The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1927-12-21

st. Paul, Mimi, Dec. 21.-"Peace
on Earth, Good Will Toward Men,
When these words echoed over the
Judean hillside nearly two thousand
years ago it was intended that they
should mean all men, everywhere.
In the years that have passed, how
ever, many have come to the belief
that the message of the first Christ
mas was not meant to include the big
city; that the city was a great swirl
ing mass of human beings, too busy
to care about the troubles of the un-
fortunates; too self-centered to be
bothered caring for the down and
outer; a great social corporation with
out a heart.
In the majority of cases this -
preston is exaggerated. The city
has a heart and big one at that.
The city has its problems and it
meets them, and an example of what
is going on daily in the great metro
politan centers of the United States
towards making life of the less for
tunate more pleasant may be found
here in the recent opening of an in
stitution which in reality is a COM
munity center for the laboring class
es of the city. The New Bethel Ho-
tel, as the institution will be known,
will be operated as department of
the work of the Union Gospel Mis-
sion, work supported by the church,
es and public spirited citizens of St.
Paul.
The Bethel, which has been opened
as a hotel for laboring men of the
city who want good clean accommo-
dations at low price, is located at
Wacouta and Seventh Street. 1t is
operated entirely separate of the 9TH
er departments of the Union Gospel
Mission and it's sponsors hope that it
will merely pay operating expenses.
1t represents an investment of $780,
600. The workingman of this city
running water for so cents a night.
A good meal can be bought in the
restaurant for 25 cents. The place
is Kept spotlessly clean throughout.
The beds are all equipped with good
springs and mattresses. The rooms
are nicely furnished otherwise and
shower baths are provided. The
building is fireproof throughout and
exceptionally well ventilated. For
those who cannot afford to pay so
re Iohf fny
dations are afforded in a dormitory
where a good bed may be had for 20
cents. A good bed and clothing lock-
er can be had for 80 cents.
The Bethel has been provided for
those who can pay their way, but in
the large city there is always another
class which must be taken care of;
those fellows who are unemployed
and without money and it is for the
benefit of this class that the Mission
Relief Department is operated. This
department is handled entirely sep
arate of the hotel, and here man
without money can obtain food and
shelter. He does not have to beg for
it. He can work for it. For two
hours work a man will be given
mission money" emitting him to
three meals and a nights lodging.
The work usually comprises small
duties around the Mission building
and inasmuch as it requires only two
hours the man has the greater part of
the day to seek other employment.
Not only this, but he will also have
the help of the Mission in finding
work. This arrangement, according
to Mr.. P. MacFarlane, superintendent
of the institution, appeals to the man
in embarrassed circumstances, be-
cause it gives him a chance to earn
food and shelter and not have to beg
for it.
Not only does the institution have
at heart the interests of the laboring