New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-09-02
JOHN ALIENS PRAYER-MEETING.

STRANGE SCENES IN wATER-sT.-wHo WERE
THERE-wHAT TIE DANCE-HOusE kLLPERS
TIIINK-INCIDENTs OF THE MEETING
The stranger who passed through Water-st.
at noon Yesterday must have been impressed with the
fact that something unusual going on there. While
other portions Of the street presented their wonted ap
pearance, with hafclad. fat, greasy-ooking women
coarse bloated beasty men, ana neglected chldreh'
Longing around tho many for which the street Is
noted or waowng in the mre OF the CUTTERS the slde-
walks between Dover and Roosoveltsts were occupied
by knots Of men, pOrters sailors, longshoremen, bar
tenders mingled with whom were some wolldressed
clerks warehousemen, and disgusting looking women
with sicly children in their arms JOhn Alien sal9on
or what was formerly his saloon. was literally packed
with men, representing almost every class M society u
the crowd extended across the sdewak INTO tne nuy 90
of the street At the further side OF the inner room Oh
the establishment were number OF cergyen, hV ,
EeV Mr. Graves Of Boston DR. j. 81 Ward Of New Jersey
Mr. Van Meter Of tho Howard Mission the Rev Mr. keld
OF the NlacdOugast Baptist Church-who conducted the
brokers who i'm sympathy with the revival movement
nm WateTst and who have promised that funds sha not
be wanting TO carry forward the efforts for the eVahge
zaton of the Fourth Ward The exercises charac-
narip9ie1 and the intense interest evnccd 10y all who
present Hardened criminals were moved TO teals
and joined in the hymns with feryor rarely seen except
why exclaimed roughlookng man in checked o,
shirt and coarse patched pantaOOns confined ABOUT MS
hips with old cahern strap 81 know all them hymns
aud han't heard em afcre since was Doy ca any
"a, 10
preachiug but all comes back to me now Ism II Sor
Among those who made addresses was gentleman
who related IN a very touching manner the incidents OF
his conversion several years ago, while meiDcr " "a
the drama entitled Pauline he was led TO see now sl
ful lac was and TO cry out LORD ne mercu 70 i m
sinner" lie left the stage, no said, and walked Gown
Broadway 10 Grandst, that same prayer cOnSlh,Y ic
peatng itself in his mind as ne mnged WIN tnc Sly
was about To enter his room quietly, that ne HgLt 10y
disturb his mother but he passed her door, he hs'u
I.rN nd. b.
a prayer for his salvation IL WOuiu nc lHPO'
se 10 describe the meeting Of mother and son. the earn
EST u,crs hch thew together addressed God, the
oy that filled their hearts when the young man heard
the voice, "Thy SINS, which were many, are ioIgNSn
Mr. Allen said that though he had mode up ms NINA 70
lead a better life, no had not yet made pubic
profession Of faith, or decided TO ION any
church II would be his wish TO remain In oDscurlty'
but since his name had become somewhat well kOWh'
should talk them though they were children lie eit
that lie had very much to learn IN rms new ne on "ic
he had set out. lie listened TO throughout Win
marked attention After addresses and prayers by sey
eral other gentlemen The Rev Matthew liae 9lh tqe
the closing remarks, saying that the pcOpo ~
that vicinity looked upon this movement with dstrust,
there 70 nTov as their enemies I'm this Mr. Smith
mistaken, he himself would learn had he mingled Win
the crowd did reporter, and noted the cXpcsOhs
that dropped by those who throngcd the house and
the street IN THAI vicinity. -, 10, . mar, ,rossod IN
Weren't YOU ever in John Aliens dance house r. re-
question Why. this ere house one of the worst ia
the whole city. John was regular old tcareT ana ne
In here and sit down like you could IN other
you must either drink dance or plank down the money
the ruin Of me, for come mighty near getng 10 STATE
prison oil FOR this house. When come back from ne
navy here night with $500 in my pocket and
lay yOndcr IN that cOrncr-pontiug To one end or the
barrOom" all night, and that's all over knew about
the money. But I'm the LORDS side, them mis-
sionares picked me NJ out OF tho gutter and am now
Johns in earnest" said dance house keeper Who
stood on the opposite side ~ the street while the meeting
was In progress, but he's playing HI with the business
hayn't taken dollar This week Iu then. spose ~
all right, and the best thing for al OF us I'm not agon
shut up my house but I'm goin to travel Tor about ok
months, aud when get back expect the business WIZ
be dead aud lac did not seem 10 feel very Dad over inc
A roughlooklns man seized Mr.. Arnold by the hand,
after tho close OF the meeting, saying: y I've Just
'rouud here In Chcr.s and family has lived there
for more than We have never been To church,
aud / came round here today out OF curiosity. ton
van I'm clad come for ~ has done good. really
hopo you will have Sunday meetings here for want to
I'm shut IN my two houses today" said the proprietor
OF two dcns" TO Mr. Dyer, II YOU VIII only place me
ia position 10 earn bread Tor my wife and child
might hear among tho crowd that gathered IN the
vicinity. OF course, mixed up with these was much pro
the general mpro that Mr.. Allen was m earnest
in his professions and that movement had been IN
augurated la Nator 81 that is 70 work revolution ero
salutary the one that las taken place at mo fNe
Points during the last Il, ido. Before the meeting was
closed the Rev. Mr. Reid announced that MI Allen aud
his wife extended cordial invitation 90 all present 10
them again today FOR the purpose OF prayer
and exhortatlon, and when tho "DoXoogy"
had been sung the crowd began 10 disporte Mr. Allen
stood near door aud each passed lac took them
nv lilo hands II hone you'll all como again morrow.
self bat then youIl meet here who VIII do you
good Not among tho least interested Of the audience
house They dressed IN their holiday attire, and
Joined singing with much apparent enjoyment and
little Chester also the center OF much attraction