The Washington times., 1895-05-23
GOSPEL WAGON WEDDING
Ceremony Over a Times Couple
Before a Multitude.
SHEA MISSION DEDICATED
Central Union Mission Formally Takes
Possession of the Maryland Avenue
House That Became Notorious I'm
dertheSheas-Refor Work mong
Louise Alley Sinners.

The Central Union Mission emphasized one
OF its most conspicuous triumphs last
night, when, in the presence of 400 or
500 people and with exultant songs and
words of praise and the marriage of a
pentent pair, il dedicated its Maryland
avenue branch mission in the vicinity of
that dark aud mysterious quarter known
as Louise alley.
The mission-house has history which
does not need recapitulation, but it is
proper to state that it was AT One time,
and not so lorg ago, occupied as saloon
by John Shea and his wife ard is now by
the voluntary act OF Mrs. Shea leased at
nominal rent 10 the missicn as place OF
worship, and that she is an active par
tIcipant in the religious obscrvances.
The building is numbered $50 1-2, and
stands in Tow OF two-story frames, rand
wiched between more pretentious brick
dwellings, all but one in the square being
the property of Mr.. and Mrs. Shea. A
small sigu over the door informs the passer
by OF the present character of the work
carried on within, and a bracket bearing
lamp with a glass enclosure has a similar
Maryland Avenue Branch
Mission"
NEAT WHITE WALLS
The room dedicated last night is not
lighted by electricity, nor even gas; but
several brightly beanling kerosene lamps
cast their rays upon the neat white walls
and ceiling of a modest temple, that is
seventy people.
1t was quite too small TO hold the crowd
OF spectators of the scene so unusual for
that locality. II was a simple service,
but glistening eyes aud qCivering lips
clearly evidenced the thorough appreciation
OF the participants.
Mr.. George W Havell superintendent of
the branch, was selected 10 offer the dedi-
catory prayer, and remarks were made by
Rev. Z b. Bailey, pertinent to the occasion,
after which brief congratulatory addresses
and personal testimonies were Offered by
other workers, the exercises being inter
spersed with the singing of Mission hymns
and closing with prayer by Mr.. Bailey.
Occupying "A seat well up towards the
front, and surrounded by her new aSsoci-
ates, sat a black-robed lady. hair tinged
with gray and of quiet demcanor, TO whom
the scene, once so strange. is now becom-
ing familiar That was Mrs Ellen Shea,
who, Ia use her own words, "once occu-
pied that same room dealing out rum ="
Mrs Shea was one of those who addressed
the asseInblaEe. She was unable TO com
plete the sentence quoted. but closed with
you all know what it was that I sold 3"
THOSE WHO SPOKE.
Others who spoke were Mrs. Pratt, Jim
mie' Richardson, "BHI" Ruux, j C.
Muncaster, Rev. c. II. Mytinger aud Misses
Fannie stuckcy and Emily Lawson, two
active members of tile mission lErnd. who
have taken up their residence in Shea's
! court Tor the sake OF having more oppor-
| tuuities for Christian work Remarks
were made also by George w. Havell
George W Wheeler and several others.
and last by Ellen Grieyes-"Irish Ellen,
as she used TO be known, who, by her own
confession, has spent years in The work
house; whose very approach was hailed
by those even uf the baser sort with eX-
carnations of disapproyal and aversion.
Ellen is a pensoner, and after her con-
versioA from ilic evil way she rcuted a
house, No. 342, in the court, aud named
it "EIlen's Rescue Home where she is
exemplifying her reformation.
Prior to the dedicatory service an open
air meeting was held. the speaking beng
done from the gospel wagon drawn in
the proceedings here that has no prec-
edeBt upon such an occasion hnd evi
denced the fact that the work of The
Times has reached Shea's court Al the
close of Rev. MI Bailcy's address Robert
A. PumphTey and Ida Davis. neatly
dressed and quite respectable in appear
ance, arose in the place provided for them
in the gospel wagon and We're suleIHny
united IN marriage in the presence OF
I