Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-08-20
Thurl.Y Wesi On Col. Bob. in:s1so.l.

WHAT RELIGION HAS DONE FOR NEW YORK.
Our city furnishes many examples OF the
bencticcnce of religion. Forty yeaIs ago a
locality too well known as the Five Points"
with population of several thousands, was
the home of the vilest of the vile, and the re-
sort of others equally debased. Men, wo-
men and children of all nationalities and col
ors herded together, differing only in the
degrees of crime aud the depths of proiiigacy
habtually practiced. Their days were pass
ed in either idleness or depredations. Their
nights were spent in dance house debauch-
cries. All healthy or wholesome influences
wore excluded. Children grew up to be-
come either street beggars or inmates of the
almshouse and their parents filled peniten-
tiaries and prisons. These orgies continued
year after year, defiant AMI aggressive, until
that pandemonium was invaded by Chris
tian men and women whose patience would
no. tire whose courage was indomitable and
whose devotion has been rewarded by NOR
al and religious reformation so complete that
no part Of our city is now more quiet and
orderly than the once dreaded Five Points. "
Thousands of children then growing up
either vagabonds or culprits are now attend
ing schools, in which they are stimulated by
precept and example TO live industrious and
Nl.luOuS HNcS- titltlOlt, VI scuu'
ing forth idle, ignorant and vicious children
to prey upon society," the destitute and or
phan children Cf the Five Points" pre-
pared for usefulness by moral and religious
trimming, find happy homes in our rapidly
developing Western States and territories.
Again, eight years ago Water street and its
surroundings eastward from Peck slip had
Il notoriety almost AS unenviable as that of
the Five Points" That region was rife
with drunkenness. burglaries, pugilism and
their kindred vices. Jerry McAuley was
conspicuous in all that was wicked ard
demoralizing lie had the reputation OF
being II terror to the precinct, reputation
which, by his own confession, was deserved.
But this diSturber of the public peace was
converted, and then he resolved to devote
the remainder of his life 10 the service of his
Master, and, with IL faithful, atfcciionatg
wife as II helper, he has ''ahundantly atoned
for all his offences. For u long time the
Kisses and howlingS oi his former associates
seriously disturbed his meetings. but courage,
perseverance and patience finally prevailed,
and his work now progresses without inter
ruption The general character of the neigh
borhood has been improved; its social and
moral tone and atmosphere have been puri-
fled. Sailors boarding houses have been re-
formed. Sailors now carry their Bibles with
them to sea. Moody and Sankey hymns are
sung in forecaslles Hundreds of half naked
and hungry wives and children. by the con-
version of drunken husbands and fathers,
now rejoice in comfortable and happy homes.
The Mission Church is crowded every
week day and evenin, AMI three times on
Sunday with intelligent Christian men and
women who, rescued from eirrPt and gut
l..
the fruits of their industry and relating with
grateful hearts the miserirs of their past, the
Joys Of their present and the hopes OF their
future. BY all ''who went TO scoff, but
remained TO pray" Jerry McAuley and his
exemplary wife are regarded with affection
and will he remembered with gratitude.
Let us contrast the labors of two promi-
nent contemporary teachers one. Mr..
Moody, Christian, and the other, Mr.. In
gcrsoll, an intdel missionary. Mr.. Moody
is seli-malic and self educated. Mr.. Inger-
soil is gentleman of education, culture and
refinement That Mr. Moody's slabors have been
in the highest degree beneficial to all classes
will not be denied The highest and the
humblcst listened with charmed interest,
and all left the Tabernacle better and hap
pier The general effect both of his preach
ing, supplemented by the never to- be-for-
gotten voice of Mr.. Sankey, cleared, hracei,
and purified the re igious, moral and social
atmosphere of the city. The labors of
Moody and Sankey were practical. They
no, only asked What shall the harvest he,
but they obtained in their inquiry rooms
gratifying responses TO their questions.
Hundreds of drunkards were reclaim
ed, gamblers md prize fighters were
converted. Destitute wives and children
and dcsolate homes have been made happy
and bright by the rescue and return of re-
formed husbands and fathers. Long and
gratefully will the advent of Moody and
Sankey be remembered. The city is still
fragrant with Tabernacle memories. Nj.
Moody is turning the results of his labors TO
good account The Moody and Sankey
hymns, well-known 10 the Christian world,
are now sung by native converts in the i'll
terror Of Africa The sale of these hymn
hooks produces handsome fund, which Mr..
Moody dcvotcs To missionary purposes. AT
his homc in Northiield, Mass, he has erect
cd "a suitable building for II mission school
and home for Indian girls some fifty of
whom from the far West have already been
received MIR Moody, therefore, has taken
up and will carry on the good work so au-
spiciously commenced 10y the late Father
De Smet. And now invite Mr.. Ingersoll,
or any of his followers To inform the public
hos. and To what extent they have profited
hy his missionary labors in this city, what
salutary reforms he has inanguraied or even
suggested. or in what manner and to what
extent he has contributed TO the general wei
fare or happiness Of his fellow -cilizens.
T.W.