National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-12-21
THE HELP MISSION.
A Practical work Of Chart,

In the low frame building at the northwest
corner OF Eighth and L streets about three weeks
ago: was established Help Mission, where men
in suffering and distress could ind lodging and
a bowl Of soup. There the footsore and hungry
who are unable to find work means TO leave
the city find place to lay their heads.
The idea occurred accidentally or provldentially
toCapt. JIG II ester, @ well known and active mem
Der Of the Dung Mems Christian Association. He
was tittiCg in the reading room, in the building
of the association on the 4th instant and observing
some fifteen poor and pissraoleclad wanderers
he started out at once to see what could be done
for them. Before the day was ended they were
and L streets. Some one donated stove; others
sent in several loaves Of bread and the sufferers
found themselves, comparatively speaking, in the
midst Of plenty. Since then, though three weeks
have not elapsed, the institution has become a
permanent one, and mainly through the efforts
Of practical Christian, the gentleman who Or
RaniZed it, Captain Hester.
Up to the 18th inst, lodgings had been furnished
to 342 people, 454 loaves Of bread had been fur
nished to the hungry, $40 bowls Of soup and 73I
cups Of coffee.
At present there are about forty dodgers every
night.
At 7:3O o'clock every evening there is prayer
meeting, conducted by Captain Hester or some
one invited ty him, during which short addresses
are made, and in which the dodgers participate.
established a sort Of repu6iic' Every night =
captain is elected, who has sole charge during
the night. A cook is selected from their own
number, bare-footed ones, who ara afraid OF drop
ping any hot Goals, being generally preferred.
During the day, those who are without shoes
and poorly clad remain at the mission and do the
necessary house work, and the others 60 out and
hunt for work. The privileges allowed to the
dodgers in their selfgovernment has had its re-
ssd has snms Suv 70 ever s s%
does it cheerfully and willingly.
There are only four rooms, two Of which are
used as lodging-rooms, and the others, one as
Kitchen and Otflce and fQ0uiry-rOOm
The inquiry room is open all day, where one soul
at time is instructed in the way OF salvation; hot
soup is furnished at the same time. When Capt.
Hester is not in attendance one OF the dodgers
who has found the Gross is detailed for duty In
the inguiry:Ioom. The prsyeTmeetings have been
eighteen days Of the existence Of the mission an
average Of one convert day has been made. The
deal Of the praying. Whenever anything is need.
ed, such as cesl or bread, sincere prayers Of
fered. and only on two occasions they have been
only once have they wanted for bread. The two
lodging rooms are scantily furnished.
In the front room is q stove which throws ont
home-like warmth; q long bench Is stretched
at one side Of the room; row Of pegs on the
wall support row Of hats in all stages of old age
some Of which have tramped with their owners
over almost the whole country. An interesting
scene is afforded at the nightly prayer.meetings.
The inmates gather in the front room. As many
q few rickety chairs furnish seats for others, and
the rest stand up about the room or sit upon the
floor. There are young and Intelligent faces; un-
shaved and sulIen faces; the grizzled heads OF
old tramps. Some are clothed quite comfort
ably, in the last remnants Of gentility, and Q
few of them-the Rristocratic ones-wear collars,
and still fewer possess cravats. Faded and
threadoare coats, pants frayed and patched, and
cracked and soleless shoes, make up the ward
robe Of the greater number. AS the meeting ad:
yanees the dodgers give the closest attention, and
more than one kneels with q sincere determine
ton to lead q better lie.
All the work is done by charity, The man.
ayers Of the institution ask nothing from any one
on earth. All is obtained through prayer, and
those who contribute.are the instruments Of God.
Although they do not 20 about seeking subscrlp-
lions and contributions in the shape Of food coal,
old clothes, money or anything will be most well
able and CbristIan-like enterprise. The prayers
OF the wanderers have always been answered and
It remains with the charity Of the citizens of this
city to become the instruments Of their fulfill
ment.