Always Open FOR GENTLEMEN. TURKISH RUSSIAN ELECTRIC BATHS 32 and 34 Clinton St. SEPARATE BATHS FOR LADIES, 9 A. M. to 9 P. M. STANDARD DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. " Ii should be the Pride of Literary America, as it is the Admiration of Literarv England " — SI. James' Budget. London, July 27, 1895. 301,865 Vocabulary Terms. 125,000 Synonyms and Antonyms 47,468 Entries in the Appendix. 45,000 Illustrative Quotations. 5,000 Illustrations. 247 Editors and Specialists, $960,000 Expended in its Production. Oxford University, Eng., Prof. A. H. Sayce, the eminent philologist, says : " The Standard Dictionary is certain to supercede all other dictionaries of the English language. " Yale University, Prof. E. J. Phelps, Ex=minister to Great Britain, says : k- For general and practical purposes it is the best American dictionary now available." New York Herald says: "The Standard Dictionary is a triumph in the art of publication. It is admirably printed from every point of view. It is the most satisfactory and the most complete dictionary yet. The Saturday Review, London, Says: '"In substantial merit we think the Standard Dictionary decidedly preferable to the much advertised Century." In two volumes or one volume : Prices from $12 to $22 On Jan. 1, 1896, prices will be advanced about one=third. Subscribe Now. Sold by Subscription. Intelligent Solicitors wanted. Address : THE FUNK & WAGNALLS CO., Publishers, New York. Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library Gift of Seymour B. Durst Old York Library Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/cityofendeavorreOOdavi THE fitly (rf EimdlesiTOiFo A Religious Novel devoted to the interests of Good Citizenship in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y. by- HAROLD McGILL DAVIS Secretary of the Good Citizenship Committee of the Brooklyn . . . Christian Endeavor Union. BROOKLYN, N. Y. Collins & Day, Printers, 138 Livingston Street. 1895. ot+stre. Copyright 1895, by Harold McGiix Dav: ****** We cannot always tell the way Will come the thing for which we pray; Be not dismayed, thd 1 He delay , Have faith in God. * •=•:- * * * * PREFACE. No doubt many people will consider it an un- reasonable task to attempt to do away all together with the saloon and some other evils, and there aie many more who have no desire to do away with them. To them I would say in the words of Peter, that this book is written to " stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance, that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: knowing this first that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, < where is the promise of his coming? for since the father fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.' " For this they are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: where- by the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ig- norant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as VI THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. " But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night ; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing, then, that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of per- sons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, belov- ed, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless. And account that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation ; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you ; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things ; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruc- tion. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away PREFACE. VII with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace and in the know- ledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever." No part of this book has been undertaken with- out first committing it in prayer to God, and if one sinner is converted, or one Christian aroused to more active service, the book will not have been written in vain ; but I expect greater results than that for the Master. I hope that some of the sug- gestions herein may be put into practice and there- by secure for our city better government, cleaner and healthier homes for the masses, less production of crime and a larger amount of righteousness in the lives of the citizens. I cannot understand how a man, and especially a follower of Jesus Christ, can countenance the drinking of liquor when he knows that liquor drinking is responsible for 80 per cent, of the crimes in this country. What a huge stum- bling block he is placing before the weaker brothers — " one of the least of these." " Woe unto the world because of offenses ! for it must needs be that offenses come 1 but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh !" However, I do not wish to make the preface longer than the book itself, so will re- fer you to the following pages hoping that you may find in them much of interest and spiritual help. Harold McGill Davis. brooklyn, n. y. Oct. 1st, 1895. THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. CHAPTER I. THE PREPARATION. The October sun was beginning to dispel the morning mists and the city was commencing its usual activity, when those who are accustomed to being up early were surprised to see little groups of gayly dressed young ladies and equally well dressed young men making their way toward Plymouth Church. They came from all directions. The work- ing man with his dinner pail in the street car looked up in surprise at the unusual sight ; the grocery man, opening his store, paused and wondered as the young people passed ; the ice man thawed out and suggested to the milk dealer that if he would open his cans the cream would probably rise on the milk in astonishment, and the policeman on his beat awoke to the fact that something unusual was go. ing on. Many of the young people wore some kind of badges and carried Bibles and hymn books. "Where are all these people going?" a store- keeper asked a young man as he was passing. 