New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-09
HELPING THE NEEDY.
WORK AMONG THE WRE1CHED AND
HUNGRY.


A SINGULAR SUNDAY SCENE on THE WATERFRONT
-uor COFFEE AND PLAIN PREACHING FOR THE
POOR.
Wandering down the East River front. with ts
tall dingy warehouses on side ard tho long,
hedee-lkc row of bristlIng nasts on the other.
tribune reporter Sunday afternoon was observing
the many types Of humanity to be seen along ihat
edge of the city, The air was cool and bracing the
sun was shining brightly and the people were ou'
in the streets ENJOYING tho Indian summer AT
every step something new or something interesting
was presented. Here four little girls had gathered
a companion nio n large shawl, and Win us lonr
corners in their hands they were carrying her
around and Offering her for sale to the Da'Ners-Dy'
some OF whom dropped coins without asking Tor the
delivery of their purchase Bits Of boys, scarcely
out of their baby-clotbes. were playing marbles
here and there. or i,b'ng among themSelyes-the
latter occupation being most frequent and the aP-
parent outcome of every other. Old women passed
by bearing heavy bundles on their heads
with wrnkled, caro-worn faces that seemed
never to have been lighted mp by
single happy thought There were sailors am
bling along in the uncouch manner men uHaccus-
toned TO walking upon solid earth, and there were
others not sailors who amblcd still more, owing to
n cause not altogether scparable from an alcoholic
cxhalation which came from them.
Walking down Souih-,t., just opposite the R0oSe-
welt Street Ferry in front # big warehouse the
reporter saw a large crowd assembled around a hne-
looking portly man with sllyery hair, who was earn
estly addressing them. He talked in i loud tone
using plan hoIncly language that the poorest, most
i;erate of the unicnDt crowd could clearly nm
derstaud. There nothing hah-h Dwn about the
preaching, there were d0gInJs brought mp or as
sailed. and there were Greek or Laun quotations
10 De- explained.
The audience was Of the humblcst class out at
thu knees and elbo vs. with battered hats and worn
cut shoes There were women rs well men IN
tie crowd and not few little children were among
the grown people. All kept excellent or
der. S,uic who came apparently with the
intention of in,eTupting or insulting the
speaker soon hushed their voices, dropped their
profluc bautcrngs ana became Quot listeners.
Tire man had power over the crowd, and ne knew
il and ex rcsel 10. The sermon ne preached was
one to encourage men who are at the bottom. The
simple teudcrly spoken words were such rs were
adautrd to raise the poor listener above himself;
to excite in him anb ton TO better his con lion;
to be somebody % drop his wees and put virtues
III their pac-; to stop despdnng and begin to
hope to cease quaIrcllng with one another, and to
cultivate kindness, forbearance and cAauty III
stead.
little wagon was brought up. with a tall conee-urn
and large hamper Of bread. Men from the crowd
were selected b. the speaker to fiji and
pass around cups of steamiug hot coffee
and slices Of the fresh light bread
There were twelve coffee cups and
sluccgs winch were filed and empted
agaln and again until the supply Of both
coffee and bread was exhausted 1t sight
worth seeing when the p0vcrty-plnched crowd drew
Up about the urn and wagon OF bread. Some of the
people ate yoIaclously, rs if they were almost
Starving; others up timldly "A If hail ashamed
to accept the charity; but all were encouraged by
the preacher ia blunt. homey way to 60 up and be
helped and make themselves at home, and the result
was that the people went forward freely an ac-
copied the bounty in the kindly spirit in which it
was offered
Il tell you this is the kind Of religion a man can
take stock IN sad man who had had his cup Of
coffee and bit OF bread There IS nothing of tie
priest IN tins who charges as for seat IN church
and pokcs us back in a dark corner where our rags
won't make the rich people hold their noses
and keep as far away from us as they cam There IS
10 collection taken up here and we amt told we'll
g to hell If we don't pay to be kept ont. This is
the religion want in minep Others spoke in the
same way, and 1t was plain that the earnest worker
held the affections Of the people. When the meet
ing all over The speaker announced that similar
meetings would be held at the place every sun
day afternoon, and that, moreover, on ThanksgY-
ing Dav a special dinner would be gwen IN one of
The saloons near by. to which everyone present and
every poor ragged. distressed or unworthy one
who would come would be welcome. He did not
know what there would be for dinner, but he hoped
there might be some chicken. and may be some tur-
kew and some other things that might be agreeable.
When the preacher moved away TO the Fulton
Ferry to 90 hoIne the crowd followed him affection
atcy. He spoke TO many Of the people, and shook
them by the hand. asking them how they sue
ceeding ut their work. how the wife and children
were now, showing warm interest in each poor
creatures affairs. To he gave money; to
others, advice. There were number Of requests
for assistance. Some Of them were answered. One
man askcd for few cents to buy something to eat.
" No, can't give any money-your breath
smells of whlskey-but Will buy you something to
eat" But the man seemed to forget his starving
condition. and SUNK away out OF sight in the
crowd.
The reporter asked the practical preacher if he
would explain his system of work, how it began, |
how long it had been going on, and how it was sup
ported. Certainty. Will be glad to tell you all |
about our idea Ny name is John w. Kennion. |
and have been engaged i'll this work for five years
In fact to-day is the fifth anniversary of the day
began this sort of thing started in, originally, by
assisting the Rev. DR.. Remington, of Brooklyn, in |
holding several meetings for the benefit of the
people. Soon, however, | began holding meet !
ings of my Own and added the idea of |
distributing food to the poor people came III con-
tact with. have held meetings in various parts of
the cty-for instance, at No Is Safest, at Castle |
Garden. Tompklns square, Jackson-square, at Water
and Doversts. there opposite tho Roosevelt ferry,
aud at other places in the city. shall stay. how
ever, where you saw to-day during the winter. |
have been assisted often by clergymer of various |
churches. mostly by Episcopal clergymon. l am |
member of the Episcopal Church myself"
And how are these meetings supported-vbo |