Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-10
HOBO BECAME REsCUER
 OF DOWN AND OUTS
Dr. SIocum Tells the Story of the Re-
 demption of FIelFs Half Acre.

Rev. Joel B. Slocum r. D., pastor of the Central Baptist church, spoke on 7ne subject The Redemption of f1eli's Half Acre at the shop talk at the Cutlery plant Tuesday at noon, held under '. NJ C. \. auspices, Rev. Dr. SIocum spoke of his recent visit to Philadelphia where he had the opportunity of learning something of that part of the city called Helfs Half Acre, The only trouble with that name
 is that it is an erroneous impression conveyed by half acre. for there are good many acres that belong to the devil in that locality.
 It is not quite four years ago, said Rev Mir. Slocums that there came into Philadelphia one night d C7Owp-and out hobo. He rode in state on the bumpers of a freight train. He was somewhat celebrated in his way and 1 he was d past master In sin. He had
 descended into it's lowest depths and had tested of every cup of woe. He was among other things q drug hend and had long since despaired of release from the tyranny of that awful habit. Known to the police of more than a. dozen cities for his life of debauChery, it was startling thing to every body who had ever come in contact with him when he was converted No one would have dreamed that George Long could turn away from his evil life and become q disciple of Jesus. And yet that is exactly what he did, that night after his ride over the brakes of the freight train, And not only has he been straight ever since, but he has been naarveilouslv used for the help of other men who were in the same class that he had been.
 With a. capital of 2 cents he start ed .. mission in the red light section Of Philadelphia known as tHelHs Half Acre" Obtaining rent free, d house in a TOW Of twenty empty LenementS that had been vacated because the Te- cent purchaser would allow only re spectabie- people to live in them (and respectable tenants were shy of that community1, MT. Long, with three of his converted pals, began to work for other homeless men, calling their place the Inasmuch Mission" As I have said that was a little less than four years ago. Today, there stands on
 that spot a magnificent, four story, concrete structure, costing S100.000, entirely devoted to the yescue and help of down -and-out men. IL was Mrs. George Woodward the wife of the owner Of the original row of empty tenemeuts that gave, two years ago, this building. The rest of the story of how the 27 cents expanded into such a remarkable service is too long for this talk. What l want to say in clos ing is that George Long was saved for bist own sake and for the sake of others. Hundreds Of men daily come under his influence and in contact with the comforts of that great institution.
 Mir. Long took MT. Hill and myself through the entire plant and we came away greatly impressed That very night, about 800 men were being cared for. Five hundred were sleeping on the concrete floor in the large room on the lower floor. Three or four hun dred others were being accommodated in other parts of the building.
 It is q remarkable institution doing a blessed work Men are rescued physically. morally and spiritually, are sheltered, clothed, fed and assisted with employment. Every man is put on his honor and treated as ain equal There are no odious rules, or objec- tionabIe features. There is only one notice fin the building. This:
 Everything you get here is free, and comes from God If He through his great love helps you, let us re- member the other fellow who Is in the same condition we were ouce.'
 Dr. Siocum concluded his message by bringing the men to take hold of Him who is not only able to save a man from sin, but who is able and willing to use the rescued one for the reclamation of others.