2 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. " To Plymouth Church," was the reply. "What is the occasion ? " was the next question. "The Christian Endeavorers are holding a sunrise prayer meeting as a preparation for their conven- tion which is to be held here to-morrow and next day." " Isn't this rather unusual ? " he asked. " O, no," replied the Endeavorer, "in" convention seasons the sunrise prayer meeting is a customary service. We shall be glad to have you join us if you can." "Much obliged, young fellow, but I aint got no time on week days for prayer meetings ; got to 'tend store." The storekeeper watched the crowds go by and was evidently impressed with the occasion. " Them there young people are about the best lot I've seen in a long time," he said to himself ; IVe seen crowds go by here before, see 'em every day but they aint like this 'un. Christian Endeavorers are they? Well they're the brightest lot o' Christ- ians I ever see. And they wanted me to come to their meeting, too, well, well. Guess wife would think I was clean gone crazy if I attended prayer meeting, and before breakfast, too. I don't belong to that crowd." A moment later he called • " Hey Peter, tell Jerry to fill those orders right away and take them goods to Mrs. Jenkins ; she wants 'em for breakfast, and you keep an eye on the door here THE PREPARATION. 3 — I'm going around the corner a minute." And before he could realize it he had joined the proces- sion and was on his way to the meeting. The church was nearly full some minutes before the service began and that fact alone was inspiring. When the leader arose and gave out the opening hymn, the Endeavorers stood up and sang with a vim that fairly shook the walls. A few moments of silent prayer, another song and the leader an- nounced his text. " Our theme this morning," he said, "is 'Prepara- tion, ' and the reference is found in Proverbs 1 6: 1 — 'The preparations of the heart in man, and the ans- wer of the tongue, is from the Lord.' That, my friends, is why we have assembled here on this beautiful morning. We wish to take counsel with God in preparing our hearts and tongues for what we hope will be the greatest convention this city has ever seen. We should prepare our hearts to receive the blessings in store for us, and we should prepare our tongues to share those blessings with others. Prayer is the proper means of preparation. We have many excellent examples of that. When Nehemiah undertook a great work for the Lord he began with prayer ; when Daniel was called upon to reveal the King's dreams, he prepared himself for the task with prayer ; when Elias wanted a drought, he prayed and ' it rained not for the space of three years and six months,' and James says, 'if any man 4 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. lack wisdom,' that is needs preparation, 'let him ask of God, who giveth liberally.' Jesus says : 'Ask and ye shall receive.' So much for the method. We know how now to prepare, but for what are we making preparation ? John told the people in his day to 1 Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight ; ' isn't he telling us to do the same? Yes, we believe Christian Endeavor means prepar- ing the way for the Lord to enter straight into the heart of every one. Are you and I making His paths straight ? Does your life, and mine, open to the Lord the heart of any sinner? Is the common drunkard in the street brought any nearer to God by anything which you or I have done, or do we cut our paths away from him and leave him to die in the wilderness of sin ? We must not forget to make the paths of the Lord straight, and if we find a drunkard, or other unfortunate being in our path, we must not go around him, but rather deal with him accordingly. The Lord has use for him, also. You know an engineer in building a railroad digs out here and fills up there and by using material which he finds along his course makes his roadway level. Sometimes he finds soft earth and sometimes hard rock, but he makes use of both. So, we, in building a highway for our God, will meet all sorts and conditions of men, and we must be prepared to use such material. There is another important point in this command, and I wish to lay special THE PREPARATION. 5 emphasis on the word ' straight.' It says ' Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight." " We hear a great deal to-day about the the build- ing of locomotives to be run by electricity, and the prospect of travelling at the rate of 200 miles an hour. Now, common sense teaches us that no train can run 200 miles an hour on our present tracks which are so full of curves, for the first curve would send the cars off at a tangent, like the small boy who plays 'crack-the-whip.' Before we travel much faster than our present express trains can carry us, the tracks must be made straight. The reason the Kingdom of God has made such slow progress on this earth is because we have not made his paths straight. Let us, as Christian Endeavorers, make straight the highway of our God, and we shall see His Kingdom spreading over the earth with the velocity of lightning. Just think of the glorious possibilities ! 41,000 societies of Christian Endeavor on this earth. Grand old earth ! 