New-York tribune., 1901-07-29
HAYMARKET AS A CHURCH
STRAINS OF THE HYMN REPLACE THE
RAGTIME NOTES.
TENDERLoIN FREQUENTERs LOOK IN WITH
CURIOSITY. BUT FEW ATTEND THE
REV. MR. JONEs's SERVICES.

The windows of the Haymarket dance hall
cleaned with their usual brilliancy last night,
but the music of the piano stopped many a
habitue of the Tenderloin. because of the
strangeness of the chords. Instead Of the
strumming of violns and crash of the bass
drum in ragtime two step. there was
heard the sound Of a multitude or voices JOINED
in n solemnly measured hymn.
Those who stopped to discover the cause of
this sudden transformation were more than
taken aback not to find cashier in the little
Gagged window in the vestbue, nor a uniformed
employe at the door demanding tickets of the
male visitors Instead the doors swung
wide open and ushers were inviting all ito come
in and be seated
Those who cared to make further inquiry
learned that Edward B. Corey, the proprietor OF
the resort, was not there. but had turned his
place TO the Jerry McAuley Cremorne Mis-
sion. of No. 1O4 West Thirtysecond-st, and
that Gospel meeting being held Ar
rangement had been made between Mr. Corey
and the Rev. Joseph Jones, superintendent OF
the mission, through the intervention OF Deputy
Police Commissioner Devery. by which 1t VIII
be used every Sunday in August and Septem-
ber for missionary meetings
Whatever may have been the expectations OF
Mr.. Jones and many of his missionary workers.
the audience which they found was not the klhu
they had hoped for. The great majority OF the
habtues of the Tenderloin who throng the re-
sort other nights of the week only peeped IN
through the open door. Many fiashily dressed
young woman seen to cast curious look IN
through the crowds that thronged the vestibuie
and then dart away down the avenue. a rev
dressed In more sober costume. whose curiosity
aroused that a mere cursory glance from
the sidewalk was insufficient. went inside tow
ard the close of the meeting and took seats IN
out OF the way corners of the balcony
NOT THE KIND CT AUDIENCE EXPECTED
The crowds that filled the hall so that there
was only standing room for those timorous per-
sons whom the missionaries had hoped 10 reac'
were composed of church workers. members of
the Young Mems Christian Association ana a
crowd Of hangers on" from the Bowery mis-
sions to whom the free admission feature offered
entrance to what had always before been mac
cessible. Such remarks as the following were
frequently heard:
Hello the place has got a stage!
See there's a picture of Dewey above the
drop curtain,"
Say. these fans keep you cool, don't they?
Wonder II C:ey pays for the running OF EN-
Look at the looking glasses all around the
room!"
The place has got a balcony too, with boxes
In it,
Many, too. acCorulnB TO NiIelN c"Ai SNON''
.e ~ dared 20 come TO the place before oe-
cause they thought it wasn't respectable some
EXPRESSED considerable disappointment at the
cracked coloring of the walls. the cheap cell
ing held together by iron braces and the thread
bare scenery of tire stage. which pictured
gateway under an overhanging oak tree III
such precarIous fashion that both the tree ana
the stone wall appeared to be in imminent dan
ger OF collapse. great bass drum formeo
one Of the features of the foreground, and IT,
too. had n worn look.
CROWD BEGINS TO GATHER.
The semblance of a dance hall had been de-
stroyed as far as possible by the arrangement OF
the chairs which were placed In pewiike rows
across the room. The front seats began 10 MI
with a crowd OF curiosity hunters as early as
7:3O o. m a half hour before the time set for
the meeting Other people began coming IN
with Bible or prayer book, II from other mis-
sions or churches When II almost
o'clock and a crowd restively tostling to and
fro in the vestibule. Mr.. Jones mounted the
stage and said: ''Win some of those in the back
there come forward and take these front seats?'
There was a heavy thud and two men came
up the middle aisle. One was several inches
over six feet in height and wore a beard which
reached his watch chain The other was few
inches under four feet. smooth shaven and bald,
the very impersonation OF the late Bill Nye.
An elevated train went by and drowned out a
litter from box In the balcony.
Mr. Jones then opened the meeting with
prayer. He brought up several heads. however.
when he asked that God might bless Devery
for obtaining the Haymarket for the meetings
Several songs were then sung. including "Al
Hail the Power of Jesus Name" What a
Friend l Have In Jesus" Under His Wings
and Saved by Grace A solo sung by
Miss Anna Parker.
Despite the electric fans the heat in the place
was intense. and those who could not sing
refreshed themselves with fans which were
printed:
Keep coo!-Go to the Haymarket-Dancing
all night-Open all summer-Good music"
prayer was offered by George S. Avery of
the New-Yorl1 Christian Home, after which Mr.
Jones introduced Frank o. Smith. secretary of
the naval branch Of the Young Mems Christian
Association as the first speaker of the evening"
Mr.. Jones added:
II wish everybody to take care and not
litter up this place. Do not throw anything on
the floor We want to he just as sweet to Mr.
Corey as Mr.. Corey has been to u.s.
Mr. Smith said that he had been asked several
days in advance for his subject, because the
story had got out that it was most sensational.
81 only bring disappointment to those who
hoped for any sensatonalism." he continued.
The theme that wish to bring home to every
one here is simply this That must repent OF
sins If wish to be saved. This SUBJECT is
appropriate both for the Murray Hill palace and
the Tenderloln resort. Our hearts are all the
same. Mankind is all the
Then too, l want to bring the love of God
home to you. 1t is the love of God that
If the women of the Tenderloin only
knew of this love. they would not go tramp