New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-23
4 UON1N PLEADS FOR HEB BOEEHF BOYS
EXPERIENCES IN THAT WONDERFUL STREET AT
NfGHT-FEw OPEN DOORS, EXCEPT THOSE
or THE RARROOM

Mrs Sarah J. Bird. Of Upper Montclair y j.
who has been actively engaged in rescue mission
work in this city for two or three years, hrst III
Madlson-st. and later in the Bowery. had some IN
tcresting experiences during the cold weather OF
the last fortnight To Tribune reporter she
has given her observations OF one night III par
ticiIlar
MANY OF those who have read with thrilling
pain OF the sufferipgs Of our seamen VIII never
know ~ the misery Of thousands in our own cry
Ny midnight walk on the Bowery one night re-
yealed to me- sights which | hope never TO see
again 1t was the night OF my service FOR lodging
house men a, the Bowery Mission. The severity
Of the storm had driven crowds within; and by
filling every inch OF standing room had an au-
dicncc OF over four hundred men. became so
much Interested that / forgot the hour ana the
storm without. and at II 30 was still holding my
gospel service; but one OF my mon realized the
terrors OF the night and went out to find cab to
take me home Not finding one he came back and
kindly said:
IF Won Will trust my strong arm Will get you
home somehow but You cannot stand on your
feet: the wind Is terrific This man Is an eX-con-
Wet but always trying to help others As sheter
f,r the nicht was offered in the Bowery Mission
TO all who had place TO 80. about one hunureu
men were glad to sit on the benches till morning.
"A was carried through the binding storm and
deep drifts met hundreds OF bestormed wanderers
out on this terrible sea Of lsfe The Bowery' ana
tho only lighthouses for these wrecked mariners
were The saloons. SC brilliant and so glowing with
warmth that | did not wonder these homeless
mon were allured 10 shelter therein
Il an tod by the police that these saloons often
omen their doors stormy nights and let all VINO
win enter stand all night. and. after taking IN
tho smell OF liquor for hours. Of course their nrst
nick 81 goes for n drink. AS saw these poor, thiny
,,ind mon crouchrg at the entrance TO these sa-
looms [ said to myself: rs this the only open door
in this Christian city for our homeless boys? but
/ am told These are unworthy. yes. Ahi
so are We all unworthy, have never yet iounn
a man so hardened that kind words would not
soften his heart. Men have told me that cup OF
coffee had saved them. given them new courage
TO begin a better life. young man said II me
+ hadn't prayed to God for years until he sent
me into this Bowery mission TO ge' something TO
eat. go , -
Il am in close friendship with hundreds OF ihese
lost men bat / know Of noble acts OF self denial
among then. that would put some o; us Christians
To shame one NJ my men told me that IT was
common thing for one OF these poor follows, when
walking the streets at night. 70 take MS oVercoai
or and lend it 10 his comrade more thnly Gao. gll
than himself There ought to be industries Tor
these men The Industrial Christian Alliance IL
- fair exponent OF what can be done. We ought 10
have nftv like industries scattered over the city
II is "A grand noble work to send relief to all parts
OF the world. but not in duty bouni 10
hear the cry OF distress that comes from our own
children -