2,500,000 En- deavorers stationed in various parts of the world. Young, strong and loyal Endeavorers. The number gaining at the rate of 1200 members for every day in the year. Who wouldn't want to live in such times as these ! Wonderful are our opportunities ! Let us then make straight our paths and the electricity of Divine Love shall send the Gospel Train flying to the darkest parts of Africa and every other country. Prepare for the glorious dawn of 6 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. the beautiful day, when cometh the Son of Right- eousness. " There is one other preparation of which I will speak before leaving the meeting in your hands. The Lord sent through Amos this message to the children of Israel : ' Prepare to meet thy God.' Sodom and Gomorrah had been destroyed because of their wickedness, but Israel had been, as it were, afire-brand plucked out of the burning; yet they had not returned unto the Lord, and now they must prepare to meet their God. So must we. We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. There is work for us to do right here. This city needs renovating. Go down to Coney Island and walk through the Bowery, and the blasphemy you hear and the evil you see, you might expect to find in Sodom and Gomorrah, but not in the City of Churches. Are we prepared to meet our God ? We elect men to rule over us who dishonor the Sabbath. Are we prepared to meet our God? The Lord has given us talents and he expects us to use them to his advantage. Let us not meet our God, then, with empty hands, or with our talent wrapped in a napkin. " Friends, to-morrow we meet in convention. We have prayed and worked for this convention, believ- ing it would result in an increase of spiritual power and be a benefit to the city in awakening the Chris- tian element to new life and inducing many sinners THE PREPARATION. 7 to give themselves to the Lord. I believe that this will be an important week in the history of this city. May God grant us the power to understand and carry out His plans. Will some one lead us in prayer ? " The remaining minutes were quickly filled by the young people, who took part with unusual earnest- ness, and the meeting was over only too quickly. A few who were not obliged to hurry off to business or other engagements, remained to talk over the work and exchange greetings. The storekeeper had had his hand shaken so often that it pumped the tears to his eyes. " Well, it does beat all," he said to himself as he went back to the store. " Why, I didn't know a blessed one of them, and yet them fellers grasped my hand as though I was their long lost brother." Then, after thinking a moment, he added, " Well, may be I am. I was reading the other day some- thing about the brotherhood of man, and I am lost when I try to follow them fellers' ideas. O, well, business is business, and I mustn't fool away any more time." But the storekeeper was a different man that day, and seemed to be absorbed in thought. His wife noticed the absent minded way he acted and feared something was wrong at the store. Finally, when the evening meal was over and they were alone, she could stand it no longer and said : 8 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. " What is the matter, Carl, you don't seem like yourself to-day? " He looked up and with a faint attempt to smile, said : " Well, I don't think I am myself. I've had a queer day. I s'pose you'll think me crazy when I tell you I went to prayer-meeting this morning." She looked at him in astonishment, but before she could say anything he continued : " Yes, I went with them Christian Endeavorers to their — their sunrise prayer meeting, I believe they call it." Then he told her all about the meeting and the warm welcome he had received, and added, " But I wasn't going to say anything about it just yet, for I thought you would think me funny." It was a minute or two before she spoke. " It does seem funny that you should go to prayer- meeting, but it is not the kind of funny to laugh at. I thought, while you were talking, of the days when I went regularly to prayer-meeting, and how you sometimes went with me. That was when we were first married, but now — well, we are both different now. That was a good many years ago," she added, as she stroked his hair. " Yes, but you don't seem much older," he play- fully replied. Then, more seriously, he said, " Don't you want to attend one of them meetings to-mor- row ? They've got some big speakers on the pro- gramme. I'll try and get off a little while in the afternoon and go with you. But, come to think of THE PREPARATION. 9 it, I ain't got no badges, and I heard 'em say this morning that no one could get in that didn't have a badge. I'll see if I can't catch hold of some of them fellers I saw this morning, and maybe they will lend me two.'* For a reply his wife kissed him and said, " I feel tired to-night, dear, and I think I will go to my room. You needn't come now if you don't want to." After she had gone, the storekeeper sat still and thought of the strange things that had happened. His wife seemed unusually affectionate, and then, too, she hadn't ridiculed him for going to prayer- meeting, as he had expected. It was evident that she had been somewhat affected by it. " Well," he thought, " Maria has always been a good wife to me, and I suppose I ought to have been different ; but then I never was much of a church goer, myself, and I suppose I'm to blame for getting her out of the church going habit. Maybe I can get her back to it again. Anyway, I'll try." [O THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. CHAPTER II. THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. A full hour before the service began the Academy of Music was crowded with Endeavorers. Many were obliged to go to the Church of the Pilgrims, where an overflow meeting was held, and soon that church was filled also. The day had begun with another helpful sunrise meeting, and before nine o'clock the cars were crowded with Endeavorers, singing their favorite convention hymns. Sing? Why, the city was full