The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-20
THE METHODIST INSTITUTION
Doing a Noble Work, in Which Much
Interest is shown.

Doing a Noble Work, in Which Much
Interest is shown.
A very general interest is being mani
tested in the noble work of the Mission
Methodist Institution which is located at
thu corner of Main and Nineteenth
Streets, where it has en- entire large four
story building under its control. While
s, pported by the voluntary contributions
of the different Methodist Churches in
the two cities, it has yet received valua-
bic assistance from many generous
friends not connected with that faith.
The work OF the Mission is varied and
far-reaching in it's good results, and 1t
appeals to all who believe in the doctrine
of the brotherhood OF man." In it's eff
fort to reach that great neglected class,
the street waif, the tramp, the man of
the SlumS and other unfortunateS it
knows no sect nor creed, no faith nor
unfaith, but gives to all deserving of it's
aid and comfort shelter and food, lnstruc-
ton and entertainment. Frequent SER
vices are held in the chapel or assembly
room during the week, and very kindly
atmosphere of Christian comradeship
pervades the mission-house all the time.
While ministering to the spiritual side
of its patrons the Mission does not neg
lect the physical or mental sides. One
finds there six cots, or beds, all of which
have been put in by generous friends in
house feature supplies only in part the
urgent necessity Of some OF the appli-
cants, and by no means is it adequate to
meet the demands made upon it. An APP
plcant for lodging must either pay for his
bed an amount fixed by the supernten-
dent, or in default of that he performs
some work about the mission-house to
earn the hospitality it gives him. The
spirit of value received between lodger
and host thus gives q healthy self-re-
speeding feeling to the former, and he
leaves in the morning era teful but indie
pendent.
Recently q coffee-room has been opened
and there one can get for five cents
large mug of hot coffee and very gen
erous sandwich. This sale is in no way
intended to make money for the insti-
tuition, for as a matter of fact the charge
does not represent the outlay and run
ming expenses of this department. The
superintendent, Mr.. George H Wiley. is
of opinion that his coffee-room patrons
are much better served at the mission
than at the bar-rocms in the neighbor-
hood-hence the coffee-room.
A reading-room for men, a CAMERON
for boys. q small circulating library, q
free night school and a glee club are
among some other features that go to
make the mission attractive for the men
i1tu Joy VI tiiat peiI u liie ely I1seiy
Friday evening is entertainment night,
and very credtable and fine entertain
ments are given in the assembly room
that night in each week. The talent
is from both within and without
Last Friday night Randolph-NIacon Col
lege Glee Club gave a splendid concert.
which was largely attended. All these
affairs are absolutely free, and, needless
to say, there is standing ROOM only
every time.
When one considers that the institution
Use barely three months old, its friends are
very much era 4 4 at the progress made
thus far. Still y oh remains to be done
and the needs are growing each day. The
work this mission is accomplishing is GER
tainly a grand one. and already many
men ard boys have become better citizens
through its instrumentalsty.