The New York herald., 1873-11-17
WEST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Preaching the Gospel TO the Destitute
The Work in LOndon-DiscOurse by
Rev. John AshyvOrth.

Preaching the Gospel to the Destitute
The Work in London-DiscOurse by
Rev. John Ashworth.
The pulpit at the West Presbyterian church, on
Forty-second street, was, last evening, by special
request, hlled by Rev. John Ashworth, OF Rochdae,
England. author Of Strango Talks from Humble
Life.n Mr.. Ashworth, who came to this country
as member of the Evangelical Alliance, has been
engaged for many years in preaching
THE GOSPEL Tc THE DESTITUTE
and criminal classes in London, and his discourse
last evening was devoted to some account Of his
work. He opened by describing his own position,
which is that Of local or lay preacher in the
Methodist Church. He had been converted from the
OF his ways when but IL years OF age, and at
19 had been licensed to preach. The work OF minis
ters OF his class such as could not be done by
the regular or Inherent ministry. For many years
he had occupied position in the Sabbath school,
preaching as required, and at the same time attend
ing to his secular business. On one occasion he
accidentally entered the Home OF the Destitute in
London, and there the idea occurred to him Of
providing
for such as these. He had but short time before
especially consecrated himself to God and prayed
that the way might be opened whereby he could
become Instrumental IN saving souls. He con-
sldered this All answer to his prayer and immedi-
ately set about his work. He procured a room and
then went out among the class he desired to
benefit and personally invited them TO meet him
on a certain evening. He graphically described an
interview with gang OF thieves whom he
met IN a low den, and who, upon his per-
suason, marched to the place Of worship IN
a body. lie soon compelled to obtain
a larger room and subsequently, as the charitable
became interestedn In MS work, he had been enabled
to build quarters which were not only devoted to
preaching but to relieving the destitute He now
had a olind missionary and a blind sister in his
employ, who went about among that class or un-
fortunates, ano three other missionaries. For
Is years he had never the slightest trouble
concerning revenue In the start he mad deter
mined o leave that matter in the hands OF God, and
IL had been well attended to. He had met with
many discouragements; there were many well
meaning persons who thought mis- project not feas-
BILE or oil doubtful utility but he had gone on,
BLIND AS A BAT
and deaf as a post to everything which could stand
in his way. He had been wont TO impress on
his congregation that every member must bring
one other with him, and that other the worst that
could be found.
The secret or his success, he thought, lay in the
fact that he had determined TO look upon every
man brother and every woman as sister.
he lett no opportunity OF benehtng those he came
in contact with pass whether materially or NOR
ally. he strove TO obtain work Tor sucn AS needed
it, in which he had been greatly assisted by John
Bright, whose second son and eldest daughter, as
he incidentally mentioned, were engaged in his
institution. There was connected herewith q
scnool, numbering 200, all children OF drunken
parents. In conclusion, and throughout his dis
course, he urged upon his audience that their de-
sire and consequent effort TO extend tae Gospel TO
the destitute would be in proportion TO the love oil
God in the heart, and eXhorted them to higher
standard OF Christian grace.