of song. Delegations came from all directions, singing. Everybody sang. Merchants came to their store doors as a delegation passed, and would join in with the others if they knew the tune. Women and children came to the windows and kept time with the music. Banners were flying and enthusiasm reigned. It was a day to mark the beginning of a new era in the history of Brooklyn, once the City of Churches. Among the first to arrive at the Academy was the store-keeper, Carl Berg. He scanned every face hoping by some good fortune to see the Endeavl orer who had invited him to the meeting the day before. It was with a feeling of hope and fear that THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. he waited. Once he asked a delegate where he could get some badges, but when told he would have to register he concluded he would wait a little longer, as he did not know exactly what that meant. He began to grow anxious as the time passed. He saw the hall rilling up rapidly, and even if he got the badges there might not be room inside. At last his face brightened up, and he made a rush through the crowd, to where his friend was. The Endeavorer at first did not recognize him, owing to the many things requiring his attention ; but in a moment he recalled the circumstances, and gladly gave Carl the full directions for obtaining his badges. " Lend you two ! " said the Endeavorer. " No ; we will give you two badges and two programmes as soon as you register for yourself and wife." There was no time to be lost, and Carl was soon registered and off to get his wife to come to the meeting. Before he went, however, he turned to a delegate near him and asked : " Excuse me, but do you know who that young man is, standing over there ? " pointing in the direc- tion of his Endeavor friend. "Certainly," was the reply, "that is Mr. Duncan, the President of the Brooklyn Union." " Thank you," said Carl, and off he rushed. In a very short time Carl and his wife were at. tempting to get into the Academy of Music, but the crowd was so great that the policeman kept them 12 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. away from the door. They had just come by the Church of the Pilgrims, where they found it so full that people were standing in the vestibule. Dis- couragement was depicted in every line of Carl's face as the policeman told him that no more could enter the Academy. It was against the rules of the Fire Department. For a moment he could not trust his voice, but directly he braced up for his wife's sake, and said : " Well, Maria, I guess we ain't in it. Might as well go home now and try it again this afternoon." Just then Mr. Duncan came hurriedly past the door, and Carl grabbed him. "See here, Mr. Duncan," he said, " you see me and my wife are here, but we can't get in." "Well, I'm really very sorry," said Duncan, " but I do not see how I can help you, under the circum- stances. The place will only hold so many people, and they all seem to be in there." "You see," said Carl hesitatingly, " you see, me and my wife — well, we've kind of gotten out of the habit of going to church, and we wanted to attend some of these meetings and — well, maybe we might get into the habit of going to church again." Duncan thought for a moment and then said : " I'm obliged to preside over the meeting at the Church, and you may take my ticket which will ad- mit you and your wife to seats on the platform. Present the ticket at the stage door yonder." THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. 15 Carl was profuse in his thanks, but Duncan hur- ried off, hoping that the favor would be blessed. Carl and his wife were given seats on the stage, where they had a good view of the audience. It was a sight he never forgot. The Academy was packed to its utmost limit. It lacked a few minutes of being time to open the service when the presiding officer arose and said : " Everybody will find it much pleasanter if the ladies will be kind enough to remove their hats." In an instant every hat was off and Maria, astonished at the unusual sight took hers off and whispered to Carl : " Well, did you ever? " At that moment someone in the top gallery began singing in a good strong voice, " Scatter Sunshine," and it was taken up in every part of the house with telling effect. The leader on the stage jumped up and kept time. Then he asked that only the men sing the second verse and all join in the chorus. Then the third verse was sung by the ladies and everyone sang the chorus. Such singing was a reve- lation to Carl and his wife, and they seemed spell- bound. The song was new to them. In fact, everything was new to them. When the speaker, who was to deliver the convention sermon, was in- troduced, he was greeted with the Chautaugua sa- lute, and Carl and Maria were more amazed than ever. So sudden, so silent, so impressive was that sea of white handkerchiefs. THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. When the greeting was over the speaker opened the Bible to the twenty-first chapter of Revelation and said : "Mr. President and fellow-Endeavorers : I bring you a message from God to-day, a vision of a new city, the City of Endeavor, and I will read these verses from John: 1 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her hus- band. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me Write : for these words are true and faithful.' " When it was announced at the Boston conven- tion that there were 56,000 delegates registered, I thought what a magnificent city those delegates would make. I thought of it then and I have been thinking of it ever since. A city of 56,000 earnest, loyal Christian Endeavorers. Why, what a beauti- ful place it would be! Suppose, instead of going to Boston, they had selected some nice location here on Long Island, and had built them a city. It THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. 