The Newtown bee., 1895-05-03
RELIGIOUS WORK IN THE CITIES.


 The monthly evening service in the interests of the missionary work was held at the Congregational church on Sunday night, the theme being the work of evangeliZing the cities. The atten- dance was large, and the service through out was most interesting. The choir rendered several appropriate selections. Miss Grace Goodsell read very instruc- tive paper on "The work of Evangeliz- ing Our Great Cities" Among other good points made were these: The city must not only be made safe factor in our civilization; it must be saved. One of the most important factors in the problem is the composition of the city, which is thoroughly heterogeneous. It is an interesting fact, and not without significance, that the names of the nine largest cities in the United States repre- sent DO less than seven languages. What mosaic of living stones our city populations are, representing all colors, shades and climes In New York one would scarcely look in vain for repre- sentative of any people. Employed in one factory there are 30 men from Haran, the home of Abraham, where It rah died. It is said that 17 languages were spoken in New York before the Revolution,
 
 A P. Smith had for his theme "The church and the masses" He believed Christians should not dwell entirely on the somber side of the picture, and found ground for confidence that the church was accomplishing great work.
 The service had fitting close in the eloquent address of Rev o. W. Barker. He said in part: If the Salvationists themselves were asked for character
 zation of their movement, I suppose that which they would prefer would be, body of men and women constantly at work. Every one connected with the army, from the commander-in- chief down to last nights recruit, is to be at some labor. Their object, to put it briefly and bluntly, is: "Get saved, stay saved." As Suvaroff said to his Rus sian soldiers, they believe in the thought :; "Bullets are fools; get at them with your bayonets."
 Most of us are acquainted with the tambourine and drum element of the work how many of us know anything about the self-sacriicing, house-to- house visitation done by large number of men and women? Follow 8 s'slum sister, as in outward appearance hardly differing from the poor wreJches that ] she passes among, she goes down into the rickety tenements of the "Bend" or | "Hell's Kitchen" in lower New York, in | her apron and cotton dress, providing medical care for the sick, tending to the |ged, scrubbing the floors, selling the garments that have been made, doing any needful service except to give money | outright, which is only done in rare cases.
 In the center of the old town of Green
 wich, which has now lost it's identity in | the dense mass that is wedged together on the West Side in New York, once | stood the Berean church. The Salya- | tion Army got hold of this, and they have transformed it into food snd shel- | ter station, and called it the 'sLight- house." The name aptly applies, for it
 is indeed light that is shining in dark place. The audience-room of the old church is now held for meetings of the | Army the lower floor has been divided l into restaurant with it's small tables and long counter, kitchen, and a dor ! mitory equipped with 50 beds, which, in | neatness and genuine comfort, are far l above those to be had in the average | ''Bowery lodging house." Each bed is ! 8 wooden frame on the floor, three and a l half by seven feet, fitted with an ex- celsior mattress and an oil-cloth cover | ing. Here the wayfarer may obtain a l good nights lodging for seven cents. Let us go into the restaurant and see | how we fare. A plate of savory soup is served for two cents, baked beans cost l two cents, a cup of coffee or tea the same. Beef stew or corned beef and \ cabbage is four cents; while, if the pat ron of the establishment is somewhat aristocratic in his tastes, he can get a i generous slice of meat pie for five cents. 1 A placard near the door will attract your attention: ssIf you or your friends are poor, or are in hard luck, or your | work leaves you no time to prepare meals at home, we can help you here. 5 The captain of the place does not seem in any way discouraged, neither does the waiter, as he huns snatch of an Army hymn. Indeed, this waiter has a touch of romance in his history. At one time he was student in an English uni yersity later he became private secre- tary to a prominent statesman; then his career was that of an outcast, wanderer and drunkard on the streets of New York.
 Do believe in the Salvation Army {? Yes, with all my heart, and bid it God speed. Emotionalism may divert useful religious energy into useless channels and may be a positive hindrance to the work of God. As long as the energies of the Salvationists seemed expend ed ia the clashing of cymbaIs and the beating of drums, in crude testimo- nies and cruder music, we Christians might well afford to be indifferent to it's work. But the appearance of Gen Booths book, tsIn Darkest England, and the Way Out, , has given new life to the Army, or, at least, has given it 8 new manifestation of life. The Salvation Army is the modern illustration of the parable of the Good Samaritan. I do not care to argue about it's creed; Elucb less shall bother myself about the cut is going down into the dark places of the earth, finding those who have no helper, trying to make their lives happier not only trying to make them happier, but better. not only trying to make these lives better, but trying to make the possessors of these lives realize that they are sons and daughters of the living God :: and, not only trying to do this. but suc- ceeding in doing 1t, too. Enough for me that Christ praised the deed of the Good Samaritan, who went to the man wound ed and half dead, while the priest and the Levite hastened on to attend the ser vices at the Temple. What if you do not agree with all the methods of the Salva- tionists in doing their work! Then find some better method yourself for doing the work of the Lord.
 Charles Botsford has had to have his old horse, John, killed. He was 35 years old. Mir Botsford has had him from a colt. He lived on hay, this winter, and could cat hay ag well as some young