The New York herald., 1868-09-05

In consequence OF the humid condition OF the
atmosphere and the exposure in tie HERALD OF the
scheme OF the Bohemian writer's ana dealers in piey
10 advertise John Al,en's den Of debauchery as
house OF prayer the attendance at noon yesterday
was not so ''mixed" nor so "fervent," although
large as on previous occasions. Among the very
depraved OF the neghborhoOd, who are Us fond OF
excitement as other people, "the thingr as one OF
the most boated Of the Cyprians remarked sis about
played out"
In consequence OF the rush OF pickpockets to the
"love feast" to pluck the pigeons whom curiosity or
real desire to assist in furthering a good work
prompted to attend, and who for day or two got
hold Of several very desirable Feathers" it was
deemed necessary to place policemen at the door
and detectives within the house to pre-
order and prevent, while the "scnsationistsr
were at prayer their pockets being relieved OF their
contents The very fact that for the purpose OF ply
ing their vocation common thieves gathered together
in tue den OF the ''Wickedest Man." who does not
profess that he has ''g0t religion, although DOUBT
seriously impressed" ought to satisfy every honest
and discerning mind that the eXhortations of the
missionaries are not of character TO be called bene
fetal.
The praying yesterday was in the usual vein,
mostly OF the snue order, with shakes in the voice,
such az Burton assumed when he impersonated
Mawworn. There were plenty OF interJections In
terardedwth the aspirations offered for the saving OF
the "Wickedest Man's'' soul, who stood in rather
unconcerned manner In the midst of the throng as
IL he too, were getting tired Of the farce.
There are many OF John Aliens Old associates who
laugh at the idea OF his conversion. They per-
suaded that there Is something beside "regionr in
the movement. Money, some whisper is the main
spring OF the whole affair." Our own opinion is, the
man is sincere enough, and will continue as long
as the excitement is kept up or the ''teachers who
surround him can influence him.
The story that the vile women living at other dens
in the immediate neghbOrhOOd not per-
mitted by their keepers to enter the Allen bagniO
and listen 81 to words OF saving grace" which some
has caused to be bruited abroad in anticipation
Of failure in the enterprise, Is false. These women
do attend; but they look upon the whole thing as a
rich joke and are less affected I'm heart by the words
they hear than in stomach by the gin they drink.
One OF these remarked to sister In depravity, In the
writer's hearing " Come, jimmy, let's go an git some
gin. Thin preachn chaps make me - dryp'
Such 1t is fair to remark is the e1ect OF the pray
ers on the minds OF the degraded ones who gather
within the bar bar and and, dance a. rooms Of Johnny "a Allen
1t related OF him that he has for years been In the
habit, as the fit took MIN, OF swearing or praying to
exhanstion; that in the midst OF the orgies Of his
den he would suddenly rush from his barroom,
where, perhaps he had been engaged In q fight or
swearing match, to the dance hall, and there falling
on his knees petition long and loudly for himself and
the wretches who stood in wonder around him.
We regret to say that the work Of changing the
hearts" OF the fallen creatures In Water street
promises to be q failure. The Instruments engaged
in IL, even II sincere, are not calculated for
o man OF enthusiasm-one Of their class, master
Of rough language and homely bits OF philosophy,
and who intuitively knows exactly the emotions
which govern his hearers, and how best to direct
them for their special benefit.
LETTER FROM THE "wICKEDEsr MAN."
John Allen IL not q very bad man. He id0lizes
children, and his own he loves beyond measure. No
very wicked man. Notwithstanding what the sensa-
ton m0ngers may say to the contrary, can love the
little folks or .sufer them to come unto him. Now
John desires that his gratitude to the Dover Street
Mission School should be known, and 80 he pub
fishes card In which he returns thanks for its In
terest In his little boy Chester. II is as foows-
To PUBLIo-As little have sought enjoyed
torety, by chance to have been gained for me,
through the zeal Of interested In welfare who's:
touch heArt with religion has led them to hold
up the public 'the wckedest man In New York. "
made my Infant Chester notorious Many discus
disputes have arisen where he educated
! am frank to say that he was educated entire
ly the Dover Street Mission School, and a
the request Of the infant baby, who is only
six years old and beg that the of his teacher Mrs
Williams, lying beneath the sod shall
bered also request before concluding this article, to
thanks Captain Richardson, Mr. j. Rhue
Mr. George W. Egleson the superintendent OF the school
the jantor OF the Port Society," Mr. Bsbee who have
helped infant cold weather his school
herewith acknowledge the thanks Of myself wife and
for past fay0rs JOHN ALLEN
This, OF course, was not written to bring the mis-
sion before the public oh, no.