The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-02
Our oyercrowded Schools.

Investigations made by our reporters
during the last few days show that the
compulsory school law was put into opera
ton before adequate accommodations had
been prepared for the increased attend
ance that followed the enforcement of the
statute. In many instances more than
double the number Of children that should
have been admitted were crowded into
badly lighted ana poorly ventilated
rooms. A majority OF them were under
seven years OF age, and their puny, pale
faces attested to the work Of death that is
surely preparing for plentiful harvest.
Indeed, our reports show that several have
already died from this cause in Jersey
City, where the schools are not more
crowded than they are in New York.
This is an evil which should be remedied
ut once by dismissing a sufficient number
of the children to make ample room for
those remaining Then an adequate num-
Der OF primary schools should be erected
OIL sanitary plans that will insure the
health and comfort of the little ones.
One OF the most striking features Of the
former revival operations Of Brother MOODY in
various cities has been wholly ignored by him
In New York when revvalizinE Ia Chicago he
used to preach a great deal among the very
hardest sort OF sinners In the very toughest parts
OF the city. He did the same thing in Edln-
bureh ana Glasgow. with great success during
his British tour. He did the same thing again
when be went to London; and only q few days
since be told In one of bis sermons how he
there preached In one Of the dog pounds in
which the cock fighters, dog fancie and
roughs congregate Sunday. According to
the biographers Of Brother MOODY, II has always
been his particular delight TO gather in from
these unpromisinR fields great haryests Of sin
ners who seemed wholly given over TO deviltry.
Now, 1t does not appear why Brother MOODY
has entirely refrained from this kind OF work in
New York, and why we hear nothing OF hts de-
sire to take 1t up. He certainly does not draw
the rouRher portions OF the community TO the
Hippodrome. where he has been toiing for a
month, and where he expects TO toll for yet
many weeks. Now, It is matter Of old trsdi-
ton that when the mountain would not come
| to MAHoMET MAHoMEr went to the noun
tain and this Incident conveys impor-
tant lesson, which Brother MOODY cannot
| fail to comprehend. The rough and hea-
| thenish portions OF the population OF this
city are no worse than similar Glasses in
| Chicago, Glasgow, or London f; and II many con-
verts were made from these classes In other
cities we should suppose some could be made
hero. Even Brother MOODY might be astonshed
| to hear Of the vast multitudes Of heather in
New York and II he knew how strangely they
are elected by the clergy OF various creeds, he
might at least try to undertake a task which
would call out all his powers. He can easily
nnd the localities where he is needed, and II he
will spend a day or two In exploring the densely
populated regions on the east side. he will prob
ably not see the necessity OF going any further.
For some time past few horny handed Teyi-
valst reformers like PETER DIVER aud JERRY
hcCAULEY have been trying 10 do something
among these heather, but they are light
weights, or, let us say, inexperienced men with
slight powers and small means and they have
met with very poor success II MOODY and
| sASKEY were TO cut hose from the Hippodrome
and boldly strike out into heathendoul, preach
| ing and singing there day and night, they might
| In time behold such results as they have never
yet seen in all their revival experience in Chi
cago, Glasgow, or London.