The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-02-28
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CHAUTAUQUA.
AT the Nebraska State Penltehhary'

The readers of The~yOlt1n0l are al
ready aware of the organization, re"
weeks ago, by Field Secretary stewart
of a Chautauqua literary and sclentlhc
circle among the inmates of the state
penitentiary; the work to be prosecuted
by the aid and patronage OF the Chau-
tauQuans of our city.
The class comprised twenty-five mem
hers. and the plan proposed for aiding
the enterprise materialized SO. quickly
that the books required were provided
Immediately, and the circle entered up
on their course of reading and study
some four weeks ago.
subsequently it was deemed deslraple
that those who had been instrumental
in inaugurating the enterprise should
look after it and manifest such interest,
and render such personal aid and en-
couragement as might be. practicable
and not Inconsistent with the regula-
tions and dicipline of the institution.
Accordingly. with the permission and
rangements were made to hold Chau-
tauuua exercise in the chapel on Sunday,
18th inst. to take the place OF the usual
religious exercise Of that day, the chap
lain 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 in Nebraska
and at 93O party of about thirty Chau-
tauouans. members of the different cir
cles in the city. though most OF the ad
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 th'
anteroom into the CHAPEL, and conduct
ed to seats at one side, the family O
the warden and perhaps twenty other
from the neigbOrhood coming IN also.
The orchestra and the choir were al
ready in their place, and several seleC
tiOns of instrumental music were rel
dered during the half hour that elapse
before the regular congregation shOul
arrive.
At the appointed hour the doors wer
opened. and keeping time to the musl
with the slow and steady tramp OF tn
lock step, the men to the number
nearly four-hundred, marched IN,
about six divisions. each under L
proper leader, the hospital division
the crippled and infrm bringing up tt
rear: all were seated.
It was congregation of men, literal
picked men--Such a congregation
is not seen elsewhere, such as few
our citizens have ever seen. and such
those who have not seen can have
comprehension or realizing idea OF.
The exercises were under the dire
ton of Mr.. F. w. Smith, secretary
the S. H. G., and were opened with brl
remarks concerning the "Chautauq
Idea" followed by a responsive readl
from the Chautauqua Vesper Servl
by the visiting members, and the Lor'
prayer, in which all were asked to uni
During the hour several tamil
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.. Edwar
.colored, clear, fine bass, and anotl
by Mr.. White whose tenor was excelle
Chancellor Vincent had been advls
of the formation of this circle, and
anticipation of this meeting had b'
invited to send a message to the me
bers. which he very promptly did in
shape of letter addressed to "My /