The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-04-28
RELIGIOUS WORK AT SNAKE HILL
Richard IL. Grcen Gives y Very In-
teresting Account of ~.

Kf
teresting Account of II.
To the Ed tor Of Tbs .te,seg City Netcsi-
Last Sunday afternoon I had a favorable
opportunity to visit the Almshouse at Snake
Hill for the purpose Of Investigating the pro-
visions made for the religious improvement
OF the inmates. Much has been written
about the charitable and penal institutions
at Snake Hill, but the public knows but little
of the religious work. Perhaps q few Of my
observations may be of interest to the nu-
merous readers of THE News
The ride from the northern section OF the
county over that portion of the New County
Boulevard that encircles the brow OF the
hill was O continuous revelation OF the
beautiful prospects that are to be enjoyed at
the various points of elevation. Many
people seem to fancy that there is very little
that is picturesque about the county. They
would no doubt change their minds II they
once caught a glimpse Of the magnificent
panorama of tho Hackensack valley and the
vast region beyond. There are many eleva-
tions on the west side of the hill where one
can get delightful vistas, the distant noun
tains looming up on the distant horizon, a
CLINT of water, views OF cleaning church
spires, and of nearby views of the great
stretch of meadows traversed by the iron
horse. A perfect picture worthy OF the skill
of an artist.
The genial and stimulating sunshine has
brought out the buds and leaflets in great
profusion on the County Farm. Every
where vegetation was grateful in vernal evil
dence of the gladstone days OF spring time.
The Almshouse is a mammoth habitation
of pauperism. 1t is a practical object lesson
on the sad side of life. 1t is the most con-
spicuous structure on Snake Hill, as it stands
isolated and prominent on quite an elevation.
/ was very much impressed by the eanli-
ness and excellent condition of everything
about the interior arrangement OF the in
stitution. | had hardly expected to find
such a wholesome atmosphere and neatness
about the dormitories n corridors. swarm
ing with people who are accustomed to dirt
and sloth, Just now Warden Ryan seems
considerably perplexed because OF the great
scarcity of women who are physically
capable of assisting in the general house
work. OF course this makes it all the harder
for the rest.
The religious interests of the inmates are
faithfully looked after by the Rev. Father
Matthias of st. Michael's Monastery, who is
the Roman Catholic chaplain of the county
institutions, and the Rev. e. A. Muery, who
acts as the Protestant chaplain. Both are
employed by the county at al annual salary
of $500. Out of the 700 inmates in the
AImshouse there are probably about fifty
minors and 100 adults belonging to the Prot
estant faith.
GdSUOT AcuTy pIGdCu6c ~ ~ 0loOhOA
every Sunday morning in the chapel at the
Penitentiary, and to the inmates of the
Almshouse in the school room of that in
stitution. Rev. Father Matthias goes out to
the Hill on Saturday afternoons and re-
mains over to Sunday noon. His time is
chiefly occupied in giving religious in
struction and consolation to the sick
and infirm that cannot attend the regu-
lar mass, and hearing confessions on Sun
day mornings. He says mass alternately at
the Penitentiary and the Altnshouse. Mis-
sion work among the poor and lowly seems
to be the particular forte of the reverend
father. There is not a storm that is too
severe nor hour of night too late to prevent
him responding to a summons to hasten over
to the hill to administer the last solemn
rites of the Church.
The successful little Sunday school that
was established and carried on by Rev.
Theodore Rue, the fex-chaplain, has been
abandoned. It is a great pity. 1t was Mr..
Rue's delight to meet the waits every Sun
day afternoon to tell them ar entertaining
story, or leads them IN singing some little
praiseful carol.
MI. Rue frequently visits the ~almshouse.
He invariably carries with him some little
d~elicacy for the sick, a knick knack for the
children.
One of the most noticeable features of the
religious work carried on at the Almshouse
is the regular Sunday visits of the good
Sisters Of st. Peters parish, Jersey City.
They are usually accompanied by a few of
the members of tho st. Vincent de Paulist
Society, who assist in carrying on an inter-
ing Sunday school. Just now the children
are being specially prepared in religious in
struction to fit them for their first COM
munion. They will be confirmed on May 20
at the Monastery. Bishop Wigger will off
ciate. The ceremony will most beautiful.
What is greatly need at Snake Hill is a
separate and suitable building exclusively
set apart for the religious usages and the
headquarters of the two chaplains. Itcould
also be used as a place of consultation for
the State Charity Aid Society and the centre
of such benevolent and humane movements
as NAV be started in the future for the
amelioration of the inmates of the three
great institutions.
RICHARD r. GREEN.