The Hawaiian gazette., 1903-12-29
CHRISTMAS
IN PRISON
The Days Observances
Out on the
Reef.

took place in Honolulu during the past
week was undoubtedly that held at
Oahu Pententiary on Friday morning.
The inmates Of that grim institution
ION the reef" were in the best of spirits
and for one day had thrown away the
troubles and worries of life SO that
nothing should mar the glory of the
celebration.
The first surprise OF the day occurred
at 9 o'clock in the morning when three
of the long term prisoners were called
up to the prison office and Warden
Henry presented them, as Christmas
gift, with a Communication of their sem
fences which he had secured from the
Governor. A particular interest was
attached to this incident, as one of
the recipients of the Executives Glenn
ency had the sympathy of all his fell
low prisoners: and warm were the
handshakes and sincere congratula-
tons received by Fred Wood during
the day. One of the prisoners express
ed the prevailing sentiment when he
said: Il should not feel a bit happier
if 1t had happened to me-"
The religious meeting, under the uni
ted auspices of the Seventh Day Ad-
ventist church, the Y. M. G. A., the
Salvation Army and the Peniel Mis-
sion, was for many, an occasion to
be long remembered.
Thanks to the kindness of Warden
Henry an elaborate program had been
| arranged and 1t was carried out beau
tifully. The prisoners to the number
of 26S were seated underneath the beau
| tiful kamani tree of 1875 feet span,
which is situated in the middle of the
prison yard and as it has been said,
| it really seemed as If Gods love and
mercy were seeking for expression in
that stately tree, with its out-stretch-
pardoning grace. Rev. j. II. Behrens
of the Seventh Day Adventist church,
presided and at 1890 after mutual
greetings had been exchanged, opened
the services by giving out the hymn,
"Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" which
was sung by all. The beautiful story
of Christ's nativity was then read
from the second chapter of Luke by
five prisoners, in Hawaiian. Spanish,
Chinese, japanese and English respec-
lively. After an eloquent prayer had
been offered by Mr.. Colcord, one of the
prisoners advanced towards the visi-
tors and, in behalf of his comrades,
thanked them for their kindly interest,
and welcomed visits, and offered them
the prisoners Christmas greetings.
| Little Hazel Lyle and Lorene Col
cord sung a pretty duet and Master
Teddy Tracy convulsed his audience
with graphic description of the boy
expecting Santa Claus. Miss Vera
Behrens recited some Bible verses ac-
companied with song, which were very
much appreciated. A duet, My Fa-
Their Knows" was sung by Mrs. Beh-
rens and Mrs. Lyle, and later the two
ladies, in company with Rev. j. H.
Behrens and Mr.. Colcord, contributed
the beautiful quartette, 1.-THE Sweet
| Bye and Bye"
The hit of the day, however, was
scored by Miss Maud f. Patty, in her
recitation, annie and Willie's Prayer"
With fine diction and almost dra-
matte delivery, Miss Patty succeeded,
innocently of course, in shattering into
fragments all the time honored rules
and traditions of the prison. Nothing
is said in the Rules Governing Pris-
oners" about what should be done or
left undone when their feelings have
been stirred to such pitch Of enthu-
siasm that it needs an outlet of eX-
preston, probably because such an oc :.
currence had not been foreseen, but 1t
has always been taken for granted by
the prisoners, that If they do not de-
sire to pay a visit to that mysterious
place Of solitary confinement known as
n hat 10
until they are in the Orpheum or the
Opera House IL they desire to make
any noisy demonstration. However
that may be a storm of applause greet
ed Miss Patty at the conclusion of her
recitation to the amazement of Warden
Henry, which, however, was quickly
transformed into a pleasant smile, and
the utter CONSERVATION of Deputy Ka-
mana.
Eloquent addresses We're delivered by
Rev. ]. H. Behrens, Ensign Underhill,
S. A, and John NJ. Martin. chairman
Of the devotional committee of the Y.
NJ. c. A., and some pertinent remarks
upon Peace and good will toward
men," We're made by C. ]. Day, Mr..
and Mrs. Hadley, A. +, Lutz, w. Il.
Patty, Mr.. Burgess, Mrs. II. C. Lyle,
Mrs. Behrens and Miss Rowland and
others.
A quartet of prisoners sang very
touchingly when the day of life is
dawning," and after another recitation
by Master L. Ferguson the Oahu Pris-
on Glee Club sang the carol. ike la
ka amelia" and as an encore surprised
everybody present with beautiful Ha-
waiian melody, in which the unini-
tiated could only catch the words
Aloha" and Happy New Year" but
which was much appreciated neverthe-
less. BY the way, both songs were
composed last year by prisoner, now
discharged, and n member OF the SAL
walton Army.
Benediction pronounced by Rev. ].
II. Behrens brought this unique service
to a close. but just as the company
prepared to separate prisoner stepped
forward and taking advantage of
temporary suspension of the rules, pro-
posed that a vote OF thanks be ex-
tended to Mr. Behrens. the Y. NJ. C.
A. and the Salvation Army, which was
carried unanimously
At o'clock a bountiful feast, pro-
vided by Warden Henry, was served.
la.