The times., 1899-10-26
THE CHRISTIAN WORKERS
Report of the Army and Navy
Y. NJ. c. A. in San Juan.
Rooms Secured in the Centre of the
City Convenient TO the Soldiers
The Circulating Library Much
Appreciated Feature 4 Gospel
Hall Opened - Tracts for sniIors.

The September report Of the representa-
tives Of the Army and Navy Department
of the Young Mems Christian Associations
at San Juan, Porto Rico. has been received
here The report is signed by Secretary
zerah C. Collins. and is as follows:
Owing to the frequent rains and 6x-
treme heat, with the accompanying fevers,
September has been a trying month for
Christian workers in Porto Rico. While
in no way neglecting the secular, special
efforts have been made to do a larger and
more aggressive spiritual work Mr.. Smith
in organizing the San Juan branch of the
Army and Navy Young Mems Christian
Association, showed foresight in securing
a location for the rooms in the very centre
of the city, and yet at a convenient dis
tance for our soldiers. This fact, with the
attractions of our cheerful and well equip
ped quarters, and the knowledge that a
cordial welcome always awaits them, has
caused our building to be the headquarters
for hundreds of our boys in blue during
the past month
"Of the privileges extended probably
none are more appreciated by the soldiers
and sailors than the use Of our large and
carefully selected circulating library. 1t
is only when we know that the soldier on
garrison duty (unless on some special de-
taiD gives an average of only two hours
per day to the Government, that we realize
the value of wholesome reading in help
ing him to proftably occupy the balance of
the time. Those who are contributing to
this feature OF the Army and Navy work
are sowing seed that will yield an abundant
harvest for good.
Our restaurant, where good food may
be had at any hour of the day or evening,
without the temptations found in the cafes
of San Juan, is still one of the valuable
preventive features of our work. We
have kept more or less in touch with the
troops stationed at other points on the
island, giving particular attention, how
ever, during September to the special de-
tails sent to the interior to distribute
Government supplies to the sufferers from
the recent hurricane. Detachments Of men
in command of a on-cCmmissioned officer.
are stationed at twenty-siX distributing
posts. Isolated from the outside world,
they have thoroughly appreciated the late
papers and packages Of reading matter
which we have forwarded through the mail
and quarteTmaster's department eighteen
Of the sergeants- and corporals having
already written US expressing their graft
tude to the association.
Forty visits have been made to vessels
in the harbor and magazines, tracts, tes-
taments etc. distributed, and many per-
sonal talks had with the men. The sailors
are very grateful and we believe this yisi-
tation work to be of special Importance as
few of the United States sailors or marines
have shore leave.
"On September l we opened a large
audience room for religious work directly
across the narrow street from our o0ms.
This room we have called y NJ. G. A.
Gospel HalL" holding religious services
here every evening at 80 O'Clock. Fifteen
conversions have been reported and the
men by their lives proving the power OF
Christ to save. Five of these. converts are
from the Hospital Corps, and are develop
ing into practical Christian workers. We
expect God to bless their efforts as they
labor among their sick comrades. Very
many have asked for prayers, and we feel
that we have seen only the beginning Of
d deep spiritual work.
Morning prayers are held every week
day at o'clock Bible class Sunday
at j. m, and Bible readings for young
converts at 3 p. N. Sundays. By permis-
sion Of Colonel De Russy, services are
held in the Eleventh Infantry guardhouse
Sunday mornings at 10:30 and thoroughly
enjoyed by the men who are confined there.
Too much cannot be said in conmendadon
Of the uGseifish cooperation Of the Chris
tian workers located here, teachers giving
Of the hours needed for rest, pastors and
missionaries dividing their labors with us.
The Army and Navy officers are in hearty
sympathy, extending every possible cour
tesy when we need to call upon them. May
our friends in the home land, as they
remember the work with their means, re-
member the workers in their prayers.