The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1855-08-30
Five Points House Of Industry
NO. -.
lConcluded.l

To the Editor Of the Echo and Advertiser;
1t was nearly impossible, by all the
arts, and persuasion of Christian kind
ness, to win a moments serious atten-
ton from one Of this company, gethered
from the very vestibule of bell. Even
if successful in this, the mis- ssionary soon
saw that but little progress was made,
as the utter impossbility of escape from
their wretched mode of life, Except
through the gates of death, was forced
upon him in the first attempt at practi-
cal reformation. None would intrust
them with work, far less admit them in
to their houses or work shop. Consa-
quently they looked upon the first step
from the paths Of debasing vice towards
virtuous life, as voluntary act of self
martyrdom. Perceiving at once that
self respect and independence, growing
out of an honest livelihood, was the first
requisite of an honest life, Especially
with the objects of his mission) Mr..
Pease exerted himself with great assidu-
ity to obtain employment for some of
the more promising of his poor clients,
while several were taken into his own
house, fed and clothed. But his posi-
ton was severely trying. He felt this
great work resting wholly upon himself.
Yet he met its difficulties and trials as
an agent of Christ, whose mission was
thereto appointed, and must be fulfilled.
The unfortunate females made their ap-
peals of piteous eloquencc. Don't
tell u.s." they cried, "how innocent
and happy we once were, and how wick
ed, and miserable, and infamous we mo,o
are don't talk to us Of death and retri-
button, and perdition before US; We
want no preacher to tell us that-but
tell us, Oh ! tell us some ray of escape!
Give US acork and wagts ! Do but give
us some other master than the Devil,
and we pW serve him." Mr.. Pease
thought this was true, honest state
mcnt of their case and endeavored to
respond to it. The community thought
otherwise, and that made his task doub-
ly trying. He now applied to the en-
ployers Of female labor in the city
With great perseverance be at last sue
ceeded in finding shirt-manufacturer,
who consented to accept his personal re-
sponsibility for the materials, and on
that security try the experiment of Civ
ing out work to the Five Points. This
was in July, 1850. The wretched wo-
men were now summoned by Mr.. Pease
to meet in his Chapel, for aosrk-honest
work-a thing unknown and impossible
to them till that day. The notice was
given out in the Chapel, and circulated
from house to house, by the missionary,
that on Monday morning, at o'clock,
the Chapel would be opened as a work-
room for all who desired to gain an hon
est living. Long before the appointed
hour, large number of females were
waiting before the door of the Chapel;
and thirty-fve Or forty commenced work
the first day. A few wholesome regu-
lations were imposed, which were gen.
orally observed. They did we'll but
very few rclapscd into drunkenness, or
vice; and from that day to this not an
article of work has been purloined by
one Of these unfortunate women. Thus,
reader, you have in this noble, iudivid-
ual effort of Mr.. Pease, to employ, be-
friend, and redeem these unhappy female
outcasts, both the origin and object of
the Five Points House of Industry
In our next we purpose to NOTICE sue
cinctly its progress and condition.