Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-15
eLowes-MlssloN DAY. .
The Pretty Custom of Distributing "oo-
auets In prisons Observed Yesterday.

The Pretty Custom of Distrfbuting Bou-
quets In Prisons Observed Yesterday.
Flower.M Mission Day was observed mere
yesterday. II is beautiful CUSTOM 70 .ho
Woman's Christian Temperance Union 70
90 once a year TO the prisons, lails. anu
almsbousos and give to each Inmate Q
hounuet az flowers. To each bouquet II
tied card on which is printed. pasted, or
wr,tten A text of Scripture. or an appro-
pirate verse OF poetry. usually from some
well. known hymn or spiritual song.
The distribution OF these Is always pio-
ceded by religious exercises. conauc'cu W
ladies appointed for that purpose.
1bis incident in the life of the prisoner
ia ALWAYS looked forward to with pleasant
anticipations, and hard must be the neaIt
that is not touched with tender feelings
as these " ministering angels thus endea-
yor 10 throw O beam of light through the
SATURDAY. being the only day on which
work could be stopped in the peni'eh.
tiary at q sufficiently early nour Io' w
exercises the ladies conducting them WIN
other delegations from the various unions
of this vicinity went out there yesterday
afternoon at O'Clock.
INTERESTING EXERCISES YESTERDAY
They had been busy preparing bouquets
ALI the forenoon. and by the hour apovo
named were at the prison. The men wers
ali called in the yard or court ana sea,eu
in front of the tables at which the iauies
cat The exercises were opened py AZ
ioinine in singing the familiar HYMN Al
Hail the Power of Jesus Name" LED oy
vonno ladies. Mrs. judith A. Crenshaw;
superintendent OF PRISON work, then reaa
n very interesting account OF the origin vi
Flower Mission Day" after when sue
read a portion of Scripture. ms was
foIlowed by an earnest and touching prayer
Inv Mrs. Thomas Whitehead and solo by
Miss Jobson. Mrs. II. +. Burroughs mace
few very feeling remarks appropriate 10
Another solo. MY Mothers Woy." by
Miss Walters. was very feelingly rendered.
Then followed the distribution OF flowers,
the distributors being led by committees
from the juvenile societies. or BANDS OF
Hope, followed by the Young woman
Christian Temperance Union ana those
from the parent organization.
GOD he WITH YOU"
The cards containing the text were very
tastefully gotten up. being printed IN giit
letters with the heading "A Message 10
You"
After each one had received bouquet
and card the prisoners went 10 thelr Gems
fbe ladies singing as they passed out:
God be with You till we meet again"
This closed the exercises amongst the
male prisoners. The females were then
visited and flowers and cards distributed,
hut the time did not permit so much OF
the religious part of the exercises. In
this the "Y's" took the leading part. and
right well did they acquit themselves IN
doing il.
Somewhat to the surprise OF some OF the
managers there was an abundance OF
flowers. Messrs. Harvey Hammond, and
Catlin each sent magnificent lots. Inc
ladies of Berkley sent about two bushels
of bouquets, ready made up, with card IN
manuscript attached. Others were sent
from Hampton and Newport News.
Mrs. Mckinney. wife of his Excellency
the Governor, Mrs. Joseph Bryan, and
Mrs. A. II. Drewry, of Westover. each sent
large baskets of lovely flowers. Besides,
many persons interested in aiding the
ladies sent what they could, making alto
gether sufficient supply.
There are three Women's Christian Tenn
perance Unions and two "Y's," besides
several juvenile societies in the city, and
all took part in the work yesterday. aided
by the Ashland and Centrslia Unions.