The Washington times., 1894-11-26
CONGREGATION OF TRAMPS
Odd Place of Worship Established
Here for FoOtsore kayfarerS.
BUT GODS SPIRIT WAS THERE
Men of Many Nationalities and Representing
Every Phase of the Other Half'' Join in
Holy Song and Prayer-supt THOMPSON
and Others Tell Their Sad ExperienceA

were ringing out their call to the faithful to
attend the noontide service yesterday, and
throngs of fashionably and comfortably clad
parishioners were scurrying along in the
chilling nor wester to reach their handsome
ediaces of worship, another picture on the
other side OF life was being presented around
on Louisiana avenue
Groups of unkempt and lily clad men stood
shivering in the cool atmosphere in front of a
small hall on the first floor of the Mission
building. They were waiting to gain ad-
mittance into the ''Tramp's Church." as that
roomy apartment has been christened by the
hungry wayfarers who attend religious
services there every Sabbath forenoon.
These tramp services were inaugurated yes
terday and will be continued during the win
ter by the energetic workers of the Central
Union Mission, who believe the soul of a
''hobo" is just as acceptable at the Throne of
Grace as that of a millionaire.
Finally the front door of the hall was opened
and the men filed in respectfully and solemnly,
with uncovered heads. Then the small band
of Christian workers, headed by Supt. An
| drew Thompson, struck up that refreshing
Gospel song:
''oh, why do you wait, dear brother,
Why do you tarry SO long?
As the strains OF sacred music filed the
| hall and floated out into the wintry atmos-
phere the expressions OF deep despair which
had cleaned from the eyes of the poor out
casts from society were softened into rays OF
| hope.
Some of the bleared eyes in that motley
congregation no doubt looked back upon the
happy, romping days OF childhood, and in
memory they saw the fond old mother of long
ago kneeling at the bedside Offering up a
fervent prayer in the lengthening shadows of
eventide for her boy, who is now drifting
aimlessly along in the undercurrent OF life
toward the awful chasm of eternity.
At the conclusion of the melody. which had
no other accompaniment save the weird music
OF the winds as they whistled through caves
and cornices, an old gentleman with silvered
hair prayed. He asked the good Lord while
distributing His blessings broadcast among
the many imposing houses of worship on that
bright MONDAY hour TO pause long enough to
bless the little assemblage OF tattered and
| hungry wayfarers who were assembled in that
dimly lighted hall in His name.
''Be with the boys" he said, ''save them
from their sins, rehabilitate them with their
former manhood, and again place them on
the plane OF respectabilIty."
This prayer called forth hearty "amen"
from tall, hardy-looking fellow on the front
row of seats. who was attired in a cowboys
suit and held in his hand a broad-brimmed,
leather-bound sombrero.
I'm a Western rustler in hard luck" he
said, to a grImy-looking railroader Eext to
him, land 1t does me heart good TO hear an
old pard like that rattle of such good one
as that"
Mr.. Andrew Thompson then addressed the
meeting. He told 1.-The bows" as he always
addresses the unfortunate fellows who COM
prised the congregation, that when he ''struck
Washington three years ago he was a miser-
niNI 4
head or mouthful to eat. Mr.. Thompson,
who is Norwegian, added:
Il was stranger-a foreigner in a foreign
land-without home. friends, or money.
could only speak a little broken English and
was in the very depths of despair. While
passing the Mission building one night in a
half drunken condition | was attracted by
the sweet Gospel songs and entered the meet
ing. In my pockets was my old friend as I
had been wont 10 call it. bottle OF whisky,
and my mind was filed with gloom and
doubt. / made change right there. God
entered into my heart and has kept me- out
Of prison and among respectable people for
three years.
Boys. do as 1 did" pleaded Mr.. Thomp-
son. Drop the prefxes 'Slumpy Mike
HustlIng Harry, etc. from your names and
become brothers III Christian work. Then
men will call you Mister and you will be re-
spected by your fellows and loved by God.
There are men of talent and education in this
audience wearing the tatterS of a tramp.
Strong drink and sin have brought them
down God has the power to help you out OF
the workhouse and Jail. He can and will
take away that awful appetite fo- strong
drink if you only ask Him. In heart many of
you boys are decent, but the victims of cir
cumstances The Saviour can relieve you of
| all your worldly embarrassments. The life
OF tramp is hard one. Don't follow it any
| longer. Seek Gods fellowship and become
upright citizens. then will you find happiness
such as you nave never known before
Then roughly dressed and heavily bearded
man led in singing: Jesus is rock i'll
weary land, shelter in the time of storm,
and the very winds that had been bowling
dismay outside seemed to melt into a
dreamy chorus.
Supt Thompson then asked if there were
any present who desired to forsake the evil
and shiftless lives they had been leading,
and, if so, to raise their hands IN assent.
-Four grimy, hardened hands went up and
four disheveled heads bowed in prayer.
Mr.. Mosedale led in pathetic prayer and
implored God to have mercy on these poor
tramps and outcasts. some of whom are far
away from homes and friends" He urged
his bearers to stop drinking whisky and seek
forgiveness at the fooistool.'
Another young man informed his hearers
that Jesus Christ can save a man. no matter
how far down he is. "Christ died for the
tramp as well as for the man of might and
wealth"
A well-dressed and intelligent appearing
man in middle life said he came to Washing
ton in rags and a miserable drunken wreck
six weeks ago. He was ''hobo'' then, and
had lost the respect of friends as we'll as all
self-respect from the habit of drinking rum.
But GOD had gloriously and wonderfully
saved him. clad him in the habiliments of
decency, put money in his pockets, and made
him a man among men. He said he had
promised his sister at her death bed to stop
drinking whisky, but found himself drunk
on the day of her funeral. He started out as
Young man with the fatal wine cup in his
hand to make q mark in the world and no
did-right down in the gutter. He used to
study the Bible only to scoff at it, but God in
His mercy and love had finally reclaimed
him.
respectable looking young man, who had
sold his oyercoat for drinks on SATURDAY.,
arose and said he had an awful craving for
strong drink; he did not know whether it
was an in heritance or not. He asked for
prayer that he might be saved from the appe-
tite, and with three others went to the plat
rorm and knelt in supplication. Fervent
prayers were then offered for the quartet of
penitents, and the odd church with its odd
members was dismissed.
Many nationalities were represented in the
assembage. TIMES reporter spoke with
Swede, Norwegian, Swiss, German, several
Scotchmen Irishmen. English, and queer
little Frenchman. A similar service will be
held at II o'clock next Sunday forenoon.
Shirtmakers' Strike Over
New YORK, Nov. 25.-The strike of the
shirtmakers is practically over. The accept
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