The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-10
KIT BURNS.
HIS Rat Pit Dedicated as n Home for Fall
Women.

HIS Rat Pit Dedicnssd led as Home for Fallen
The haunt at 273 Water st., N. Y, known as
"Kit Bnrns' Rat PIT" which has been hired by
Rev. William H. Boole of Mrs. Burnt, who owns
the property, for mission and home for the
reform of abandoned women, was on Tuesday
dedicated to that purpose with religious services
and appropriate addresses. The large room on
the first floor which was formerly bar-room
and Is now to be devoted to daily prayer meet
ings and other religious gatherings, was crowded
with people, many of them ladies' who desired
to exhibit their interest and sympathy in the
benevolent enterprise. A great many of the
denizens of that region gathered about the en-
trance and Kit and his companions who still
occupy the adjoining premises, freely expressed
their disgust for the whole proceedings.
The exercises were opened with singing and
prayer, after which Bishop James, of the Me-
thodist Episcopal Church, made an address. He
said that there was an interest attached to the
occasion beyond its mere novelty. 1t was pro-
posed to recover and reform these unfortunate
beings, not only by ministerng to their physical
wants, or by the force OF moral suasion, but by
the power and influence of religion. 1t was not
hopeful field of labor, but 1t was Christs field,
and the most solemn obligation rested upon His
followers to devote themselves 10 its work. 1t
was said that not one in q thousand of these
women could be permanently reclaimed, but
that made it none the less duty to do all that
can be done to rescue them from their degrada-
ton. Some of the degraded ones had given pro-
mise, in their early years. of great beauty of
character and all the virtues which adorn the
life of woman, but they had been robbed and
cheated of the heritage by villains who, per
chance, move in the best circles of society, and
receive no condemnation for their foul deeds.
A terrible day of reckoning awaited them, but
in the meantime their poor victims, whose very
sensitiveness and delicacy had prevented them
from facing society and avoiding utter ruin, de-
serve our deepest pity and tenderest sympathy.
Rev. Stephen II. Tying said that his was his
second visit to this place. About ear ago he
had preached in the yard i'm The rear of the
building, and had become convinced that the
movement which was begun for the regenera-
tion OF Water street was no transtory excite
ment. He had no confidence, he said, in bene-
violence which springs from sense of duty. To
be effective 1t must spring from an intense love
of Christ, and a consequent desire to benefit all
who need our aid, regarded as His representa-
tives. Personal influence is what was needed
these poor women wanted was the presence of
sympathizing hearts and the aid and encourage
ment of Christian men and women.
Mr.. Woodruff then arose and said that he
knew of no way of at once carrying into effect
the exhortations which had been given except
by giving $5 to the cause, and asking nineteen
other persons to give a like amount, to make up
800 to assist Mr.. Boole in beginning his good
work. The sum was very soon made up, and
one gentleman having given $50 this was taken
as a basis for second 800, which was soon
completed, and then q general collection was
taken up resulting in an addition of about $50
to the funds already given. Daily prayer meet
ings, from 12 to p. M. are to be held at the
Mission, and evening meetings will soon be in
augurated.