Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-03-11
Shall EyaugelI.tie aaII be Clo.ede


10 'hs E'ifor or fte Rsgtsfci:
SIR: This is aquestion ia which many
are concerned, but tits q question which
can be answered by the good people OF
Wheeling, only. But one thing Is now
lacking, and that is. guarantee Suf-
hcicnt TO meet the expenses OF the year
20 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 POSITIVE
ely pledged, but the entire dependence
has been upon voluntary contributions OF
friends of the work. In some instances
these have been very generous But
thus far the work has been an expert
ment, for the purpose Of proving its
importance.
support Of this kind, however is so
uncertain and il requires so much time
10 secure IL, that il is not deemed ad
visable 10 continue the work unless SUI
ticient pledges can be secured before
hand, and this must be decided within
Few days.
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 one hundred men who
have been 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 10 their families, while
their wives and children were in poverty
and suffering. In other instances fam
lies had been broken up and scattered,
where now the husband and father has
returned and plenty and happiness have
taken the place of restitution and Suf-
fering. Men who had lost good posi-
tionS have regained them and have be-
come producers instead OF being spend
thriftS, aud providers instead of being
yagabondS. On looking into these
homes il will be seen at a glance that
no language can picture the tranSforma-
ton.
In still other Instances, men who for
years have been Il burden and expense
10 society, often in our workhouse and
gaol, are now earning an honest living.
Quite number Of theSedtTerent classes
have, with their families, already united
with Christian churches.
But the work is only fairly begun. To
stop now will be TO leave many at point
where they are not able to go forward
alone; while 10 go on for another year.
means, with Gods continued blessing,
that hundreds who are Just being touch
/ ed, and other hundreds who as yet have
not been reached, will be persuaded TO
abandon their habits of intempcrance,
So that they will become thoroughly
established in all that goes to conSti-
tute good. law-abiding citizens, aud will
become members Of the different
churches Moreover. il this work can
be pushed now. il will save the city
/ large sums OF money, by transferring
numbers of men from that class who are
an expense 10 the community TO the
class who help bear the burdens.
10 is not necessary for me TO say that
the city is very fortunate in being able
% command the laborS Of one who hos
/ 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 know edge ot il.
Three Of our citizens pledge the rent
! OF the building for the year if others
| will pledge what is necessary for the
other expenses. This would require
about $1,000, which seems like small
snm for such work.
know a man In city not far away,
where a similar work was started some
five years since, not a wealthy man, and
a man who has been recently converted
and brought into the church, who gives
y 600 a year towards tho support Of the
work
II should be remembered that the men
who are reached AT this Mission. almost
without exception. are men who never
90 into our churches and who will never
be reached by any ordinary church
work. nor by the Young Mems Christian
Association. even, much as that good
organization is doing.
This 10 then the situation: One hun
dred and thirty saloons. more or less.
are open, most OF them seven days IN a
week; added TO these are the numerous
places for gambling, and the large mum.
her Of houses Of nfamy, all of which
stand along the path OF these men TO
lure them towards disgrace and sorrow;
while i'm all the city there is but one
door open where they will be inclined
20 enter. where the influence will be
such a. will lead them to a nobler life,
aud where will be thrown around them
Influences FOR their protection and Sc
curity. Shall this one door be closed
for lack OF 1000.
CHaS. w. CUSHING.
WhcClinQ. ~. Ia. March IT,