The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1899-08-02
SUNDAY IN PRISON.
A Day In the Aburn N. Y. State
Prison.

Mr.. Capehart Attends Religious Ser
vices In tae Chapel Of this Famous
Place Impressions OF the Scenes
Vast Thromg Of Fourteen Hundred
Present by Compulsiea-All Classes
and Ages are there from the Youth
20 the Gray Haired Man Who Has
Speut His Life Within these Dreary
Walls.
lrnAcA, n. Y. july 30.--A description
in full of the famous Model New YORK
State Prison at Auburn would make
columns of mighty inierestin readin''
but | only have time to tell Won pf a
Sunday morning visit
AT nine o'clock hundreds of visitors
have gathered ia the spacious vestibule
of this beautiful eastle-like ivy covered
stone building.
Soon ponderoas door is swung open
by doorkeeper in bright uniform and
we make a great rush into an elegant
chapel, eibowing each other Tor the
choicest seats in the galleries
Seated, look about me, having a
few minntes before the opening hymn
to study my audience although in
this instance am confined to reading
character bv the contour of the back of
the head rs no prisoner must show bis
face, save the choir, as first learned by
observing ''trusty," ON passing him
in the first hall, standing like striped
statue, with his face four inches from
the wall.
There are seven hundred men seated
in frant of me, in uniform pants, having
the conventional prison stripe, but
wearing shirts in all the varying colors
OF gents furnishing store there being
an entire absence of collar and tie save
the pianist who wears coat and vest
also.
The back OF every neck is clean shay
en- and hair well brushed
Two muscular uniformed guards oc-
cupy cushioned seats in each of twelve
barred windows.
coun; twelve descendants OF Ham in
this great convict congregation and then
| recoliect every flock must have its
black sheep there are four white hair
ed men, possibly resided here since
their youth, and over there, so far away
that am unable TO tell from this pos
terror view il he be an Irishmen is one
red-headed man. as conspicuous as a
red geranium in a bed OF pausies.
See those beautiful letters in gilt
where all can see-they read; "a good
name is rather to be chosen than great
riches and loving favour rather than
silver and gold, how suggestive to
many heIe who are forced to reflect up
on this great truth once in seven days.
Upon observing the splendid physi-
| que OF these men | am reminded OF the
recommendation OF a western governor
that our convicts all be sent to do battle
IN the Philippines, question like all
others that has its pros and cons.
Now the chaplain rises and am
nounees MY dear friends, after hav-
ing preached to you every Sunday for
two years, this morning | shall have a
praise service and hope you all have
your Bibles with you and hymnals -
a wave OF uneasiness like the billow
that rocks the vessel passed over this
motionless audience; NV first uncharita-
BILE thought was surely these men are
not expected TO carry Bibles but | soon
learned that they are expected to bring
the Bible and Hymnal, with which
every cell is supplied to the praise ser
vice but the chaplain excuses them by
saying he was sorry they had not been
notified OF this service in time, and the
audience again assumes its satisfied
quiet demeanor.
Now the choir OF ten with piano &C.
compartment sings "Nearer Home
and the chaplain announces LET us
read in concert Psalm 9S, when We
bear a half dozen faint voices following,
conspicuous among them a big "brother
in black just in front of me. Here u
duet is sung and these men might earn
a salary in an arlstocratic church choir
for to sweeter voices | have never lis
tened and | have heard some of the
great ones OF earth.
Let us pray says the chaplain in
stead OF let us all bow in prayer be-
cause he probably knows the suggestion
would 90 unheeded but here and there
is en- humble bowed head, my colored
friend with his Bible among them. as
in great field Of stubble and thistle an
occasional flower appears so here in
this sea of sinners an occasional seem.
ing ripentant and ,devout one is found,
Truly Many are called but few are
chosen"
men joins in singing. ''Ho my com
rades see the signal" we feel that p. p
Bliss did not live in vain and that we
/
havesuch music prolonged into the
afternoon.
Now the chaplain gives short talk
along the line of freedom in Christ"
and there is no eye of these fourteen
hundred is not fastened upon him /;
whether they love the Lord or the chap.
lain or fear the devil or the guards the
| deponent saith not.
And when he refers to the Sunday
School lesson as being upon Daniel in
the Lions den, there's another nervous
chill visible. During the singing OF the
Doxoogy these are among my many
cogitations.
Its a remarkable religious assembly
that takes up no collection that this
assembly of robbers and murderers is
no worse than the elegantly attired cul-
tured congregations in our churchs to-
day-don't drop dead-in The Great
| Fathers sight for "shosoever shall
keep the whole law and yet offend in
one point he is guilty OF alp and so all
alike must be born again"
JNo. G. CAPEHART.