New-York tribune., 1901-09-02
AT HEARTSEASE HOME.
RESCUE WORK WHICH WOMEN ARE Do
ING FOR UNFORTUNATE GIRLS-THEY
CLAIM ALL SUPPORT Is RE
cETNEn THROI-GH PRAYER
CEIVED THROUGH PRAYER.

large white sign. bearing the words. Jesus
Loves and Saves" has been placed the roof OF
The little red brick building at No 513 West Fifty
third-st. within a few days, and its advent has
excited curiosity among the people in the
business buildings near by. But few know that
the little house is the Heartsease Home. where
in the shadow % the prison next door, . work for
the reformation and relief Of unfortunate girls Is
carried on BY day and night In the course OF
her downward career IL is not unusual for girl
70 pass some time within the walls of the prison,
and the sign was devised for the benefit OF those
who stand for long. weary hours at the windows
with their faces pressed against the bars 10 look
down on the adjoining roofs
The home is the outcome Of a hope long cher
ished by Miss A. y. Smith, who is the superin-
tendent and who with friend, opened the house
with little furniture and 36 cents for capital
An there is in our home has been received in
direct answer TO PRAYER" said Miss Smith We
have not made any public appeals. and when
moved in We did not know what We should do
for food and other necessaries but felt that
Il was the right thing for 70 do. and before
evening friend brought IN SIS. She said she had
been praying for Us, when it occurred 10 her 10
60 among her friends and interest them in the
work and they al responded. with the result
that our immediate needs were supplied. From
that tine. TWO years ago. We have gone straight
with the work. and the money has always
come in answer 10 prayer. We accommodate six
from three 10 six months"
The girls frequently attracted TO the home
by the prettly furnished reading room, which
opens directly on the street. aid in which they
rest, play games. or read the latest books
and magazines
Our prayer now is for 5000 TO open a home
uptown for the girls who viii stay with US long
eEough 10 nj Themselves for lives OF usefulness.
and this house into dormitories where We
can give comfortable shelter 10 any who apply"
SAID Mss Smith. Not that We ever turn any
from the door now" she added, for 10 matter
out nights lodging or meal II the cots are
all ful, they sleep on the sofas in the reading
ROOM and II those in use. TOO. then the girls
SIT uD IN The shelter OF the home. and keep
them company Il Il not al all unusual for our
gong, which il extra loud one, 10 ring al or
o'clock in the morning, and We md some poor
cir waiting sdmitJance-'
During their stay at the home the girls are
taught music, sIenOgraphy. plain sewing and
nouseWOrk- The chief object Of beginning instruc-
ton Immediately is TO keep their minds occupied.
As Tar as possible, only those under thirty years
Of age are inmates Of the home.
Inc use OF q lawn which is at the back Of the
mouse, and which belongs 10 Amity Church. en-
aoles the girls to enjoy exercise and recreation
without gong TO the street
There have been siXty-fOur inmates Of the home
since us opening. and all Of the cases have been
carefully watched with the result that the
reiornaations have been complete and permanent,
say the managers one difficulty encountered is
me unEl-hlgness OF parents 10 take back an
errng daughter. no matter how thoroughly re-
say they fear the example on younger children,
ano II many instances they viii 90 70 considera bic
expense 70 have the girl We'll cared for. but she
cannot 20 back 10 her home