New-York tribune., 1919-12-15
Former Human Wrecks Tell
How They We're SalUaged
Gather at McAuley's Mission, Which Led Them Into
Straight Path When They Were Dregs of Society;
Celebration of Forty-seventh Anniversary Begins

McAuley's Water Street Mission, the
"drydock of thousand wrecks" will
be the center of a series of testimonial
meetings all this week. With prohibi-
ton, the fight against the drug habit
and abundance of work slowly remov-
ing the reasons for it's existence, Nc
Auley's, known the world over as the
haven of down -and-outs who later
come back" started yesterday a
weeks celebration of its forty y-seventh
anniversary-per its last at it's
present location.
Testimonials by converts are not new
at McAuley's. During its lifetime, un-
der the shadow of Brooklyn Bridge and
within a stones throw of the East
River, McAuleys formula for saving
souls has virtually been: "Give 'em a
bed and cup of coffee; convert 'em
with the testimony of those who have
come back"
Furnishing testimonials is the least
of trouble to McAuley's. 1t has con-
verts in every part of the world and
every walk of life. Some of them are
in the ministry in missionary work.
superintendents, evangelists, ex-soldiers
and sailors, doctors and business men.
Scores of men will testify at McAu-
leys homecoming week" to their rise
from failure to success through con-
version at McAuley's.
One Who Game Back" Testifies
The mission house was crowded yes-
terday afternoon at the opening meet
ing. John H. Wyburn, superintendent,
who was converted at the mission
thlrty-one years ago, occupied seat
on the front row of the platform.
where he was kept busy nodding to
other converts in the audience. Some
of their stories he knew by heart
from hundred tellings. The Rev. G.
Ashton Oldham, rector of St. AIMS
Protestant Episcopal Church. Brooklyn,
was the afternoon speaker. Miss May c.
Wocott was the soloist
There were supposed to be no testi-
monlals at the first meeting, but the
temptation proved too strong. 4 tall
man, neatly dressed, rose and asked
to speak
II want to thank God for what the
mission has done for me-" he said.
Three years, two months and one day
aGo was liar, gluten and a
drrNkard. l came here selfishly. mere
y for a cup of coffee and bed. Then
| saw the light | put aside my sim
ful ways and was soon employed by one
Oh the biggest banks IN the city.
but they didn't pay me enough
money, so l quit. l asked the Lord
to help me get new job, and after
three months l did, and l have it
still"
Reunited After Nineteen Years
Nothing could stop the rush of SINH
lar testimonials that followed. One
convert was returned to his wife and
child, he said, after nineteen years
estrangement. Another man, who said
he had wasted thirty seven years of
MS life and spent much time in prison,
declared he had keeps straight after
something had hit him "just like that"
at McAuley's.
A one-tme "bouncer" for notorious
cafe rose and said For seven years
and six months now | have been
straight. Twenty-four years ago l put
on white apron, and 1 have been With
them all. My last JOB was throwing
them out, men and women both, from a
cafe. | thank God for saving me from
q drunken and sinful lfe.'
composita story Of the testimonials;
offered would show depravity over
come following recourse to McAuley's.
There was a young man who had de-
cided to lend it ALL" but was