The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-25


sell each led in prayer. ] have heard
20 more earnest or heart-touching
prayers anywhere.
The chapel service was a most interest
ing feature. At the tap of the bell the
more than 400 convicts, whites and col
)red, gathered in the large chapel. Every
person showed the most perfect attention
md respect for the occasion. No church
assemblage in Birmingham presents more
levout respect for the sacredness of the
church and the preacher.
There was not a murmur or unneces-
sary movement to disturb the occasion.
The singing in which all took part, was
wonderful.
The first song was I'm the Child of
King" 1t was followed by Amazing
Grace. How Sweet the Sound That Saved
Wretch Like Me- The closing song
was did Christ Ger Sinners Weep"
Singing Is Good
1t would have done your soul good TO
ave heard the singing.
The preacher took for his text the
twelfth verse of the thirteenth chapter
Of First Corinthians. The sermon was
one full of hope for struggling souls, con-
collation. for Christian warriors and peace
10 bleeding hearts. He talked for about
y minutes and every member OF the
strange congregation hung on every word
with earnest attention. There were many
sympathetic tears and now and then a
seryent low-spoken amen" from the
colored side OF the house.
The chaplain and the wardens tell me
that the moral and religious influences
dominate the inside affairs of the state
convict camps One of the colored apart
ments at No. 12 is called the do Right
ward sc has 50 negro inmates. No man
Ave- ant tn yFQ RI
that curses, plays cards or drinks. This
Is a law of the men themselves and is
respected by the officers. There were q
men in this ward yesterday, and 1t is
said that not one of them ever uses q
profane word or would play at games OF
chance. When one man falls from high
standard OF righteousness he is instantly
expelled from that ward and placed in an
other.
"DO Right" Ward
1t is considered a mark of honor TO pt
allowed to stay in the ''Do Right ward
The Rev. s. II. Emerson has peer
working for some time on a plan tt
establish a bureau or association thror'
which convicts may be given some sor
If honorable employment at the expira
| lion Of their terms. He argues, and rightly
| that too many men fall back into trans
| erosion for a lack of attention just a
| he moment they are trying to get paci
| into the world and into right living.
The duty of the state and mankin,
| should be to save criminals, not to punlsi
| hem, and they should be given helping
hand at the critical moment when the,
| need ii most Mr. Emerson Is convince
| that hundreds of men wal kout from gu
prisons every year that are as worthy 0
confidence as hundreds of men that neve
entered prison. He is very DESTROYS
helping these men and has been able I
arouse the interest of number OF In
4 fuential men and women in this worth
cause.
All COnvicts Not had
A visit to the convict camps at No.
| convince any man that all convicts ar
not bad. Some may be utterly vile be
rond redemption, but there Is somethn
good and worth the salvage in the mos
of them.
T. n. Iaseter is warden at No. 2. He
courteous and considerate and treats tn
men in his charge with great considera
ton and kindness. Paul Page is deput
warden and is also a gentleman of est
nable character.
I am told that since the moral an
Christian influences predominant in tn
camp the strap has almost gone out {
use The men do better work. The
tasks are easier Most of the men max
some extra money working overtime {
by doing more than the daily tasks RI
quired of them.
Through this means many of the me
are able to save some money or procui
some of the Injuries that are not dow
on the prison bill of fare.
I am told by the convicts themselvt
that they are well fed, that they 81
given a variety of foods that are we
cooked. They all look well and healthy.