The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-30
ssssss TIT III -
. order of the 4.
. Holy Cross &:
A.: Clergy House. a:

Opening the door and entering the I'M
carDeted hall, the visitor is ushered into Il
small. scantily-furnished room. In one
corner is plain board bookcase, upon the
shelves Of which lie n large number OF the
illogical works. The floor is bare, and the
only furniture to be seen consists OF a
small deal-table and few rough chairs.
The upper floors OF the house are devoted
to sleeping-roOms. and the basement con-
tains a kitchen and dining-roOm.
The order OF The Holy Cross was eStab-
lisbed three years ago under the auspices
Of the St. John Baptist Foundation, Pro-
testant Episcopal body. Its members are
ordained rs priests and take the vows OF
celibacy and self-denial. They promise to
devote their lives TO the spiritual elevation
of the poorer classes. The priests are col
lege-educated men who enter the mission
for the sole purpose OF doing good. They
are supported by voluntary contributions
made by those to whom they minister.
The luxuries OF life are forbidden. Sim.
plicty in dress and speech is sought, and
no effort il made TO attract attention.
The labors OF these men have been thus far
confined TO the German quarters OF the city
which lies on the east side between Divi-
sion and Sixteenth streets, and extends
from First avenue to the East river. Tene-
ment houses line the streets on either side
and swarm with people. Not room IN
these great bee hives Of population is empty
Ten and fifteen families are often crowded
| into buildings which should not, for SAM
tary reasons. be allowed to hold half that
number. The tenements are small, poorly
lighted and badly ventilated. The stair
ways and halls are dirty from the
continual presence OF swarms OF children
who 90 trooping in and out all day
long. From the sinks and drains
foul gases escape and polute the air, often
breeding disease and pestilence. The
streets are filthy. Along the edge OF the
| sidewalks dark pools OF shiny substance
often lie stagnating in the sun. The street
cleaning carts do not make daily trips in
| this quarter. Boxes and barrels filled with
garbage stand on the Tagging for days
without being emptied Slatternly women
and rough-looking men sit i'm the door
ways OF the houses or lounge about the
streets. The people are Germans OF the
poorer classes. The majority Of them
have been in this country only few year.
and have hard struggle to make living
1t is among people OF this character thai
the priests OF the Holy Cross labor. They
address them in their own language. Al
first the priests met with great opposition
| The Germans did not want to attend the
meetings they held, or listen to the preach
ing. But as time went by their hearts
softened when they saw how devoted the
priests were to their interests. A chape
was opened in central locality, and
the people were invited to attend. The
crowds which visited the church on Sunday
made extra services necessary. The chapel
has become too small for the number OF
people who wish to attend the services on
Sunday. 1t Is now hoped that new
| church will be erected soon to meet the
wants Of the people. The priests, besides
holding services IN the chapel, 20 about
from house TO house talking with the peo-
pie and giving them good advice.