The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-16
TO HELP THE FALLEN.
Annual Meeting Of the Providence
Rescue Home Mission.
Address by Rev. c. H. Brent bf the House
Of Mercy, Boston.


presidency of the Providence Rescue
Home Mission at the annual meeting OF
the society In the Central Congregational
Church last evening. He referred to the
comparatively short time the society has
been In existence ana the encouraging re-
suits obtained. 1t was q small beginning
bit II has developed into . strong force
for doing good. He also said tnat II
wss with the deepest regret that he re-
signed from the presidency after two
years of pleasure ana satisfaction.
Rev. M. ii. Bixby, ID. d., ,the secretary.
read his report, which treated OF the
| history of the movement for saving fall
len women. In brief, IL was ~ follows:
"The first meeting was held In the Y.
| M. G, A. building Nov. IL, 1894. Four
pistors tnen made up the board. A per-
mansnt organization WAS effected Dec. 10,
1894, with f. Moore as president. The
board was increased to seven pastors,
with au equal number OF laymen. In
December a home was opened at 96
Msthewson street. Miss Mary A. Hop
kins tookl charge. She did q wonderful
amount of good, and her life closed ut
| time when she had ACCOMPLISHED much
| for the cause OF unfortunate women, and
| mad greatly increased the power of the
| Home. 1t WAS in February, 1896, that Mise
| Hopkins died, and in her death cur loss
| was great.
"It was found that the meetings In
| Clemence street interfered with the rse-
fulness of the home. 30 the mission was
| given up. In the early sum mer We re-
moved to wey bosaet street, where We have
a greater opportunity to reach these
women. Miss Philipbar has made very
earnest and active superintendent"
| Hon. Rathb bone Gardner, as treasurer,
submitted his report. About $50 covers
| tho deficit, which Is less than that OF
last year ny considerable. He expressed
a hope that the work would not have to
be given up on account Of lack OF sup
port. In this community there are about
300 persons VINO contribute to the support
| of the work. The board thinks that In
view of the fact that this is the only door
thst stands always open for the omen
cast out by society the Home deserves q
greater mum Der OF bsckers who may have
the privilege of contributing to the sup
port OF this Institution. Ho said.
"we feel that we should unite all our
efforts to establish firmly tine Home.
Just as soon as the board finds itself with
sufficient support to extend the influence
OF this movement, a mission for women
will be sustained similar to the Clemence
street mission. We now have q very eff
cient worker, but We should have more
than one woman laboring for the cause.
We ought, think, to carry on a very
vigorous warfare, not waiting until the
woman is brought before the police court
for trial and has no OF ner alternative than
to put herself under the care OF our
Home.
Miss Anna Phillipbsr, tie supernten-
dent, Offered her report. The good re-
suits which were modestIy told in her
paper were accomplished only at q great
sacrifice OF time ard labor. Mr.. Moore
arose to present the next speaker. He
said "Tonight have tho honor OF in-
PRODUCING a man who has been engaged
ia this work for msny years. His efforts
differ somewhat from our, but we will
al
Is unique. / have the homer to intro
duce Rev. 6. Il. Brent, rector OF st.
stephens's Church, Boston, and chap
lain CT the House of Mercy" Tho later
sad
'sThis work has already borne fruit In
your city. IL you ale only 800 strong, 90
not give 1t up for lack of support. THIS
community will not allow this crime to
fall upon it. hope that your Home will
grow In power and that country place
will be added, where the woman can be
taught to bo useful. Let me add that
YOU should never let one woman do this
work alone She needs q comforter to
assist her. The food Of sin and the con-
slant association with it bas been known
TO cause the breakdown morally and
| physicaIly of women who should be help
ing the fallen.
"it has been said that Christianity Is
the religion of failure. Yes, let Ne glory
in il. There In no failure so great that
we cannot reach IL. IL has been asked
why 90 you work among thsse women
who would he better in their gravesf Is
IL possible to rescue these women? One
fees ashamed that such questions are
asked ny the members of churches. Christ
cane 10 save the lost. Very few persons
in society who nave not met In some way
these so-called lower classes know the
good tnst Is in than" Mr.. Brent en-
umcraied several instances showing that
in many there is high moral sense.
"Yet," ho continued, "they say We can't
reach theso people. Our work means
more than tho rescue Of these women; it
is to put them in the way OF resching
others-to mako saints where th re are
in herent qualities tnat when unmixed
with sins OF the Hesb, would make noble
lives.
ssMsn IL not so much contaminated by
Sin as.is q woman? He is. man who
stains his soul is as guilty asa woman.
His earthly punishment II NOT 80 great