The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-03-11

SBOULll NOR Bg CLOSED.

The Great Work That Has Been Done.
TO he Editor Of he Entc1igeneT.
sIR:-shall Evangelistic hall be closed Z
This is question in which many are
concerned, but it is a question which
can be answered by the good people Of
Wheeling only. But one thing is now
lacking, and that is, guarantee sutfic'
lent to meet the expenses Of the year to
come.
For the last eighteen months, begin.
ming with the six months OF Ben Hogan,
when he and Mr.. Sawyer were together,
there has been no given amount posi-
lively pledged, hut the entire depend.
ence has been upon voluntary contribu-
tions OF friends OF the work. In some
instances these have been very gener'
Gus. But thus far the work has been an
experiment, for the purpose ofprov1ngits
importance.
Support Of this kind, however, is 80
uncertain, and 1t requires 30 much time
to secure 1t that it is not deemed advisa-
BILE 10 continue the work unless sutfic.
lent pledges can be secured beforehand,
aud this must be decided within few
Gays.
There can be no question in regard to
the importance Of the work. Mr.. Saw.
yer is quite sure that he can designate
not less than 100 men who have turned
towards better life. Many Of these
were very low down-almost beyond the
hope OF friends-not earning anything,
or spending all they did earn for drink.
In some instances they were terror to
their families, while their wives and
children were in poverty and suffering.
In other instances families had been
broken up and scattered, where now
the husband and father has returned
and plenty and happiness has taken the
place Of uestitntion and suffering. Men
who had lost good positions have re-
gained them and have become producers
instead OF spendthrifts and providers
instead Of being vagabonde. On looking
into these homes 1t will be seen at a
glance that no language can picture the
Transformation.
In still other instances, men who for
years have been burden and expense
10 society, often. in our work-house and
jail, are now earning an honest living.
Quite number from these different
classes, have, with their families, already
united with Christian churches.
But the work Ia only fairly begun. To
stop now will be to leave many at a
point where they are not able to go
forward alone; while to go on for
another year means, with Gods con.
tinued bleasing, that hundreds who are
Just being touched, and other hundreds
who as yet have not been reached, will
be persuaded to abandon their habits Of
intemperance, so that they will become
thoroughly established in ali that goes
10 constitute good, law.abiding citizens,
and will become members OF the differ
ent churches. Moreover, II this work
can be pushed now, 1t will save the city
large sums OF money, by transferring
numbers Of men from that class who are
an expense TO the community, to the
class who help bear the burdens.
IT. not necessary for mo TO say that
the city is very fortunate in being able
to commsnd the labors OF one who has
the experience and skill Of Mr.. Sawyer.
Other places are anxious to get him, are
ready to pledge the money and are
awaiting his answer. write this with
out his knowledge OF 1t. Three OF our
citizens pledge the rent OF the building
for year Il others will pledge what Il
necessary for the other expensee. This
would require about 81 900, which seemt
like small sum for Buch work.
know man in city not far away
where similar work was started come
Eve years since, not wealthy man, anC
a man who has been recently converted
and brought into the church, who gives
81, 600 year towards the support Of thu
work. It should be remembered tina
the men who are reached at this miesion
almost without exception, are men VIII
never 90 into our churches, and Wit
will never be reached by any ordinar!
church work, nor by the Young Mem
Christian Association even, much as tina
good organization is doing.
This then is the situation: One hun
dred and thirty licensed saloons, NOR
or lees, are open, some Of them seyel
| DAYS in a week added 70 theae gre tn
numerous places'of gambling, and u
large number Of houses otintame, all
which stand along the path Of thes
men TO, lure them towards Disgrace an
sorrow; while In all the city there
but one door open, where they will b
inclined to enter, where the inhuene
will be such as will lead them To-
nobler life, and where will be throw
around them influences for their protet
ton and security. Shall this one doc
be closed for the lack OF ,N0P
CHAs. W. GUSHING.
Wheeling, ", Va, March TO-