The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-28


A'gioomy day, murky sly and an ocoasioea,
shower We're no obstacle 70 tbs missionaries In
Water street yesterday however much they may
nave lessened the throng that usually gathers at
the prayer meetings in the vicinity OF Johnny Aliens
dance house. The services commenced at five
O'Clock in tue afternoon. This was the formal be
ginning OF the exercises but in the interval. while
the people were assembling, voluntary prayers and
exiemporized singing OF hymns occupied the time
The crowd was large one, despite the drawbacks
OF an unpleasant afternoon and threatening weather
u would have been large for any ordinary occa
sion, and filled not only the back ROOM where
the services were more Immediately directed.
by the missionaries but the store, or barroom, in
'front.' and overlooked into the street outside. In tho
oack room chairs were provided for the attendants
olo"u' anu boards laid stools Increased the
a.Sounlo uatlons. fire IN the barrOOR stove TOOK
on tne emu OF the raw atmosphere but soon became
alatlioI unpleasant addition to the place when the
crown grew dense and cOrrespOndingly warm The
centre OF tne rear room was occupied bya tabis
various religious books while the walls were
hung with the hymn pacards OF the How
ard MISSION S@ o merely th enabling the crowd ::
lines was given out by the moderator It waa
rather democratic gathering and represented
peOpe Of all nations. The missionaries were few ia
number for the first time during the sunday meet
ings. One stationed ina corner and provided with
baritone voice, was constantly melting to hymns.
and when any tagging III zeal was shown by him ne
was quickly supported by voice IN the opposite
corner The crowd surged In and out. Those in the
outer apartment kept their hats Those inside
were more respectful and, with one exception,
doned theirs even before the prayer meeting was
regularly opened. A small boy in the barrOOm made
spread Of photographs representing the famous
.'wickedest man" and his family, and was break
ing the Sabbath by selling his wares.
At five O'clock beneath the nypaper, which almost
touched the heads OF the people IN the close unycn-
tlated room, and in the 1ickerng light OF couple
of gasets the moderator opened the exercises with
q selection from the Scriptures
NO laughter, gen'Pmen," came sarcastlcaliy Iron
the lips OF u maudlin lOater who had forced himself
into the apartment, and unkempt, unshaven, stood
scofIer among the faithful: HIS companion, whe
was similarly affected in the matter of liquor
less inclined to be disrespectfu and impressed
with the solemnty of the proceedings clutcted tho
disorderly man and kept him quiet IL IA vain
attempt however, for he again broke out with a.
command to the leader to '.speak English" which
language he evidently thought was not the vehicle
wherein the lesson from Holy Writ was conveyed.
The moderator then began prayer. He prayed
for the blessings OF the Almighty to descend upon
the work now in hand and invoked ali to come to
Jesus.
.'Not fut," was the refusal OF the drunken chap.
who gazed with very irreverent look at the mOder-
ator as he stood with eyes closed, face upturned ana
arms outstretched.
were near the cause OF interruption suppressed .
litter Its length seemed again to annoy the sc0ffer.
"Oh give US a rest" he shouted.
His comrade, now thoroughly ashamed OF HIM and
finding his efforts close his mouth unavaling, took
the door. The sc0fer made feeble resistance, but
determined that his sentiments should be known
before he took his departure. Just as the moderator
had closed and as he was opening his eyes, lowering
his face and letting fall his arms the rather startling
| exclamation, go to hell" took the place Of the
usual amen. 1t was the final shot OF the intoxicated
| longshOreman. Satisfied with its delivery he per
| mitted himself to he led into the street.
IL would be unfair to say that this conduct was
initiated even commended by the rOugher class Of
| men present. There were many wet eyes that were
already nnamed with dissipation. There were many
voices redOent OF the fumes Of bad whskey that
took part with real sincerity In the singing OF the
! hymns. There were seml-intoxcafed men in the
ul,x fta tha
stmulants that they had partaken Of.
The exercises proceeded without interference after
this incident. The crowd came ana went The
room was always full. Allen himself was every
where, sometimes at the side OF the moderator sing
ing as loudly as any one the hymn given out some
times in the midst OF the congregation
and sometimes at the door 10 conduct to seats tho
ladies who came to assist ut the work. On such Oc-
casions he always made q clean swath for himself
through the crowd. When he wished to bring in the
ladies' people opened right and ert to the door,
and made an unObstructed aisle through which ne
led his visiters.
Outside the gathering so large that the ire
pIessble brother Arnold extempOrized additional
services, and from the elevated steps Of an adJOn
ing warehouse conducted q large open air prayer
The establishment OF Kit Burns, further down the
street. was likewise an attraction TO hundreds.
Through some mistake failure the prayer meeting
announced to take place at his rat pit did not
| of. The crowd wandered into the barro0m, where
table set with cloth and couple OF Bibles, and
inspected the pictures, admired the pugstlc proper
| lions OF Ben Caunt, viewed the stuffed relics Of
| pair Of Kits prize ratters des anted
the famous fight between Sullivan and Hyer pre-
served TO history by the photographers art and
| looked curiousy at the freemason peepbole OF tine
| door communicating with the famous pit. The voice
of the preachers in warning about the other and the
! greater and the more famous pit was silent. Kit.
with his rubicund face and j0yial smile stood the
steps hands in pocket, congratuatug himself that
! he was earning his rent so easily.