Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-24
COLORED WAYFARERS.
Mission for Their Rescue and the Work
''i ACCOMPLISHED.

After an experience of two years in deal
ing with the wayfaring class of coored
men and youths, who at times flock to
Washington, Capt. 7. G.. Valiant stated be-
fore a large audience of white and colored
people last night that he believed he hao
arrived at the solution of the so-caled
veXed negro problem Captain Valiant has
for two years been manager of the Light
house Homeward Bound Mission for coll
ored men and boys at 459 Missouri avenue,
an institution which is said to be unique
in the category of missions.
The occasion for Captain Valiant's ad-
dress was the celebration of the second an
niversary of the mission, which was held
last night at the Plymouth Colored Con-
gregatonal Church on 18th street between
o and p streets northwest. The audito-
rum was we'll filled with representative
white and colored people. Captain Valiant
said:
AN adage old the hills and as true
as the gospel tells us that experience is the
so and briefly 1 want to tell you of my
experience for two years as the manager
of the Rescue Home, on Missouri avenue,
for colored men, and especially for the col
ored youth. 1 was the first manager of the
institution when it was started on I'd street
and have, been in charge ever since
I'VE hear pessimistic observers of the
progress of the negro race declare that the
cOlored population furnishes a very great
proportion of the criminal class This is
only true in a measure and why? Because
too many of our Christians are lukewarm
In the matter of going out on the high
ways and hedges and conStraining them to
come in, as God has directed them to do.
There is a great missionary field open
among the colored men and women, too in
of lone .trti,
friends who are eXpending their efforts in
the Fiji Islands and elsewhere abroad
devote more of their time and money to
the colored man at home and we will hear
less of them on the annals of our police
and criminal courts.
MY experience with the homeless col
ored wayfarerS who have sought shelter
under the roof tree of our mission is that
very many of them are thirsting for the
better life; the Cody life; the only correct
life; but they find few outstretched hands
except 1t be those of the keepers of rum
shops and groggeries and pool rooms and
similar holes of the devil. When 1 have
talked to some of the colored wayfarers
about their souls and about our great and
mercffui heavenly Father, / found them re-
sponsive. They were but waiting for some
one to point them to the right road.
~ found that the liquor habit is making
sad ififoads upon the morals and the health
as well of the colored youth of our CITY,
Rum shops, with the allurements of cheap
drinks and other attractions, beset their
paths like lighthouses of evil, alluring them
to. their doom.
'.Visit any of the low bar rooms and
notice for yourselves who are their prin-
cipal patrons. See the throngs of colored
men, and even boys, crOwding to the bar
to get their drinks of the vile stuff which
poisons both body and soul. The time Is
ripe for work. Start a crusade against this
giant evil and God win be on your side.
and tell you, friends. God and one good
Christian worker is majority every time
and in every fight"
There were two services yesterday, at
which addresses were delivered by Com
mander James Haslam. Major Johnson and
others.