Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-25
THE HUMAN SWARM.
BISHOP POTTER AMONG NEW YoRRs
 TEEMINe EAST SIDE SUMS.

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 Tired Out Rector sweitering There
 When Even the Bowery Is Comfortable.
 Whom tho Rev. F. R. Batoman, rector of the Cathedral mission at 130 Stanton street, far over on tho cast side, was preach ing his regular Thursday sermon ono cven- ing several weeks ago, there entered and seated himself on one of tho benches in the rear of the dimly lighted, unpapercd, baro walled littlo room man erect in figure and kindly in countenance. The congrega- tion of neatly but chcaply clothed men and women glanced curiously at tho unknown visitor, but MT. Bateman was too en- grossed in expounding the gospel to notice him.
 It was Tot until the service was near an end that tho preacher observed the late conner, who was leaning forward in an at titudc of profound attention. Then his face flushed with pride as he recognized the figure of Bishop Potter. Tho distin- guishod head of the New York diocese smiled quietly at the roctor's surprise, mado his way to the platform and spoke a few words of congratulation and oncour- agemcnt to tho congregation and shook all their hands as they left the mission at the close of his remarks.
 tI have come to ask you about your plans for a vacat ion, /" then the bishop con flded to Mir Bateman. "When do you ex- pect to start away for season of rest from your arduous labors in the missiong'
 Mir. Bateman confessed that he could sec little chance of his leaving the east side even for a brief period, as thore was con- stant need for the presence of minister in the mission, and no substitute had offered to accept tho position.
 Prepare to leave on July 10, was the bishops quick response. II will relieve you for month, taking up my residence here and performing all the duties which devolve upon the rector. There, do not remonstrate, D as the hard worked clergy man shook his head in emphatic refusal of the unexpected announcement; my mind is fully made up. The experience is my earnest desire. It may be a good example to tho clergy of the diocese, and l shall ex- ert every effort to make it fruitful of good to the neighborhood.
 No easy task is this self appointed one of Bishop Potter's ninistering to the poor and sick in the most densely populated square milo in the entire world. Three hundred and fifty thousand persons in- habit that area therc and nowhere in tho neighborhood are the quarters more crowd- cd and wretched than in tho immediate vicinity of the mission, between Essex and Norfolk streets The tenements swarm from cellar to garrett with half clothed, half starved children, sickly babes, white faced, forlorn mothers and despairing fa- thers. Qhc heat is terrific and sutfocating, and few venture from choice out into the e..lI ot. I1 ,.f tb.,- Nss,
 It is in these teeming tenements that Bishop Potter will pass much of his time. He will administer the communion and the rite of baptism, attend to tho wants of the sick and suffering and marry and bury whenever there is a call for his serv- ices The mission is q long established and dearly cherished institution of the slums, and constant stream of persons flows to it and into the comforting presence of the rector In charge. The bishops office hours are from to 10 o'clock, both in the morn ing and the evening. He will spend the intervals in travelling about the neighbor- hood and in assisting in the daily meet ings for service.
 His living apartments comprise three rooms, small and plain-a sitting room, bedroom and a bathroom. His meals are served from the Community House around the corner. The fare is substantial, but plain to degree which must have sur prised the bishop on first introduction.
 It is tedious walk and a hot, disagree able ride from Broadway or the Bowery to the mission. The bishop will doubtless have few visitors who do not live near his seat of labor. It is as well. He has no time and no inclination to entertain. The demands of unfortunate humanity arc difficult to meet His two secretaries are in Europe for the summer, and Sexton c. l.. Richardson will be his only constant companion They will be the only occu pants of tho mission building at night within call of each other in case of need. From tho single window in the bishops bedroom he will be able to look directly into the tenements on all sides where fire escapes and roof do summer bed duty.
 Tho bishop was surrounded by squad of chattering youngsters when saw him in his room in the mission. I've arc making this east side work the mission of the ca thedral which is to crown the heights of Morningside park, y he said. Two must not think of the cathedral as a magnificent building in which tho church liturgy is to be rendered with all the accessories Of a dignified ceremonial. It is rather the lelrt or Une ciluchNOr, ministers to high and low and rich and DC or alike-an endcavor which finds it's in- spiration and power of continuance in wor- ship We intend to make it place for the masses liko St. Paul's of London.
 We shall soon have more mission houses like this among the Russian and Polish Hebrews and Germans of the east side and expect to have many workers in this field alone. The missionary work outside the parishes we hope to bring into one system, to be controlled by the cathedral.
 Bishop Potter will preach twice on Sun days and once on Thursday evenings and is president of the Sunday school in the Rev. MT. Bateman's absence. He will also have oversight of the kitchen garden, the Helping Hand society, the mothers meet ing, the pastors class, the boys club, the sewing school, the kindergarten, the fresh air work, the gymnasium, the mems club, the relief department, the Girls Friendly society and the Brotherhood of St. An drew. The last organization is composed of young men who do daily missionary work in that quarter. York Herald