Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-04-27
The Mission to the London Thieves.

Walker, a Scotchmat', among lhe 'hIeves
Of London. The article was originally cop
led from Hoeg's Weekly Instructor.
Perhaps few men deserve so much OF the
sympathy and encouragement OF their ChrIs'
tian brethren as these mission arcs who con.
decend to men Of the most wreiched estate
who, full Of charity and sympathy which
are rare in this cold world. 60 about amidst
the most pestilen,ial airs, and to the gloom.
lest homes, to point the sunken eyes OF the
thief and prostitute TO purer airs and bright
err homes above. Few can estimate the har-
rowing scenes which hourly pain the home
inissionary's heart; and few can ever know
the dscouragemenls that meet him in his
progress, as he tolls on in the service OF his
Heavenly Master; and perhaps as few can
realize that glorious fulness Of faith which
sustans him in his Masters work. Per-
haps there is not in the world a man better
qualified TO discharge the home-apostleship
than is Mr. A. Walker, whom we have call.
ed the "Lion Of Westminster" at York, and
the Lamb OF Westminster" in London
He is more than lion in strength Of pur-
pose and moral courage he is lamb in
the ren,leness Of his soul and in the humil-
ity Of his nature. For ten years he has
been almost daily in the foulesi and most
demoralized purlieus OF Westminster, enter
ing freely aud without fear where single po-
licemen dare not venture alone, and preach.
ing aud doing good 10 brigands and robbers,
who receive him with pleasure and listen to
him with respect Whilst lately in London,
we collected several facts relating TO this
remarkable man and his services, and we
had determined to lay them before our read
ers, but still we almost shrunk, from feel
ing of dellcacy towards the good mission
AIRY, from intruding on his modest path, and
interfering with course so nice and peril
Gus as his. The proceedings Of thieves
meeting, published in the City Mission
Magazine" for Nov. lS4s, has relieved us
now, however, Of oil sense Of responsible
lity in our doing so, and we can with peace
open up TO our readers glimpse Of the path
which Mr. Walker daily ireads. Mr. Walk
or is a Scotchman, aud is 10 Westminster
what Mr. Jackson is 10 the Minories. He
is the thieves missionary Of Duck Lane
Old and New Pye Streets, Pye Court, ant
those other dark purlieus north Of the Alb
hey, which yield plentiful treasury to tn,
dean and cbspter OF Westminster. He hal
the confidence and esteem of the yeries, out
casts Of the world and. lie, the world snee
II il will. he declares. and we believe him
that there are many virtues living side b.
side in the same souls with the sins whici
society sternIy and inexorably Furnishes, an,
religion with pity condemns.
In the earlier part Of his career, NJ
Walker had related TO friend his expert
ence Of the wilderness OF woe TO which b
wen, in faith TO SOW the good seed, and thi
friend being much struck with what he hs
heard. published a particular account
the haunts and habits of the Wes'm'ns'e
thieves. IL must be recollected that thes
thieves are not totally illi,eraie, and th'
they have special inieres. N %s'chin
public events. They subscribe Tor new
papers, ana o'herwlse 'ake a iyhA'e si coy
n']shse % men anu noss;"en e.;S Pa
ag'apn OF mr '" inlua'e'o"s " .n wv wv
'ne eye OF Tue iesoer OF que =, 'ae 90
munster gangs, anu p" was swo,n :" oon'.a'
: tha'. us Tue missionary nao oe"s'eu w.
, commence, ne snoS'd De puS" po nio v
Thames some DARK nigh'' r.o''uehc
! however, prevented tne cohsuna'ion OF 'h