The Washington herald., 1907-04-07
DOES GOOD QUIETLY
Central Union Mission Res
cues Men from Sin.
WORTHY OF BETTER SUPPORT
Institution Rec1aims Many 20 Better
Liyes-WOrIS Costs only $4,000 a
Year 10 Meet All Expenses Of SAL
aries and Wsses-Prominent Ciu-
Gems on Board of Directors.

There are number OF institutions in
this city OF great public benefit, which,
while known to exist from annual reports
in the press and other brief mention from
time to time, vet. outside of certain cir
oles, the general public is practically igno-
rant Of what IS being accomplished by
them. This, through no fault of citizens,
but simply because that to appreciate
/ fully the value Of an institution one must
come in touch with it. and catch the
spirit of IT, and this it is impossible for
the great majority to do, excepting as
certain influences bring persons into close
relations with one or other of them
one q such institutions is the Central
Union Mission. This mission is a corpo-
rate body under the direct personal man
asement of a board OF directors, com
posed OF gentlemen OF good standing in
our city and whose conduct OF the mis-
sion has the Endorsement Of ministerial
council. an advisory board, composed OF
clergymen OF leading churches. and the
properties are held jointly in the name Of
the board OF directors and board Of
trustees composed Of prominent business
men.
Design of Mission.
The design OF the mission is TO rescue
men from lives of sin and to befriend the
friendless. The mission therefore is To-
Gated in the center of the downtown dis
trict, on Louisiana avenue. near the coz
ner OF Seventh street and Pennsylvania
avenue, with branches in different parts
Of the city. The Louisiana avenue build
ing is well adapted to its work. being
six-story brick, with broad frontage on
Louisiana avenue and sheets once the
SeInmes Hotel and later occupied by the
city post~Office. but remodeled when pur-
chased by the mission, now having "a
large auditorium seating about 900 per
sons. ana dormitoTies accommodating be-
tween 200 and so men; also dining-rooms,
laundry. woodward sitting-room. library.
&c. This building is open day and night
throughout the year as place where the
homeless and friendless, the poor and
sick, the discouraged. the degraded, and
outcast can find shelter and food. SYM
pdthy and encouragement. and a helping
hand to get on their feet again, and
where those who have been drawn into
the maelstrOm of vice and dissipation are
told Of the better life. given a helping
hand, and pointed to the Higher Power
for strength to turn from sin and begin
a sober, upright life. Idleness is discOur-
aged, and for the abie-bodied work is
furnished, while the sick and infirm are
cared for according 10 their need. Daily
undenominational religious services are
held. MONDAY and evening, az which
often are found men of all persuasi0ns.
Protestant and Catholic. Jew and inhdel,
and few services are held al which some
are not influenced TO turn from lives of
sin.
Many Reformed DruukHrds.
At recent evening meeting the leader
was q convert Of the mission. commence
"a ting his change from a life Of sin. which
occurred sixteen years ago, aIson OF
clergyman. who had spent eighteen years
In gambling and drunkenness. and in the
audience were fifteen or twenty other con-
verts. now sober, industrious citizens. one
for many years drunken bartender. but
for the past five years leading Christian
life. Some men rescued by the mission
have become leaders in rescue work ia
and homes made happy On Sunday morn
ing large number Of homeless men are
gathered for a religious service. and as
no work is provided on the Sabbath dur
ing the winter when employment is diff
cult 10 find, coffee and sandwiches are
served.
As before stated, one needs 10 see this
work to realize how far-reaching # Is in
results for good. Nor is the work con-
fined to its mission halls but during the
summer orderly meetings are held on the
street corners. especially with the large
called the gospel wagon, at
which meeting many men who would not
go even to a mission hall have been at
tracted and rescued.
This work is carried on at compare
lively small expense, the larger number
engaged in il giving their services with
out charge from interest in their fellow
men. the superintendent and others giving
their entire time fbeing the only salaried
persons.
The mission. Ike ali such institutions.
looks TO those interested IN the betterment
Of their fellow-men to support the work,
and at the present time il is in special
need Of funds. and will appreciate con-
tTibutions of large or small amounts The
work calls for only about 5000 a year 10
meet all expenses of salaries and wages,
light and fuel, rents of branches, &c.
Tho following gentlemen compose its
board of directors:
Board of Directors
o. B. Brown, chairman: n A Robbins seeretarv
J. C. Pratt. treasurer ". G. Tyler Charles j. Lad
son, Clayton E Emig, ". i. Speiden, Owen T. kel-
lar, and J. s. Mccartney.
The following clergymen compose its
council:
Revs. J. q. Butler. chairman; +. d. Power "
c. Alexander, H. r. Naylor. W. F. Locke. r. H.
AIcKm, J. " Gin. NJ. Ross Fishburn Weston Bry
ner. and James II. Taylor.
The following gentlemen compose its
board Of trustees:
Lewis Z. Payson. Adds B. Browne. Daniel Fraser
Theodore a. Harding. Ivory q. Kimball John B. /
kinnear and William H. Martin
Checks may be made payable to the
Central Union Mission. or to ]. c. Pratt |
treasurer. and mailed to CO. Louisiana |
avenue northwest.
The weekly Bulletin of the mission is 1
sent TO all subscribers.