Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-12-29
VISIT TO = CHICAGO MISSION.

Editor Democrat
The omissions" in our large cities are
doing vast amount OF good In reaching.
helping and rescuing great many peo-
pie OF All classes and conditions OF lif',
who have in very MANY instances gone
down into the depths OF sin and iniquiiy.
Chicago has great many such mis-
sions, and they are doing grand work.
One OF the oldest and best known, per
haps, l. the Pacific Garden Mission
located on Van Buren, Street, corne, OF
Plymouth Place. Col Clark. who is
now gone 10 his reward. started the mis-
sion with the aid OF his faithful wife,
nineteen years ago, and during all that
time It's doors have been open every
night for Gospel services; aud during
all of that time Mrs. Clark has rarely
missed night, so that there are men to-
day scattered sll over the world who
have been led 20 Christ by Mrs. Clark, or
the other workers, and who carry the
little testament which she gave them, ii
may be long years before.
Let Us enter and see for ourselves.
No magnificent room with stained glass
windows and cushioned pews greets our
view. On the contrary we see store
building, seated with four or five hun
dred chairs. the walls and even the
shades around the electric lights made
beautiful by inspiring scripture verses.
They are singing As We enter, and the
chorus rolls up from the hundreds of
thrOsts, and makes one glad song OF
praise 20 Him that hath redeemed Us
FROM our sins. We find q chair amongst
the crowd, and glance around Us.
What an sssemblsge, Mostly men, all
classes and conditions Of men.-rich and
poor. white and cOlored, well dressed
and miSerably clad, and some who look
a. though they Worked-vOrked 70 keep
away from soap and water.
On the platform sits Mrs. Clark, very
frsil little woman, but one whom the
Lord wonderfully strengthens and bless
e.. Harry Monroe leads the meeting
lie MAS wonderfully saved fifteen years
ago, when he had gone far down IN the
WAYS OF sin. Since then he has been
praising sad blessing God, and working
20 bring others % him.
A -. Louis lawyer talked 20 them "A
while, telling them the old, old story Of
how Christ came 70 seek and save the
lost, and then he told OF how he vas lost
In sin but Christ saved him only u few
years before, and now VAS helping and
keeping him day BY day.
After the talk another rOuSing song
WAS sung, and then the testimonies were
given with an esrnestneSs that left no
room for doubt but what the power OF
tod had taken hold Of them. Some
were two days old 10 Christ, some three,
some four, some a week, some two weeks,
some month aud 80 on.
A. man is lifted up in Christ. great
change Is gradually noticed IN his out
ward appearance. You would never
suppose that that well dressed, nice ap-
pesring man had ever been anything else
than a successful business man, but less
than year ago he strayed in here, be-
cause he had no other place 10 go, no
money, 20 friends. Ragged aud dirty,
he looked anything but promising sub
jet for Gods grace 10 work on, but he
received Christ that night 10 all his full
ness and power. and he has been chang
ed Outwardly as well a. inwardly, ever
since.
The Invitation Was given aud MANY
came forward 90 De talked with and
PRAYED for. Mtnv souls are horn into
the Kingdom every night. ~ We 90
out into the street sfler meeting. Ne can
not but feel, surely this il the house OF
God. and the gate Of heaven % our souls.
and IL hath been good for u 10 De here. -"
MAY the Lord still prosper his work
there, and help and encourage his peO-
pie that are holding up Christ. in that
dark aud Wretched portion Of the city.
HENRY II. BERRY.