The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-02-28
Vol. VIII. 80.
Ms G :, =, v LLANT
M Ms1lSlEs.zi llIIl i
SI
CHAUTAUQUA.
At the Nebraska State Pentehtiary'

"
The readers of The JOurn0l are al
ready aware of the organization, few
weeks ago, by Field Secretary stewart
of a Chautauqua literary and sclentlilc
circle among the inmates OF the sCaoe
penitentiary; the work to be prosecuted
bv the aid and patronage OF the Chau-
tauquans of our city.
The class comprised twenty mem
oers. and the plan proposed tor aldlhg
the enterprise materialized SO quickly
that the books required were provided
Immediately, and the circle entered up
on their course of reading ana Stuoy
some four weeks ago.
subsequently it was deemed deslraole
that those who had been Instrumental
in inaugurating the enterprise shoulo
look after it and manifest such interest,
and render such personal ald ana en-
couracement as might be practlcable
and not Inconsistent with the regula-
tions and dicipline Of the institution.
Accordingly, with the permission ana
under the direction of the warden, ar
ranpements were made to hold thau-
tauOua exercise in the chapel on Sunday,
18th inst. to take the place of the usual
religious exercise of that day, the chap-
ain being absent. A programme was
arranged. the selection of hymns ana
music being made by the choir.
The day was delightful, the morning
was one Of those perfect mornings OF
which we have so many III Nebraska,
and at $50 party of about thirty Chau-
+auouans. members of the different cir
.cles in the city. though most of the ao-
vance class of graduates, known as the
Society of the Hall in the Grove, were
gathered in the reception room OF the
penitentiary.
Soon the heavy doors were thrown
open and we were ushered through tht
anteroom into the chapel, and conduct
ed to seats at one side, the family OF
the warden and perhaps twenty Others
from the neigborho0d coming IN also
The orchestra and the choir were al
ready in their place and several selec
tions of Instrumental music were reh
dered during the half hour that elapsed
before the regular congregation shoul
arrive.
At the appointed hour the doors Wer
opened. and keeping time to the musi
with the slow and steady tramp of tn
lock step, the men to the NUMBER {
nearly four-hundred, marched III,
about six divisions each under II
proper leader, the hospital DIVISION
the crippled and infirm bringing up II
rear: all were seated.
It was congregation of men, literal
-picked men--such a congregation
is not seen elsewhere, such as 1e"
our citizens have ever seen. ana such
those who have not seen can have
comprehension or realizing idea OF.
The exercises were under the DIRE
tion of Mr.. +. w. Smith, secretary
the S. H. c., and were opened with brl
remarks concerning the "Chautauq
Idea" followed by responsive readl
from the Chautauqua Nesper SerVl
by the visiting members, and the Lor
prayer, in which all were asked to UNI
During the hour several famll
hymns. two of which had been pre-
ously selected by the choir, were SUI
the audience joining, and two so
were rendered, one by Mr.. EdWal
colored. clear, fine bass, and anot
by Mr.. White whose tenor was excelle
Chancellor Vincent had been advl
of the formation Of this circle, ane
anticipation of this meeting had b
invited to send message to the mi
bers, which he very promptly did IN
shane of a letter addressed to "My