The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-02-13
NOBLE WORK OF !
The CHRISTIAN
MISSION HERE

It was a. great day yesterday for
the poor and unfortunate of the city,
both present and future. In no less
than % different churches it was City
Mission Sunday and the problem of
ministering to those out Of work, to
the drunkards, who want to reform, to
the ex-prisoners who want to redeem
the past and to all the others who suf-
fer and fall and need brotherly love
and helpfulness was carefully consid-
cred.
Men and women from the great
Christian Rescue mission in New York
and Brooklyn came up to tell Of the
wonderful transformations which they
had in some cases experienced in their
own lives and in hundreds of cases
had observed in the lives of others.
Some Of these men were ex-conVicts,
nearly all had been drunkards, one of
the men was converted opera singer,
another a former actor, who had ap-
peared in Bridgeport with Robert Man
tell.
They not only told the Christian
people Of the churches Of their be-
lief in this kind Of work and their
firm conviction that there should be
q special work OF this kind in every city,
but they also expressed their surprise
and delight to find already establish
ed here in the Bridgeport Christian
Union, what they considered one of
the best organizations of this kind in
the country, with record of work
accomplished during its first year and
Of cordial and loyal support by
churches and pastors perhaps sunsur-
passed elsewhere.
Some of the most interesting SER
vices of the day, however, were those
nf he
from the Christian Union told their
experiences or where some Of the lead
ers in this work told of the results
accomplished most of the churches
had already given literally to the work
but in several funds were subscribed.
generously at these meetings. Some
Interesting facts from the report Of
Between the last day of March 1910,
and the first day of February 1911.
the time covered in this report, GAL
beds were furnished. Of these 1902
were paid for in cash $683.46 and about
500 were credited by work done in the
building. A remarkable showing when
it is remembered that very few Of
these beds were paid for in advance
We now have accommodations for 43
men a night and often have to send
men elswhere. Most Of these are
charged only Is cents night.
During this time 521 men have been
sent to jobs about the city. some Of
them being permanent positions. In
most cases these men have gone
through the wood yard before being
sent out. It is found that the "wood
yard test'' is a good one. The man
who processes religion and will not
work for his food and shelter has fall
ed in obtaining the real article-the
religion of Jesus Christ is a religion
of work. 1t is good to report that 723
men have sawed and split the wood
you have received from the Union, re-
ceiving $247.34 The only complaint
that can be made is that often times
there have not been enough orders for
the finished product to keep the men
working.
Meals totaling 1881 have been given
at a cost of $1,256.60. OF this amount
81, 039.37 has been received back from
the men and chedit of $3.50 given for
work in the building.
The first meeting was held March
81, 1910. since which time serv YES
have been conducted every night but
4th-and every Sunday at
ternoon. Nearly every Pastor in the
city, as well as a number from out
side, with many laymen from various
churches have assisted your Superin-
tendents with these services.
The average attendance has been IS.