The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-12-15
HOW SOULS ARE SAVED.
Interesting Experiences Related by
Christian Workers.
Great Interest Shown in the Exercises Yes
terday-The Programme for Today and

terday-The Programme for Today and
Sunday.
The District Convention of Christian
Workers opened the morning session yes
terday with prayers and testimonies,
Rev. II. P. Beach, of Springeld leading.
Folio wing the devotional exercises
came MIR. George Graft the Cough OF this
convention, who told OF the MISSION
work in the slums of New York city.
done partially through the Mission Square
Church House, of which he is superin-
tendent, All of the missions and mission
work which he spoke of is under the
immediate charge and supervision of
Rev. DR.. Charles b. Parkhurst, who has
made himself world renowned by his ex-
posture of the debauchery OF New York
city, and who proved the rock on which
Tammauy split.
In part Mr.. Graft said: "You cannot
expect to hear from me sermon on the
Columbian exposition, or on kindred
subjects. but I can preach of Jesus
Christ and the work that is being done
III tuc SluAS' Ill Il rs uASh JOh
speak at random of missions great
many think that the missions are only
for the degraded woman and the drunk
ard, and that it is no place for respecta-
BILE people. IT it 10 not SO: the missions
have served to save the fallea million
aire, aud to place him on-a level with
the reformed drunkard in Gods king.
DOM When DIR. Parkhurst founded his
missions he intended them to bring his
church into closer communion with the
people, and that they should elevate the
church as we'll as the fallen.
II have seen all kinds and classes of
people of all races and colors, and
people Of all the different levels of sin,
and / have seen these people elevated
by the grace of God, and placed on a
firm foundation. / have seen what you
would term "hard cases. and so they
were very hard cases indeed, and have
seen a ,wonderous change take place in
these;men, thanks to the Holy Spirit.
"For one half hour after we open our
services we sing songs that are bright
and attractive, such songs as will catch
the passer's ear and will bring him in
side. One evening We were singing the
old song Where is Ny Wandering Boy
Tonight" A young man was passing,
the song recalled mothers knee, and
drawn by strange impulse he entered
and was brought to Jesus. 1t had been
years since he had seen his old mother
way up in the hills of New Hampshire,
and he determined to strike out and see
if she were still alive. He arrived at the
cottage one evening all in rags, W. I'm out
with dissipation but with a new heart.
1t was..a minute before his mother recog-
nized him. but mothers love is keen of
sight. and he received a mothers well
come. He was taken to the room that he
had occupied when boy, and he found
everything as he had left it in the days
of old. He asked his mother show this
was, and she told him that it was kept
ready for him. And SO it is with Jesus.
He has place ready and waiting for
all the drunkards and millionaires, if
they will only return and accept Of it.
This descriptive story moves an audi.
ence in favor of slum missions as per-
haps no other could, for what mother
cannot feel:for the wandering boys?"
Mr.. Graft told in graphic manner the
story of his mission, bringing million
aire to kneel between beggar in rags and
a fair haired child. while all three
offered up to Him on high the prayer
"God be merciful to me sinner"
One @of the toughest cases that I ever
saw come into a mission was fellow
who was so drunk and filthy that it was
necessary to cut off his boots as they
would come off in no other way. That
man is today the superintendent of a
great mission, and is doing the work of
the Master. Another case was poor
fellow who was taken in drunk, and
who certainly gave promise of not great
things, but he proved to be Greek pro-
lessor and former professor of art in
Europe. and man speaking seven differ
ent languages. Today he occupies good
position, is working for God and is saved
through the slum missions oil. New York.
There is in DR.. Parkhurst's church a
visiting committee composed of SO ladies
who have under Their, charge Ga families.
They give wher it is needed, direct as
sistance, but theirs is more helpful
Christianity. for they help the poor
wives and mothers perhaps by taking
care of and interesting the children, per-
haps by other means. You would be sur
prised at the the result of this work.
I'VE have an employment bureau, and
through it We have secured employ ment
for from three to four thousand persons.
We have also what we call a stand
Fast Circle" 1T is run something on
Colonel Hadley's win-one-p1an. Each
person chooses some one whom he will
labor with for a year, and no matter
how many time he or she slips and falls
back he bears with them and usually
succeeds in bringing them into the work
and they in turn go out aud bring in one
more. A large number have been
brought in in this way.
ave also have tenement house mis-
No kxro nj