The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-09
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be paying for ton of coal? bought Q
basket the other day for immediate use
before the regular order was delivered tc
the Breakfast Mission Lodging House
on Canal street. The price charged and
paid was 30 cents. There was possibly &c
pounds to the basket. That figures &c
baskets to the ton or at the rate OF sl6
per 1000 pounds. Whew!
You can buy the same coal for IS ton.
Twenty cents a basket would be 100 per
cent. on the investment not counting the
slight cost of delivery.
III any poor persons who have TO buy their
coal by the basket want to save 10 cents
they may be accommodated by leaving
their order at the Sunday Breakfas Mis-
sion, PSI Canal street.
BY the way, 1t may be an item OF interest
10 readers OF this column to know some
thing about the sunday Breakfast Mission,
what it has accomplished, who are its
principal patrons and what IL is proposed
TO do the coming winter in the way
OF ameliorating the condition OF that
unfortunate class which is always kicked
and cuffed and told like Dickens "Little
Joe" TO move on, seldom, il ever, having a
kind word spoken to them or led to be-
|
for them except tdiscouragements and con-
ceDtrated hard luck.
! Experience has taught the writer that
feeding these unfortunates, these drunk
ards and sometimes worse specimens of
the genus homo the percentage OF real,
bona fide, sincere reformation is very
small, not over one TO three per cent.
fa In, do he, "a
keeps this especial class off the streets on
Sundays and diverts their thoughts for the
time being from the despicable and disso-
Lutte to something more elevating and en-
nobling.
Last year from Dec. 23 to May there
were 6128 persons fed. One thing ]
noticed. There were but seven colored
people, five women, twelve boys, and not
a single Hebrew. The rest were small
jority were OF Irish descent.
But nationality, creed or color
is not taken into consideration. The
question is To all every Sunday
morning: "Are you hungry? II so never
mind who you are but come TO the Sunday
Breakfast Mission, hear the organist play
Home, Sweet Home" "America,"
"Sweet BY and Bye" ETC., join in the re-
sponsive reading, listen to some horse
sense talk and IL thoroughly disgusted |
with living a life OF idleness and debauch- |
cry sign the pledge when the invitation is |
extended TO you and resolve to start life |
anew.
Isn't that practical Put something In
the hungry mans stomach and then give
him some good advice. Good advice on
the empty stomach does not count. Last
winter gl0 men signed the pledge vowing
they would not drink intoxicating
liquors varying in time from AZ hours to
forever. These men are now scattered oil
over the country and many are across the
sea. Some have held TO their resolution.
but the majority have doubtless fallen
again. God pity them.
An instance OF W hat the Breakfast Mis-
sion accomplished in one mans case Ia
referred to with great deal of pleasure
by the Superintendent. IL was a cold
bleak winters Sunday last February. A
man yet on the sunny side OF 40 came up
the stairs OF the mission. lie was ragged
and dirty; his face was swollen
from the effects OF alcoholic stimu-
lants; his eyes were blood-shot, and his
whole appearance was indicative of total
wreck OF manhood. AS he entered the
room the organist was playing "Home
Sweet Home" The man hesitsted before
taking his seat. The tears came to his
eyes and when the invitation was ex-
tended to come forward and sign the
pledge he was among the number. TODAY
this man, who was the son OF wealthy
parents in Ireland, who once owned his
own horses and hounds, Is a citizen OF
providence. lie had, after "A four
years spree ina London, spent his
substance IN riotous living and after a
years debauch In this country wound up
in this city. lie was undecided which
way to 60. He was on the verge OF n
suicides grave. Today you would hardly
recognize the same man. lie is in busi.
ness at the North End following his pro-
iession as doctor and I am pleased to
state meeting with deserved success.
That mans sobriety and reclamation
PAID the bill, was worth the paltry few
hundreds that were 80 cheerfuiH contri.
buted by the citizens OF Providence.
Among those contributors who made Il
possible for the Sunday Breakfast Mission
-.