New-York tribune., 1885-03-30
DOING MISSION YORK At OYER EIGHTY.
THE REV. JOSIAH WEST SPENDS HIS LIFE AMONG
THE POOR.

THE REV. JOSIAH WEST SPENDS his LIVE AMONG
THE POOR.
No face Is better known among the poor
people of South Brooklyn than Of the Rev. Josiah
West His kindly voice and bent figure familiar to
all the occupants OF tenementhouses More than forty
years ago first among them, an active energetic
worker, and made many strong friends. lie was
one OF the first city missionaries in Brooklyn. lie
opened a mission chapel in Buter-st which was soon
Aourishlng, but when large Presbyterian church
offered to charge of no TenQulshed and started
in "a and more difficult field.
mass OF huts and shantieS nIled with poor nbOrlng
people aud some roughs oucasts ana heathen OI the
worst sort Brooklyn had less than hundred thousand
OF It. There no building in the whole district IN
grog shops were too small. Mr.. West decided to
put up o tent ana soon innaehced
ment resented his coming among them Crowds OF
drunken and boys would gather about the tent eer
more furious when they that instead OF their driving
hlm away his strength increasing, they toro down
This would have been enough to discourage many mon
and the thought they had rooted out tho minister
the attack brought out the support OF the poor work
Ing men for the preacher. They SAID that he stood up
bravely and they were going to see fair play. IL he
would get another tent they would protect mn anu
answer Tor It that It should not be again burned Other
fupport then from the Rev. DIR. Welde, leading
Baptist minister OF Brooklyn, Who was friend OF Mr.:
West and had he ped him III his work Arson Blake ana
his wife eFa other persons gave and ana little
frame structure called the Columbia Street Mission, was
built Mr. West Its pastor and had general charge OI
the work than thirty years He never received
any salary but the mission sustained by Mr.. Blake,
DR. Wede and other friends. His wifo assisted linn, and
for many years two daughters laDorei with him.
few years ago misfOrtunes began 70 fail on the mis-.
sonary Both hs daughters died. and his wife went out
one morning 10 decorate their graves with howers she
was caught In a heavy thunder Storm became fright
ened tainted and was brought home dead. Mr. West
gave up tho mission which was becoming too mueh Tor
his increasing years Bat he still continues to do mission
work In the summer OF the ConeY Island railroads
gyes him the and he organizes little parties
of the poor aud children for free excursions To
the beach the winter he receives packages OF shoes
old cothes and loads OF coal 10 distribute among the
uOor His interest and enthusiasm In his work arc as
great as they forty years ago. and his health Is
good for q man eighty. He has never been able TO
save anything for his last days DIR. Walsh, Mr. Blake
and his wife and other old friends dead and new
people and new city have grown up
aroind him He receives support rom
members OF his old mission flock, but
this is slender and uncertain and Is becoming more
"I am getting to DO a pretty Old man." he said the
other day In q trembling voice. "but don't like To
think that shall have to the poorhOuse. have
at werk 10 last among these poor people whom have
seen grow up around me. l don't know what should
do n / had to stop ARd can't beg"
Mr West was born IN England, but came TO this
country while still young and studied at Brown Urver-
sty where he graduRded Some persons In this city
and Brsoklyn have spoken ~ obtaining aid sufficient TO
care for in his last years but as yes little has been
done