Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-09-01
Iniidelity Versus Christianity.


Our city furnishes many examples of the
benefcence of religion. Forty years ago a
locality too well known as the +" Five Points 1"
with population of several thousands, was
the home of the vilest of the vile, and the
resort of others equally debased Men, wo-
men and children of all nationalities and
colors herded together, differing only in the
degrees of crime and the depths of profit
gacy habitually practiced. Their days were
passed in either idleness or depredations.
Their nights we're spent in dance house de
baucheries. All healthy or wholesome in
huences were excluded. Children grew up
to become either street beggars or inmates
of the amshouse and their parents filed
penitentiaries and prisons. These orgies
continued year after year, defiant and ag-
gressive, until that pandemonium was in
vaded by Christian men and women whose
patience would not tire, whose courage was
indomitable and whose devotion has been
rewarded by moral and religious reforma-
ton so complete that no part of our city is
now more quiet and orderly than the once
dreaded Z" Five Points" Thousands of chill.
dren then growing up either vagabonds OF
culprits are now attending schools, in which
they are stimulated by precept and example
to live industrious and virtuous lives. In.
stead, therefore, of sending forth idle, igno
rant and vicious children to prey upon so
ciety, the destitute and orphan children OF
the Five Points," prepared for usefulness
by moral and religious training, find happy
homes in our rapidly developing western
states and territories. Again, eight years
ago Water street and its surroundings east
I ward from Peck slip had notoriety almost
as unenviable as that of the Five Points.
That region was rife with drunkenness
burglaries, pugiism and their kindred vices
Jerry McAuley was conspicuous in all that
was wicked and demoralizing. lie had the
reputation of being terror to the precinct
a reputation which, by his own confession
was deserved. But this disturber of the
public peace was converted, and then he re
solved to devote the remainder of his life tc
the service of his master, and, with faith
| full, affectionate wife as helper, he ha.
| abundantly atoned for all his offences Fol
long time the Kisses and howlings of hi,
former associates seriously disturbed hi.
meetings, but courage, perseverance and pa
thence finally prevailed, and his work nov
progresses without interruption. The gen
eral character of the neighborhood has beer
| improved; its social and moral tone and at
mosphere have been purified. Sailors board
| ing houses have been reformed. Sailor
now carry their Bibles with them to sea
Moody and Sankey hymns are sung in fore
castles. Hundreds of half naked and hungr,
wives and children, by the conversion o
drunken husbands and fathers, now reioic
in comfortable aud happy homes. The mis-
sion church is crowded every week day ant
evening and three times on Sunday with in
telligent Christian men and women who
rescued from garret and cutters, are nov
reputable citizens, enjoying the fruits o
their industry and relating with grateful
hearts the miseries of their past, the joys o
their present and the hopes Of their future
BY all "who went to scotf, but remained b
| pray" Jerry McAuley and his exemplar
wife are regarded with affection and will b
remembered with gratitude Let us cor
trast the labors of two prominent contempo
rary teachers-one, Mr.. Moody, Christian
and the other, Mr. Ingersoll, an infidel mi,
sionary. Mr.. Moody is self made and sci
educated. Mr. 1ngersoll is gentleman o
education, culture and refinement. Ths
Mr.. Moody's labors have been in the hghes
degree beneficial to all classes will not
denied. The highest and the humblest lii
tened with charmed interest and all left tn
Tabernacle better and happier. The gel
eral effect both of his preaching, suppl,
mented by the never-to be-forgotten voice c
Mr.. Sankey cleared, braced and purified tn
religious, moral and social atmosphere c
the city. The labors of Moody and Sanke
were practical. They not only asked "Whs
shall the harvest be-" but they obtained
their inquiry rooms gratifying responses
their questions. Hundreds of drunkart
were reclaimed, gamblers and prize fighter
were converted. Destitute wives and chi
dren and desolate homes have been mac
happy and bright by the rescue and retur
of reformed husbands and fathers Lon
and gratefully will the advent of Moody All
Sankey be remembered. The city is sti
fragrant with Tabernacle memories M
Moody is turning the results of his labo
to good account. The Moody and Sankt
hymns well known to the Christian worl
are now sung by native converts in the i
terror of Africa. The sale of these hym
books produces handsome fund.- which nj
Moody devotes to missionary purposes. 4
his home in Northfield, Massachusetts,,
has erected suitable building for missiC
school and home for Indian girls, some fif
of whom from the far west have alreaC
been received. Mr.. Moody, therefore, h
taken up and will carry on the good work
auspiciously commenced by the late Faith
De Smet. And now | invite Mr.. Ingerso
or any of his followers to inform the publ
how and to what extent they have profit
by his missionary labors in this city, VIII
salutary reforms he has inaugurated or ev,
suggested, or in what manner and to VIII
extent he has contributed TO the geneI
welfare or happiness of his fellow-citlzeI