CHAPLAIN'S REPORT. NEVADA STATE PRISON, To Hon. Board of Prison Commissioners: } DEAR SIRS-In submitting to you this, my first report as Chaplain of this institution, I shall be as brief as possible, and state only facts in connection with the department with which you have entrusted me. This report covers a period of twenty-one months. During this time regular services have been held on each Sunday between the hours of 1 and 2 o'clock P. M. While the most ardent expectations have not been realized in immediate results, we fully believe that much good has been done, and that a majority of the prisoners have been willing to receive moral and religious instruction. Many hopeful indications now exist for the future success of a permanent establishment of regular and constant service. A wise discipline, firmly but humanely administered, is the only method by which reform can possibly enter. The prisoners are recognized as men and not as brates, and dealt with and treated accordingly. The cheerful and cleanly aspect of the Prison and prisoners attest the fact that many are availing themselves of these sacred opportunities of preparing for an honorable future. SUNDAY SERVICES. Our regular services consist of praise and prayer, after which a lecture or sermon, upon some moral or religious subject, is delivered by the Chaplain. It gives me great pleasure to say that in all these services due respect is shown to the worship of God, and many evidences are seen of softened hearts that sigh for better days. We desire, in connection with these statements, to thank the Warden for his encouragement, presence and assistance in this good workas well as the ladies of Carson, so many of whom have greatly aided us in rendering the best of music, both religious and secular. THE LIBRARY. Books are regularly furnished the inmates from the Prison Library. Besides these books, a great deal of valuable reading matter is furnished by the citizens of Carson, in the form of magazines and periodicals. These are a great source of pleasure and instruction, as most of the prisoners are reading men. We have, also, many fine singers among the prisoners, whose assistance at our Sunday service is most thankfully received. A CHAPEL. In connection with the Sunday services, I desire to offer to your Honorable Board of Directors the suggestion, that if a small chapel could be built upon the Prison Grounds, and properly furnished, it would be of no small benefit to the prisoners. This suggestion meets the approval of the present Warden. BURIALS. During my ministrations I have performed the burial service, of the church at the Prison, over the bodies of three persons-two prisoners and one Guard-who died within the walls. CONCLUSION. I here tender you, gentlemen, my thanks for your favor and the important trust I hold at your pleasure. I also speak, with great thankfulness, of the kind attentions I have received at the hands of the officers of the Prison. I am greatly indebted to Warden McCullough for the liberties and encouragements given me in my work, as I fully believe him to be, not only a strict disciplinarian, but also a man of mercy and pity. I close in the words of the Divine Master, "I was in prison and ye came unto me." Respectfully yours, GEORGE R. DAVIS, Chaplain. EXHIBIT A. Nevada State Prison in account with Prison Appropriation, January 1, 1887, to December 31, 1888. EXHIBIT A. Nevada State Prison in account with Prison Appropriation, January 1, 1887, to December 31, 1888. By stable and live stock account, Exhibit L.. By discharged prisoners' account, Exhibit N By Prison Commissioners' expense account, Exhibit O By construction and repairs account, Exhibit T......... By Warden's quarters account, Exhibit U.... By tailor shop account, Exhibit W... 3,000 00 422 65 3,379 14 35,370 92 3,400 50 32 50 355 84 2,380 00 117.91 519 77 4,022 25 205 69 36 48 119 00 By Chaplain account, Exhibit X......... Total.... 650 00 $82,823 05 |