The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1899-01-26
MISSIONARY WORK.
How It Is Conducted In the
City of Washington.

no Lack of Effort of the Highest Order tt
Raise the Moral Condition of the National
Capital-Model Missions, and Plenty o.
Them.
If the people Of Washington are not al
thoroughly good, it is not for lack of effort to
elevate them to the proper standard Nc
city in the country has a larger proportion OF
jealous Christian workers, who cry aloud and
epare not. and it is believed that in no city
Is the missionary work so thoroughly organ
lied. prosecuted so indefatigablv and so COM
pletely comprehensive of all classes, colors
and previous conditions of servitude. First
In importance of the work is
THE CENTRAL UNION MISSION.
This is an interdenominational organiza-
tion, which includes all the evangelical
churches in the city, and each of them takes
up regular collections for its support. Its
Headquarters are on Louisiana avenue, be-
tween Sixth and Seventh streets. 1t has
there a fine brick building, 65 feet front by
81 deep, and six stories high, and occupies the
whole of il. In the lower part are the restau
rant, laundry, printing office, kitchen, and
employment agency. Back of these is a
woodward for the employment of those will
ing 10 work In the second story are the
offices of the Directors and officers and fine
auditorium, capable of seating 1000 persons
and neatly furnished. The rest of the build
ing is occupied with sleeping rooms, bath
rooms, etc This is where most of the work
is done. The doors are open all the time,
and there are always people in attendance to
minister to every caller. Those seeking food
and lodging are taken in and cared for. If
they have no money they are not turned
away, but food and lodging are furnished to
those who want 10 pay for them at very
moderate price. For 10 cents man or wo-
man can get a good meal, for Is cents din
ner with dessert. The food supplied is whole
some and well cooked. Those who have no
money, but are willing to Pay with work,
are given chance in the woodward, or some
other employment. The employment agency
helps them get work, and is a convenience to
citizens who want help. A well-lighted,
well-warmed reading-room is az the service of
those who want TO spend their days and even
ings there.
There are no cast-iron rules and regula-
tions. Every caller is treated according to
the discretion of the experienced men and
women in charge. Coming under the in
fuence of liquor is not considered bar to
admission the first time, but it must not be |
repeated The same discretion is exercised |
with regard to length Of stay. Really needy |
and unfortunate people are cared for some |
times for weeks, but the chronic loafer and |
bum gets short shrilt The Mission appeals
to the charitable people TO buy their kindlng
and frewood from il, aid so help on its
work. 1t charges Sc a cord for pine, and
$6.50 for oak and mixed wood.
Services are held every day in the year in
the meeting room, at noon, and again In the
evening These are very largely attended |
The report for the period from Dec. Is to
Jan. 0 shows that sc services were held, at
which the aggregate attendance was IS, PAS. |
Besides there are 10 other branch Missions
located in various parts of the city, so as 10
reach every quarter. During the period
above named 10S meetings were held in them,
with an aggregate attendance of about 1000 |
Besides these, during the pleasant weather
the Mission maintains a g Gospel Wagon"
which makes tours of the city, and holds
outdoor meetings everywhere that promises
TO be good field of effort. 1t is large,
substantial vehicle, drawn by four horses,
and carrying an organ and 80 people-preach-
ers organists, singers, and tract distributors. |
The preachers are mostly lsymen. and all
volunteers, and the work done by this means
is believed TO be unusually effective.
The Mission was organized Aug 19, 1884,
and incorporated Jan. Z, 1887, in order that
it might hold property. Its declared object
is:
To press upon the attention OF the I'M
saved the necessity of immediate repentance,
and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as
the only and all-suf1icient Savior"
1t depends for its support upon voluntary
cnntri hut ions and we'll has IT DrOyed l.
self noble charity and work that the people
of Washington have contributed most liber
ally to its support. During its Is years OF