The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-03-18
L BETHEL SHIP.
FREE TO ALL.
COME IN.
WELCOME.

I stepped upon one of the foot
bridges swung ON either side of the
house, and sought entrance to the
cabin, as / found / was just in time for
Sunday school. Only a few scholars
had as yet gathered and | had ample
opportunity to inspect the interior OF
the quaint church edifice.
The architectural design resembles
pretty much that of a large cabin
saloon transformed into a modern
chapel. The rostrum is sufIaounted
by aneat white and gilt pulpit, with g
cushioned top. Around the desk is a
rallied chancel, within which are on
spic uously displayed the Sunday
school banner.
The seats are of stained oak and the
seating capacity is nearly 800. The
room is well lighted by windows and
lamps suspended from the ceiling, and
a number around the sides furnish
abundant light for evening services.
Down below is the lecture room,
with a bench constructed around the
sides. A large heating furnace, re-
Gently put in, occupies the centre.
Passing through this, my guide, Mr..
Frank Woodall, the janitor, led me
through a store-room into q rudely-fur-
nished apartment where his comely
wife was washing the dinner dishes
and trying to amuse several young
steers, who were impatient for Sunday
school to begin. Mr.. Woodall showed
me the appurtenances of his dining
room with all the pride of a Russian
prince singing the praise of a magnifi-
Gently appointed banquet hall. And,
with the curses and rawlings of a mid
night reveller, incarcerated for beating
his wife and family, in a cell at the
Second precinct stationhouse, still
tinging in my ears, | could not help
scoring another point in favor of relig-
ious influence on society.
In a chat with several gentlemen /
learned that the old hulk had an inter
esting history, but could not get at
the facts systematically. The ship
was built more than forty years ago to
sail around Cape Horn, but was
found to possess too fiat a bottom.
She was originally named Carrier
Pigeon but afterward rechristened
John Wesley Old Father Hedg-
strom purchased her. and for many
wears carried on successful reyivals
among the sailors on the New York
side, at the foot of Laight street.
Scandinayians got control and moved
the bethel around to the foot of Har-
rison street, in Brooklyn.
Eleven years ago the Bradford
Christian Association purchased the
vessel and refitted her for general mis-
sion work, and put her where she is
now.
Several different denominations sup
ply the pulpit, there being 10 regular
pastor. Mr.. w. b. Wright, who has
been closely identified with the move
ment from the start, superintends the
Sunday school. There were some
twenty OF thirty scholars present yes
terday, with a dozen or more visitors.
Contrary to my expectations, the chill
dren were unusually tidy and intelli-
gent. A service was held at three
O'clock, led by Corresponding Secre-
tary Ware, Of the Bradford Associa-
ton.
/ was informed that the bulk of the
mission membership was composed Of
sailors, who are at present scattered all
over the globe. When q number of
these get together at one OF the old
hull meetings, nothing short Of hurri-
cane can drown their "Amensl" and
"Hallelujahsm
The mission is greatly helped by
people who are willing to do without
the cushioned pews of there more sub
stantial church buildings on land, and
walk down through the horrible streets
to the bethel to lead the singing, play
the organ Accomplishments and put
their contributions in the box. There
are several ladies who rarely miss a
service, and the sailors who know
them keep their sweet faces treasured
in their hearts all around the world,
wherever they go, looking forward
with anticipation OF great pleasure and
comfort to the day when they shall
again have an opportunity to attend a
religious service at the Bethel mis-
sion in Jersey City.