these bands.
Miss Mamie 1Tahern sang a. "a solo W hle
the Days Are Going Bly, She bad to sing
without accompaniment, but did 1t sweetly
and well.
The choir sang " Shall we meet beyond the
river?" during the singing OF which Tue
ladies passed through the lines distributing
bouquets. Not one prisoner was overlooked,
but each received tins simple tOken-many
pressing them to their lips or breasts.
While the ladie> were thus engaged win
the males a committee visited the chapel,
where the female prisoners bad been
gathered, aud gave each OF them bouquet.
This concluded the work for the day.
These ladies' thank all who in anv way
sided them either by gifts Of texts or flowers
or work, but especially superintendent
Moses, who 20 courteOusly received them
and made the work easy and pleasant as far
Ia panlI