CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1900-10-25
RELIGION AZ coNEy ISLAND.
A Chapel with Comforts for Tourists Is q
rf he anl

A Chapel with Comforts for Tourists is 3
Rival of the saloons.
As everybody knows, Coney Island
Is a typical hnrly-burly, the scent, of
continual frivolity with q strong mix
ture of vice-a place where crowds of
people, mostly OF the laboring classes,
go daily to have good time and in
dulge In relaxations, some Of which
are not permitted by the conventional
proprieties at home.
In the very midst OF the worst ca
rousals rises a tower, sixty-fve feet
high, upon the top of which is a box
shaped cabinet, with sides OF ground
glass, upon which are painted in start
ling colors the words, Jesus Saves"
AT the top of the tower is a tall flag
stan from which floats long streamer
bearing the same Inscription. An cleo
trical apparatus furnishes light so
strong that these words shine out from
this gospel lighthouse in the evening
SO plainly that the legend can be read
from passing steamers at least two
miles, and, when the air is very clear,
three miles at sea.
AT the foot of the tower is a yellow
building fitted up as resort for tired
people, women and children, who come
down to Coney Island from the city to
spend the day. They are furnished
free ice water and milk. There are
tables upon which they may spread
their lunches, and a cool shelter to
which everybody who desires can es-
cape from the hot sun and the confu-
sion outside and find a quiet, comfort
able place to rest. The chapel Is open
every afternoon and evening, and the
services are almost continuous. A skill
full performer plays old and familiar
hymns upon an organ that attracts
wayfarers, who, visiting the island for
pleasure, are surprised at finding reli-
gious services in the midst of the bois-
ferrous carousals that are going on for
blocks around Between the hymns
prayers are offered and brief addresses
of an appropriate character are made
The audiences come and go. Some
times there are only bali a dozen peo-
pie in the chapel; sometimes, and us
ually on Saturdays and Sundays, the
seats are well filled. and the chapel
and the tower are always strong rivals
of the merry -go-r rounds. the Ferris
wheels, the dancing payilions. the sa-
looms and other resorts of the island
The Coney Island chapel Is common
ly supposed TO belong to the Salvation
Army. but 1t does not. 1t is the per-
sonal enterprise of William d. Hughes.
an ex-convict. a man Of education and
culture. who Is devoting his life to
mission work and is financially assist
ed by the congregations of the Rev. DIR.
Rainsford and the Rev. DIR. Grier Of
New York. The tower was erected
through the generosity of Mrs. Cort-
landt De Peyster Field of New York.
Mr.. Hughes is graduate OF Column
bian university of Washington. D. c..
studied law and practiced for twenty
years in New York. forged a signature
to legal decree, pleaded guilty. was
sentenced 10 five years ut Sing Sing.
served three years and seven months.
and since his pardon in 1884. has been
engaged in mission work Coney Is
land attracted him as the most inyit-
ing field OF labor. and he advertises
the plan of salvation in the novel way
l have described.