The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-12-13
PRAYING IN The JAIL.
Good Work Of the Salvation
Army Among the Prisoners
Prison Gate Brigade.

That the Salvation Army Is doing a
good work by its weekly meetings with
1 the prisoners at the Hudson County
Jail is a fact recognized by all right
minded people. Nearly everyone in the
city knows by this time that a work
is being done there, but very few know
how it is done. A Jersey City News"
| Exporter yesterday accompanied the Sal
yationists on their visit to the Jail and
noted their methods. They met in the
Warden's dining room at one O'Clock and
he treats them with every courtesy. The
party yesterday consisted of the Captain
and Lieutenant of the German Corps
on Congress street, two soldiers from
that corps and three soldiers from Corps
3, Bergen avenue and Union street. As
a rule Captain Mimms and Lieutenant
Banker of Corps 2 lead the meeting, but
they were not able to be present yes
terday.
When they had all arrived the doors
of the lower corridor were opened by
Deputy Warden Birmingham and they
were allowed to pass in. The key was
turned behind them and they were as
much prisoners for the time being as
were the people they came to pray with.
| Keeper Stockmeyer got the prisoners out
| of their cells and they stood in a bunch
at the chain, beyond which they are not
| allowed to go. The Salvationists stood
close to them and struck up a chorus.
They then fell upon their knees and Of
fered prayers for the success of the
meetings. Arising they sang a number
of choruses and gave their testimonies,
both in German and English.
MAHAFFEY LISTENS.
Mahaffey, the murderer, who is con-
fined in that corridor which is for un-
the doorway of his cell throughout the
meeting and was an interested listener
and observer, although he did not ap-
heart. The testifying and singing over,
the Lieutenant asked if there We're any
of the prisoners who desired special
the little band again dropped to their
knees and prayed for five or ten min
utes. They left the corridor and went
to the second floor where they divided
their forces, three going into the wom-
ems ward, and the rest taking the cor
ridor where the short term prisoners
they see the best results of their work.
Already three of the prisoners on being
released have attended their meetings
at Bergen avenue and Union street and
have protested Salvation. They spent
one hour and a half in this corridor.
They sang and testified for nearly an
IOtti. 0tSSIdl L ClS VI lSOtleiS ippSdlc0
deeply moved. They joined with the
Salvationists in singing the choruses and
when the soldiers knelt to pray they in
vited the prisoners to kneel with them.
Six of them responded to the invitation.
One of the brothers from Corps 2 then
asked if there We're not one among the
and pray openly to God. They hesitated
for a long time, but finally showed an
inclination to do so. The saivationists
continued
You can be saved here. in this cor
ridor as well as at a Salvation. Army
penitent form or at a church altar. You
can make this chain a p~enitent form.
# you will only ask God to forgive you
w. i PRISONERS PRAY.
One of the men said:-"God take me as
1 am" He said it aloud so that all his
companions could hear him.. The other
prayed something like this:-"O Lord, l
know l have sinned, but l want to be
better. Forgive me now and 1 will try
to serve Thee in the future, come what
may" This is the first time any of the
prisoners have gone so far as TO pray
held in front of ward l by the band hat
went to the women's ward. They held
two meetings while the Others were hold
ing one. The last meeting was that on
the top floor. There they can be heard
by the prisoners in three corridors. When
they prayed four or five women and two
men among the prisoners knelt with them
The Salvationists in all spent over three
hours in the Jail and had over fifteen of
the prisoners on their knees praying with
them. Warden Mitchell and Sheriff TOT
vationists are doing and encourage it
in every way in their power. Al the
meetings about $50 Wary Crys'' are dis
tributed every week The salvationists
brigade in Jersey City-that is, they will
establish a place that the prisoners who
have no home or friends to go when
be found for them.