The New York herald., 1873-09-01
FIVE POINTS MISSION.
Services or Song and Precept Among tn
Poor Children-Interest Sunday Ex

Services or Song and Precept Among the
Poor Chiidren-Intercsting Sunday Ex-
ercises.
Thirty years ago OF the most noted OF the
criminal haunts in New York was ''the Old Brew
ery in Cross street. 1t stood on the southery side
OF that street, which Will now be found on the
city map. A slight change in the line has ex-
tended Park street that the site of the Old Brewery
now fronts on it. Leading north from the Brewery
was little Water street. crossing Anthony street
NOW WORTH, and terminating In cul de sac known
as Little Cow Bay, which originally extended to the
edge of the COllect-a large deep spring, in which
John Fitch made the first experiments in steam
navigation, and whose outflow found It's way by the
canal now Canal street) to the North River and
in the opposite direction sent fresh water stream
across Chatham street down the line now held by
Roosevelt street to the East River. Opposite the
Brewery was the plot bounded by five streets which
gave name to the neighborhood almost equlva-
lent to an earthly hell. In this infected district
"the Brewery" occupied as o tenement rookery,
one Of the most loathsome parts and Its tenants
the most degraded and vicious.
Now, by change in street lines the area once
bounded by five streets has become a triangle,
formed by Park street, Worth street and Mission
place. The dens Of infamy which covered 1t have
disappeared and 1t has become
AN OPEN BREATHING SPACE
for the benefit OF the denizens OF the crowded
streets which converge upon it. Little Water
street and Cow Bay have disappeared. Anthony
street has become Worth street In place OF the
Old Brewery are now the large Mission buildings,
owned by the New York LADIES' Home Missionary
Society Of the Methodist Episcopal Church. which
during twenty-three years Of persistent labor has
built and paid for the extensive buildings and the
land whereOn they stand. Across the open space,
formerly the Five Points, stands similar chari-
table institution, the Five Points House OF
Industry.
HERALD reporter yesterday afternoon seeing
gathering OF bright-iaced children at the "uld
Brewery and passing with them through the first
room. neat chapel which will seat some 300 per-
sons, found himself in large sch0ol-rOom, occupy
ing the site OF the old rear row OF tene ement apart
ments Here were nearly 800 boys and girls of
from i've to fifteen years old, formed In classes for
the study OF
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
and religious instruction under the guidance OF
some twenty ladies and gentlemen residing in
various parts OF the city, and some OF them owning
names well known In business, professional ana
social circles. These children are the produce Of
the neighborhood, including such streets as Baxter,
Mott. Mulberry and Park. Some of them have heen
which has rescued them and In many cases assisted
their parents to escape from beggary, vagrancy
and crime by giving them instruction and employ
ment
After half an hour passed in the class exercises,
the lady who acts as superintendent and who at
home graces high social position, stood at desk
on a platform at one end OF the rOOm while one Of
her assistants opened piano. This was signal
for all the school to join in singing, the recitation
OF texts and listening TO instructive and encOur-
aging remarks by the superintendent and the Mis-
sionary, the Rev. James N. Shafier. All the chill
dren joined in singing such pieces as "Jerusaiem,
the Golden,n "Jesus Loves Me" and "Waitng for
the Master !hsly bright, happy faces and clear
musical tones making
SCENE OF RARE INTEREST
and beauty. There was no set lecture or address.
AS the pupils IN various parts of the school rose at
a call and recited a Scripture verse the Superin-
tendent would add iew words to clincn upon
their young minds the import of the words they
had repeated explaining their sense and charging
upon them in q practical and most effective man.
She also read reports concerning the condi-
ton and prospects of several children for whom
ana expressed her happiness and that OF her asso-
ciates that those who had been destitute ana
abandoned in the city had found happiness with
those who love and will properly provide Tor them.
AT the close IL was announced that
THE DAY SCHOOL OF THE MISSION
woua open n toaay s average th dsi @
cation, who visited the school before the vacation,
certified that It's teaching was satisfactory. Though
under Methodist auspices, the Mission proposes to
be wholly undenomlnational-to teach pety, NOR
atty industry, sobriety and truth, with the ee-
ments OF useful education. Attached to the Mis-
sion is large free reading ROOM with library Of
1000 standard volumes, donations from citizens.
Here are regular files OF the city news
papers, given to rn the Mission by the sew
evening, and is usually thronged, so that fire.
quently 1t has 200 readers in an evening, who pass
been thrown away, or worse. An industrial school,
in which girls taught to earn their living, an
other part OF the mission work, as Is also the ind
ing employment Tor boys and girls and their
parents. 1t also furnishes apartments for seven
teen poor families. Besides this the missionary
holds religious services every Sunday night, which
are very well attended and OF great interest.
From the old scenes OF the Brewery and It's
crimes the change to an institution OF charity and
Is indeed reform which should crafty
and encourage those by whose labor it has been
wrought.