The Sun.
London, England, 1860-03-21 00:00:00

GREAT SOCIAL EVIL.

Another of these extraordinary meetings in con-
nection with the important question of the great
social evil, a movement which it will be remembered
was originated in the early part of last month by
the committees of numerous refuges, reformatory
homes, and other societies, was held yesterday
morning at the Lecture Hall, opposite the Sessions
House, in Newington-causeway, Southwark, and
the circumstances attending the proceedings were
even of a more peculiar character than those which
have taken place at St. James's Restaurant, Regent-
street, for the reclaiming of the fallen sisterhood of
the more fashionable neighbourhood of the West-
end. We may say, however, that the meeting held
in the Borough was convened under the auspices of
the gentlemen by whom the movement was set on
foot in February. The meetings which have been
held at St. James's Hall have been convened for 12
o'clock, that being a time at which the dancing
saloons, cafes, &c., in the neighbourhood draw the
larger number of the " unfortunates," but it was
thought desirable to call this meeting for an earlier
hour. Ten o'clock was fixed upon, and a large
number of signed tickets of invitation, stating " We
shall be glad to see you at Dunn's Lecture-hall,
Newington-causeway (opposite the Sessions-house),
to-night, March 19, 1860, tea and coffee will be pro-
vided free at 10 o'clock," were distributed in the
surrounding locality, in addition to which a large
number of gentlemen were scouring the neigh-
bourhood and bringing in every girl or woman
of the class that could be induced to accompany
them. However there were very few present up
to eleven o'clock, when the attendance began to
become very satisfactory. Two long rows of tables
were ranged down the hall, and these were boun-
tifully supplied with different sorts of cake, bread
and butter, &c., while there was an abundance of
good tea and coffee ready to be served. On the plat-
form at the end of the hall were assembled the
numerous gentlemen and clergymen who were to
take part in the proceedings. The Rev. Hugh
Allen, M.A. (the newly-appointed rector of the
parish of St. George-the-Martyr), presided ; and
amongst those present were the Rev. Mr. Robinson,
the Rev. J. D. Carey, the Rev. J. B. Courteny, the
Rev. J. E. Singauki (late a missionary in Palestine
and Syria), J. F. Fortescue, Esq., Ernest Hart, Esq.,
I.‘ll- D. Cooper (of the Rescue Society), Mr. Horni-
brook (Trinity-house), Mr. Thomas (London Female
Preventive and Reformatory Institution), &c., &c.
The class of females who attended the meeting
were certainly not of the same fashionable appear-
ance as those who attended the West-end meetings,
but still the general character of the assembly was
of a more respectable description than might have
been expected in the district. At nearly twelve
o'clock, when there were about 150 persons present
(including the promoters of the meeting),
The Rev. HUGH ALLEN rose and delivered a
most forcible yet touching address to the unhappy
creatures by whom he was surrounded. The rev.
gentleman, who spoke most impassionately, was
frequently interrupted in the course of his address
by the sobbings and wailings of the unfortunate
women.
Addresses and prayers were delivered by the
Rev. Mr. Robinson, Rev. Mr. Carey, Mr. Thomas,
Mr. Lowe, and others, and the proceedings ter-
minated shortly before two o'clock.
The conduct of those present was certainly most
exemplary ; and although several at first ridiculed
the idea of being reclaimed, yet they lingered after
the refreshments to hear the addresses, and the
result was, that nearly 20 were conveyed to the
Home in Dover-place, and in the course of the day
were sent to various institutions.