New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-21
HOLD SALOON REVEALS.
TENDERLOIN INVADED.
Western Euongeists Introduced 6y
Proprietor-Deuery Club paslted.

Mr. and Mrs William Asher. the evangersts
from, Chicago. who have been doing much good
work among the slurs of Western cities anu
more recently in Newark. PatersHf' anu 'eI'e'
City invaded the Tenderloin last night 1leS
adareesad two large and respectful audiences
The first service was held In the Saloon u
& ]. Gallagher at 6th-ave and 29th-st, one OF
the busiest corners of the Tenderloin The sec
o,7d service was az big Bill" Devery's Four
Corner Club rooms. at Sth-aTe. and 26th-st
Cards had been widely distributed announcing
the services and when the evangel.ats appeared
ct the Gallagher saloon there was present a
large number of patrons; some regular habitues
of that part Of the city, others Just casual
vis:tors.
M Asher is a rather short, smooth faced man.
about thirty years old. He wore a black frock
coat and trousers and white vest. ana carried
a large collapsible organ, presented to the Ash
ers by the saIoonkeepers of st. Paul. Mimi Mrs
Asher is a rather robust woman, of pleasant face
and manners.
AS they entered the saloon they were greeted
cordially by Mr. Gallagher. All eyes were
turned toward them and every head was barred
A young man who was singing coon song IN
the rear room stopped abruptly and general
hush fell over the assemblage. All business
ceased.
The organ was opened and Mr.. Gallagher in
PRODUCED Mr. and Mrs. Asher as follows;
Ladies and gentlemen wish TO introduce MI
and Mrs William Asher, evangelists, who Wisn
TO speak few words to you-a few words from
God"
The meeting opened with prayer Then Mr.
Asher talked to his audience n the parlance
they SO we'll understand
Now Buds" he said, this isn't a religious
meeting. My little wife desires to have heart
, to heart talk with you, TO remind you fellows
and girls of the joyous Christmastide which is
now at hand. This is time for rejoicing. and
| no matter what We are a denizen of the Tender
| Ioin or pure and spotlesS creatures, we should
| be happy at this merry yuletide.
Continuing he said that he did not wish 10
| preach the Gospel, but that he wanted the men
| and women who listened to him to think of home
| and the loved
! You may have gone astray along the great
| White Way but there is still hope for you. Just
| think of home and mother.
His words did not fall ears that were deaf;
| they were simply unaccustomed to the good ad-
| vice Several of the young women. with their
heads bowed sobbed aloud the evangelist
| spoke of the happier and purer surroundings
| they once knew.
| Mrs Asher. seated at the little organ, sang in
! a sweet soprano voice the first bar of THE
Kings Business"
| Small cards with the words and music mad
| been given out, and the way the audience. men
| and women joined in the chorus was highly i'm
pressive.
Then followed solo by Mrs. Asher. who zen
| dered Mothers Prayer" Whereupon there was
| a fresh outburst of tears. Nearer, My God. to
| Thee" in chorus and Sunshine for Me-, a
| hymn written in two-step time, ended the meet
ing, at which there was not gigge nor a dis
| turbing voice
| The evangelists closed their organ and went
| lowing them from the saloon.
| The clubroon was well filed. but the 'ex-
| Best Chief was not there. A large portrait Of
| Devery, however, was behind the platform, from
| which Mr.. and Mrs. Asher spoke and sang. Close
| by stood pump, the emblem of the club. made
! Of red white and blue cornfoWers.
| The service here was the same as at the Gal
| lasher saloon, and the club members seemed to
| be IN Just receptive mood the first
| audience. Hardly had the evangelists left the
| clubhouse than the steward brought out boxes
filled with little red, blue and white ivory disks,
| which were distributed among five six men
| who had seated themselves around a table.
| Mr. and Mrs Asher will continue their work
| in New-York until January /, and then go to
| Atlantic City for several weeks. They wish Il
| understood that they are not a crusade, but
| simply are making campaign against sin. They
| believe the Tenderloir offers a good field for
| their work.