The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-27
\ HRIsTMAs services were being
held In the prison chapel. AL
though an exuberant press pro-

~ HRlSIMAS services We're Delng
W. held In the prison chapel. AL
- though an exuberant press pro-
claimed that Christmas joys Lad pervaded
the prison walls and even the man in
stripes felt the holy influence of the day, it
was hard for the casual visitor to associ-
ate any gladness with the congregation of
two or three hundred prisoners, both
black and white, who were seated on rude
benches listening to the scriptures pro-
pounded by a gray-haired chaplain. There
were frank, open faces In the assembly
faces that bore the stamp of good breed
ing and intelligence; and there were faces
so evil, so desperate and so repulsive that
one could have no doubt of the just SEN
tence which had placed them behind the
bars Young and old we're gathered there
the life man" and the short-term con-
Wet, whose Imprisonment was a matter
of months; the smooth-faced youth con-
victed of robbery and easily caught; the
man whose hands were stained with blood
and a host of others guilty of every crime
In the calendar-so the courts say.
One could not but look for the brute in
the faces of these men, and 1t was found.
Over on the negro side there were hui
man beings so debased, so immersed in
the mire of sin and ignorance that their
resemblance to humanity seemed to end
with face and figure Some sat stolid and
Indifferent, others rolled their eyes about,
still others appeared to take lively
ia t,. tha nd raanondod
with a glib tongue to the questions Of the
preacher, joining in the singing with en-
thusiasm that was perhaps, after all real
emotion.
Outside happiness reigned In the world.
The boom of giant firecrackers could be
heard at intervals and the small boys
shout was waited into the hall over the
walls of the stockade and through the
iron bars where these unfortunates
sat silent and absorbed. They real
ICED dimly, no doubt, that joy
was all around them and that men do not
seek happiness In prison. Perhaps
there was gladness without, the glad
ness of good men and good wo-
men, but the light shifted I'M
certainly through the bars, the ceiling
Of the chapel was low and dingy, and
there was nothing attractive in the com
gregation there assembled. No bit of color.
no air of brightness relieved the sombre
background and the monotony of the
stripes was oppressive 1t is in such a
place that one can truly appreciate the
priceless boon of freedom. The way of
the transgressor is indeed hard. If you
would know ask the man in stripes.
The simple service drew to a close. Two
good men and two noble women had come
out there to bring a message of cheer
and a word Of hope to the convicts. Now
their mission was almost accomplished.
The preacher had spoken simply but feel
ingly of "a Child who was born in Bethle-
hem,'' and he had made a direct appeal
to his auditors for better life. The mes
sage came from his heart. and it went
to the hearts of those who listened.
The sermon was brought to a close by
a short prayer. Then a young woman.
choir singer, went to the wheezy little
organ and sang a song 1t was THE Holy
City" Her beautiful face and bright