The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-14

Evangelist Charles n. Crittenton last
evening addressed a union meeting OF
the several central city Protestant
churches at the Elm Park church on
the subject which is inseparably asso-
ciated with his namc--the Florence
Crittenton missions.
The auditorium and Sunday school
annex were crowded to more than the
seating capacity. Chairs and the re-
serve benches were utilized to accom-
modate the throng. Mr.. Crittenton's
address was a most remarkable one.
The subject of the long neglected
class" is appealing in itself and those
who heard the evangelist last night in
his passionate address lasting nearly
an hour knew at once the reason of his
devotion to the unique cause. He is an
enthusiast in the best sense of the
word.
One incident of last nights service
which noticably stirred the large audi
ence was the remarks of Rev. Joseph
X. Dixon, d. D., pastor of the Penn
avenue Baptist church.
DIR. DIXoN'S REMARKS.
Mr. Crittenton had concluded his
sisters of the land when DR.. Dixon was
introduced by Rev. c. NJ. Giffin, d. D.,
pastor of the Elm Park church. DIR.
Dixon stated in his opening remarks
that he had heard only part of the
evangelst's address, but he had heard
enough to have his soul profoundly
stirred. The subject was a momentous
one, said DR.. Dixon. He had been told
recently that there is more sin of the
character to which the evenings sub
ject points in Scranton than there is in
New York, Chicago, or San Francisco,
that is, comparatively speaking. If
that be true then the words of the
speaker are doubly important.
DIR. Dixon spoke in this strain for a
few minutes, saying that he wished he
had the millions that are stored in our
banks and in the possession of our
wealthy men. He would put a mil
lion in a Florence Mission home by
the sea"
The service opened with an organ
voluntary played by Professor Pen
nington. DIR. Gifiin read scripture and
Rev. Charles Robinson, pastor of the
Second Presbyterian church, who oc-
cupied a seat in the pulpit, offered a
prayer. Alfred Wooler of the Elm
Park church quartette. sang a gospel
hymn selection and then followed the
announcement by Dr. Giffin of the con-
cluding meetings of the series, tonight
and Tuesday night at the armory and
Wednesday night a farewell meeting
in Elm Park church. DR.. Gifin be-
fore placing the meeting in the charge
of Mr.. Crttenton, extended the cour-
90 N ply oh n
eral congregations present. mot be-
cause that we have. larger hearts" "
said DR.. Giffin, but because our house
is a little larger"
A SILENT PRAYER.
Frank Wallace, the Crittenton solo
list, sang "Nellie, Come" in a very
effective manner. Mr.. Crittenton be-
fore beginning his address led in a few
moments of silent prayer. He chose
for his theme the strikingly appropri-
ate words in Isiah, Xlii:22, But this
is a people robbed and spoiled; they
are all of them SHARED in holes, and
they are hid in prison houses; they
| are for prey and none delivereth; for
| a spoil and none saith: Restored"
1T covers all classes" said the evan
gelist. The question is often asked
why are they called the Florence
| Crittenton" homes. Mr.. Crittentor
| then told the story of his salvation
| how the death of his little daughter
| Florence had instilled within him
| first the desire to see her once more
and then the thought that he was un-
| worthy to enter the kingdom; how he
decided to become a Christ follower
and how he listened to the words OF
| God: "Be obedient."
He told of the months Immediately
| following the child's death and how
finally the hand pointed to him his
life work.
Mr.. Crittenton gave incidents and
illustrative stories of the life he had
seen in the poorer quarters of New
York city. He thought: 'Why dom
these girls enter better avenues?'
Then it flashed across his mind thai
they had none. The Florence Critten,
ton mission, established by him in New
York fourteen years ago was the result
CAUSES OF RUINED HOMES.
Going from these personal reminis
censes Mr.. Crittenton said that the
causes of wrecked and ruined lives arr
found in affection, dancing, skating
drugs and wages"
| The final cause he dwelt upon a
length, telling a story of how a younl
widow who received $3.50 per week pay
| When she asked for more wages wa
directed to the bookkeeper of the estab
lishmeEt--a woman-who suggested tn
life of shame, The young widow after
ward became a member of the mission
Mr.. Crittenton followed this introduc
! tory with number of thrilling storie
OF rescue work. He talked in a quick
all absorbing way and held the closes
attention throughout. He cited thre
places in the Bible where the falle
woman is suggested and divinely for
given. These are: st. John, fourt
chapter; st. John, eighth chapter; 81
Luke, seventh chapter.
After Mr. .Crittenton's address an eff
fort was made to raise funds for tn
Scranton mission. Four hundred dol
lars were subscribed by as many pei
sons, Mr.. Crittenton himself being one
besides the general collection. Th
church was prettily decorated. OWN
to the union service the usual evenin
; service was abandoned in a number c
the central city churches.
> 1t is not generally known that tn
management of the Scranton missio
will make an effort to obtain enoug
subscriptions for the erection OF the
own building. This was announced
connection with the meeting lai
night Shares for life membership
double membership and single men
bership will be distributed. For eac
share the contribution is respectively
500, $50 and $1250. The money collect
ed during the Crittenton meetings wi