Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-14

Last Sunday afternoon party of earnest Christians, accompanied by one or two frien nds-whose impulses and morals are somewhat satisfactory, yet who cannot lay claim to such a desgnation-went out on the Eusley dummy to slopes 1 and Of the Pratt mines company, where religious ser vices are held every Sunday afternoon for the convicts by the untring men and women who have for several years been carrying on this good work. The party left the city at 2:10 o'clock and speedily reached Pratt City, wheresvehicles awaited them to carry them to the different slopes. One portion of the party Was made. very comfortable in two-borse wagon, into which were comfortably crowded nine. or ten persons. The driver, negro, was what is termed "trusty,p and more thoroughly satisfied, coatented creature 1t would be difficult to find. Through the sweet -scented pines our roadway led, and the drive was full of suggestions of planta- tion days, which cane on every breath or the fragrant breeze.
 h little while all iGea of the happy times of long ago was oispelled, for we stopped in front of q large, iorm fable building With barred windows which told of the needs of restraint and severity. As we entered the door the coovIcts were in the act of ascending the stars leading from
 
 for Sunday school services. Guards were all about the lower rooms, and through small opening could be seen tbe hardened faces -and malignant eyes of some pcor wreiches who declined the privilege of lis teping to gospel hymns and hearing the reading and teaching of God's word. But, oh! the hundreds who did wish to . hear these beautiful things. How hungry their eyes were, how earnest their poor faces as they sat in rows, waiting for the songs and the gospel. Soon good woman struck the first notes of sweet, familiar hymn on reed organ, and with the earn estness of chiicren the majority of these hundreds of convicts joined in singing the refrain.
 After the hymn followed certain services which undoubtedly received the most res- pectful consideration. One of the customs IS to have voluntary recitation of verses with the white class. This was well done, a majority Of them responding with ap. propriate selections. Alter two hymps elghtfully sung by Mile. Natale, the taught by the faithful teachers, who en deavored 10 impress upon their unusual scholars the grand doctrines of the Christ ian faith. Mile. Natale then sang an other hymn; prayer and the beat diction~ followed, and soon we were again seated in the wagon and being rapidly driven to Pratt City, wbere we caught the dummyx which bore us to our homes.
 Mile. Natale selected as sui table the seag soa o and Disconsolate, ," and as her sweet voice rangf out within those dismal prison walls one could almost imagine they heard the rustic of the angels wings, who came not to- loose Gas was done in the days of Peter) the d, ors of the prison. but who came to bring peace and forgiveness to the sin tor tured souls. This labor of Christian love, which is being carried on by few devoted men and women, IS not appreciated by any, of us; it cannot possibly De even faintly realized unes5 We witness the good thatA they are doing by visiting the slopes on Sunday afternoon. These Christians, at a great sacrifice of personal comfort, carry to the miserable men who wear their badge of guilt the only glimpse of sunlight in life of darkness and despair,- From the lips Of these friends they tears perhaps, the only words of genlleness and human interest which creep into their barren existence. From them they learn of Gods mercy and forgiveness, and that sthough their sins are as scarlet they may become winter than snow." And they also learn that there may be angels who minister to them even in the drearest dungeon.
 asked one of the foremost workers in the missionary labor being carried on by few each Sunday at Pratt mines what caused her first to feel an interest in such matters. And her explanation was so | young girl-a mere child-during the civil war, her father, a brave soldier, was cap- tured by the federals and thrown into prison. She was too much of a child to fully realize all he suffered, but she heard enough to forever give her tender con- -cern for all prisoners, and she always in- sisted that were it ever possible she would do what lay in her power to relieve those who "languish in dungeons dark
 Miaa Ethel Houafcn will r,robu hlxy rr very soon to New York, where she will en- ter one of the best music schools and will embrace every opportunity to cultivate her wonderful voice. Before she leaves her friends desire to give her complimentary concert, and thus attest their appreciation of her kindly offices for other people and their faith in her musical ability. Miss Houston has very remarkable voice, which, if cultivated, will put her within easy reach of fame and fortune.
 The Tuesday Afternoon Whist club was entertained by Mrs. Harry Jones at her home on Eleventh avenue, South High lands. The prize was an exquisite bon-bo dish of cut glass, with colored tints, and was won by Mrs. Weatherly.
 Delicious refroshm were served, when the club adjourned to meet next Tuesday with Mrs. J. k. Smith, Jr.
 It is not only rumored here. but from be allowed to use SC belligerent term con- corning 30 tender and harmless subject, that one of the bellies of Alabama, a lovely girl from the southeastern portion of the state, Is soon to wed a dignitary of high rank in eclesiastical circles. It Is said that before the Easter blossoms fade this mar riage will take place. This churchman of high degree and great popularity has been one of. the guests at recent house party at, the home of this pretty girl. If the rumori proves true warme8t congratulations will