Huntington independent. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1871-1874, 1873-08-07
Saving Sinners.

Ever since the days of John Allen,
the wickedest man in New York. and
Tommy Hadcn, who aspired with
some degree of justice to rank with
Allen, Water street has been
fuvorito working ground for the
missionaries of this city. Little
missions have been established at
various points, and the work Of re
forming and chrIstianzing the
denizens of these slums and sinks of
iDiqui;y has been goicg steadily on,
its results being shown in gradual
reform of the worst features of the
streets, and in the reclaiming Of
many of the thieves, lewd women,
and drunkards who abound there.
Among these missions is one at
BIG Water street, under the minlstra-
tions of the Rev. Geo. J. Mingins.
It is called "The Helping Hand of
Men" and the one room which forms
the mission serves as church, chapel
and reading room. Itis neat room
of moderate size, fitted up with a
melodeou, a reading desk, aud af-
fords seats for about one huGdreJ
persons. The religious services In
clude preaching on Sunday, noon
day prayer meetings every day and
experience meetings every evening.
The Sunday services are inrari bly,
we'll attended, as are also the even
ing meetings, but as yet the numbers
who BILE at noon ore few.
/ To one who knew this ncighbor-
hood in the days when Johr A!'aa
and Tommy Haden shed their lurid
rays of wickcdness broadcast through
the streets, the scene presented by
this little mission, an oasis in de-
sert of misery and vice, is a novel
and moving one. Enter at 7:30 ir
the morning and we shall find twenty or
thirty men, women and children Assem-
| bled All bear about them more or less
of the taint o. Water street life. Old
men are there seeking the light which
has been shut out hitherto from thelI
gloomy lives; th're are young men with
! the air Of the State Prison still on them
young women whose features show trace;
of years of dissipation, and little children
in rags and tatters, barefooted and bare
legged, with faces betraying precociou'
knowledge Of the world as they have seer
il. A mild featured young man plays th'
accompaniment gives out the hymns anc
leads the singing, aud Jerry McCauIey
;he superintendent Of the Mission, himsei
e reformed druukard, leads in praye. snC
recites his experience.
II used to be one Of the worst cases II
this ward, says Jerry McCsuley, will
an easy gesture. "Yes, one Of the yer.
worst. can't tell you how bad was
but can tell you hope an saved.
("Amen." from the leader Of the singln!
and young gentleman ir black "hc'
do know I'm saved? you ask. Vel
III tell you. Because the things oue
loveI love no more
Az Jerry McCauley sits down hymn
ia given out, and al join in singing
g az lcTe 10 tell the story,
Twill be my tLepe in glory
To tell the old, old story
OF Jesus and his love-"
a 'ea-faring nan, with bronze fsc'
| and hands horny and grim from har
labor, speaks next
81 am a saved man, thank God.
;; have been q drnnksrd and worse. II
my own boss now and no rum-seller an
human soul-seller can say to me, $50
Liverpool
As he sits down the singing begir
again, and at its close young woma
! tells her story. She has been among Il
D vIlest Of the vile from her birth; ha
!. known no better until she came With