The New York herald., 1868-09-27
THE WATER STREET REVIVAL.

HE WAlEk cIMEEA hLVIbALs
,>~~->-~->~~~->>~->-~~~o>>~
The Proprieties Respected In the Pit-NO
More Ratification NIeetings-A GrOwl from
the Great Incorrigible-What MIR. Burns, the
Elder, Thinks.
held in Kit Burns dog pit yesterday could only reform
their less reverend associates far to make them
behave little more like rational Christians, the
Water street revival movement might yet be the
means Of inducing some Of the hardened sinners
who abound in that locality to turn from the
evil Of their ways. Having hitherto not only
permitted, but in their mistaken zeal actually
encouraged, the unseemy demonstrations which
have excited such general indignation, the
organizers OF the mission seem now TO be earnestly
desirous OF efectng such a thorough reformation as
shall convince all interested In the good work OF
evangelization that whatever errors they may have
committed IN their mode of procedure they are at
least free from the charge OF insncerity From the
vast improvement manifested in the conduct OF yes
terday's meeting 1t is clear that this much needed
reform has already been commenced and those who
recently enacted at the Water street matinees VIII
rejoice to learn that the reverend managers ser
ously thinking Of producing purely religious at
fractions instead.
THE DOG PIT.
Not more than twenty thirty persons were
present In the amphltheatre at the commencement
OF the services but at the close nearly all the seats
were occupied The majority OF the visitors had at
any rate the outward appearance Of being respeca-
Dlt mtlllDcrs Oh HOClcIy ana COnuuCte0 themselves
accordingly. Several elderly ladies of maideny
aspect graced the little gallery which Mr. Burns
reserves for the accommodation OF such members
OF the fair sex as may honor his establishment with
a visit and sister Burns would probably have been
considerably astonished had she witnessed the
tender solictude Of her lege lord on their behalf.
Whenever q lady appeared at the door Kit imme-
dIately took her under his protection, cleared pas
sage through the loafers who crowded the barroom,
and escorted her TO the pit with much grace and
sOemnity as the most pous of church ushers could
have displayed. There are soft places yet In the
heart or this rugged dog fighter. Among the last
arrivals o the sterner sex was the notorious Tommy
Hadden.
"Good morning, Brother Haddenr' exclaimed Kit,
''rhe tip top OF the morning to yer reverence
answered the reformed ''Shanghaester," with
W Icked leer.
Conspicuous among the congregation in the rude
little amphitheatre was poorly dressed old man,
with long IRON gray hair, an Intellectual but
rowed brow, slghtess eyes and wrnked hands,
whose horny palms plainly told Of life spent In
honest toll II was really affecting to watch how at
tentivey the good old man listened TO the eloquent
prayers and earnest eXhortations of the preachers
to hear his plaintive voice joining In the hymns and
10 see how reverentlv he bent his knees TO receive
the benedction. Many wondered how the blind man
found his way into such place "a Kit Burns rat
pit and ut the conclusion OF the service one of the
visitors seeing him lett sitting all alone in the
amPinihealre, kindly volunteered to lead hlm out;
=. 1ou piess sou SIT Z, exclaimed the old man: I'm
Great was the astonishment Of the visitor when
informed that the pious blind man was father To the
''iiow long have yon been blind. Mr. Barns - asked
the visitor
"GOlng on tyo years now"
''And how did you lose your sigh; -
"Weil. caught cold first: WAS In an earthquake
once down south America and had TO stand nearly
two days up to my neck in water. The cold made
my eyes bad. and the doctors finished 'em. They
kept rubbing em with blue stone. told 'em not TO.
but they woud and then they cut ern, and lost my
sight altogether
''n what part OF south America were you ~ asked
''Buenos Ayres," answered the Old man al went
dIwn there to settle, ! purchased ten squares of
land for s3,ooo planted 1t, built ditch round IL and
built me "a nice house. Then, in '6l the earthquake
came and swept everything away. II knocked
down my house, uprooted the trees and washed
away chest had with So. in IT, Paper money,
You know; but II was just "a good az gold down
there. lost all my hard earnings and was two days
and and night ia the water before got any help.
That's how LOST my eyes"
You seem very cheerful and resigned under your
Affections Mr. Burns.v
''ics, God be praised" said the old man. raising
his sightess orbs towards the sunlight, which was
streaming through the trap in the roof.
What DID you think Of the meeting to-dayf'
"Coudn't be no better ~ enthusiastically ex.
claimed Kits venerable father
''Have you never tried 10 convert your SOM 10
you not grieve that he leads such q wicked lfeY ~
'What, Kitf' asked the old man. Why yes |
often try TO convert him but taint no ! amt
got haporth OF influence over him in that way.
He's very good 10 me though. I'm sorry he has dog.
fights and all that, but I'm more sorry hes sometimes
given to drink. never took the pledge because
never wanted It. I never drank drop or ntoxicat.
ing liquor In my life; bought it; ne yer sold t.
"But do You not think. 1T possible that Kit may yet
"why, yes, OF course" answered the old man
confidently. Everybody can be converted. Worse
men than him have been brought 10 love Christ, Kit
loves Christ In his heart now and he'll own up be-
fore long.r
.'Ameni- exclaimed the visitor.
KIT GRowIS.
Ae those who had been listening attent ively 10
the blind mans story were passing through the bar
ROOM mine host OF the "Sportsmans Hallr was
heard complaining Of a certain reporter, whom he
declared had 'sQOue backr him.
Flows that, Kit ~ asked one OF his friends.
why some fellow got his snoot busted round the
corner there, somewhere and the paper made II out
as If knew all about IL. What do they take me for I'd
Ike to knowS Anybody as knows me knows faint
''You Deny having any hand in itg'
"Why, yes, OF course docs " returned Kit en,-
phaically, but what's the use. Here's Bergh down
on me now through them papers BLOWN. You ask
the plceman there, If he aint put the kbosh on me
altogether
what no more ratification meetings. Kit,-
''No, sir.r replied Mr.. Burns; ''it can't be did,
At this Juncture the Rev. Mr.. Arnold OF the How
ard Mission. stepped up to XII and handed him q
little paper package supposed 20 contain sstamps.n
which had the immediate effect OF restoring him TO
his usual good humor
jon. ALLEN.
The usual prayer meeting was held at John Aliens
and was numcrously attended. "Tere We are sir ~
exclaimed boy at the door Carte de vlste OF the
Wickeiest Man In New York, only ave cents.r
The great convert of Water street was discovered
the ''agonios of composon;' he has taken to writ
ing hymns. The following is not bad for a begin
Were volunteers for Jesus
And we will firm remain,
TIL all the world shall know Him
And bess Messiah name.
What though the world despis. th.,s
Oh. let ne gladly share
Thy home IN Heaven abovs u.
And We vii praise thee there
~ Lord, crave Thy blessin ns.
We know fhoult not DENY
Thy children OF this favor
When unto Thee
Olet us he more perfect
In all our walks IN life.
Then take us home 10 Heaven
Where neer 10 rife.
YACHTING NOTES.
The yacht Josephine passed through Hell Gate yes