15 would be like the vision of John when he saw the holy city coming down from Heaven. It would be a veritable new Jerusalem. There would be no saloons in it ; there would be no houses of ill-fame ; there would be no thieves ; no gambling dens, no disorder of any kind. There would be no need of police, no need of court houses, jails or reforma- tories. Every one's property would be safe and each would love his neighbor as himself. There would be no kind of business carried on except that which is honorable and pleasing to the Lord. The streets would be broad and clean, the houses beauti- ful, and the grounds well kept. The city would be full of music, for Endeavorers love to sing, and sing well. There would be one fine church for each de- nomination, and there would be no church quarrels, but everything lovely and full of devotion and praise, and each denomination would feel friendly towards the other. O, I long to see such a city. I was going to call it a City of Endeavor, when it oc- curred to me that such a city would need no en- deavor, since it had already attained. Endeavor, you know, means to strive after, and so our City of Endeavor must be some city which is striving after the requirements of the holy city. It is not proba- ble that the Endeavorers wpuld go off by them- selves and build a city ; it isn't desirable or best that they should, for we must try, or endeavor, to con- quer the evil about us and save the lost — not run 16 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. from them. And so I shall picture to you a City of Endeavor in its true sense. It, too, is located on Long Island, and its name is — Brooklyn. (Ap- plause.) You applaud at the suggestion of Brook- lyn being the City of Endeavor. I like your patriot- ism, but the angels in heaven will applaud when you have accomplished your endeavor, and then you will hear the king say, < Well done, good and faithful servants; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' And O, what a joy it will be to live in Brooklyn. (Great applause.) " My young Endeavorers, you have a task before you which is well nigh impossible; but since with God all things are possible, you can accomplish this work if you rely upon His strength. His arm is not shortened that it cannot save. 'Yet now be strong, O Jerubbabel, saith the Lord ; and be strong O Joshua, son of Josedeck, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work, for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts.' There is your command, Endeavorers; now to the work. Let me outline it for you : -There are in this city of Brooklyn about 320 Protestant churches and 5,000 saloons— about six- teen to one in favor of the saloons. The population of the city is 1,000,000, and the membership of the churches is a little over 100,000. The amount of money raised by the churches for Missions is $330,000, and the total amount raised for current THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. 17 expenses and all other purposes during last year was $2,000,000, while the amount spent in the saloons during the same period was approximately $15,000,000; and all the more shameful is it when we are told by the liquor-dealers that one-third of that amount was taken in on Sunday and during the time when the law requires the saloons to be closed. / One saloon keeper said, if the saloons were closed on Sundays, that many saloon keepers would have j to go out of business. God hasten the day, then, when the law shall be enforced. Fifty-eight per cent, of all arrests is for intoxication, and eighty per cent, of all arrests is indirectly due to the drink habit — or to the saloon. You have in this city at least one judge in the police courts who owns a saloon, and after making a profit on the sale of- liquor to make men drunk, he receives a salary of $5,000 to send the men to the lockup. It is a profit- able business — for the judge. I have heard, how- ever, that he is going to resign from the bench and open a school for prize-fighting in the next county. It will be a good riddance to the bench when he goes. You will also have to contend with the daily papers, which will be against any such movement as proposed for the City of Endeavor. The leading paper is evidently subsidized by the liquor-dealers, for, while admitting the law against Sunday opening of saloons, it said it would not ask the Mayor to en- force it, as he was pledged to the saloon-keepers. [8 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR, It begins to look as though everybody in authority belonged to the saloon. The police commissioner will not enforce the law because he would lose 30,000 votes if he did. The Mayor will not enforce the law because he pledged himself not to. The police- men will not enforce the law because they are not instructed, to by their superiors ; and while in New York City the saloons are closed on Sunday, in Brooklyn they are open, and men, women and chil- dren go in and buy all the soul-damning fluid they desire. Is this the City of Churches, or is it the City of Saloons? Was David B. Hill right when he said he would rather have the saloons than the churches on his side? Was David, the Psalmist, wrong when he said, ' He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision?' No, Endeavorers, 'God is not mocked, for whatso- ever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.' If a man will sow corruption, he shall reap damnation; for nothing that is corrupt can enter the Holy City. " But there is another difficulty which faces you, and that is the objection which some pastors have against the Christian Endeavor Society. Such min- isters are very few, but there are some left yet in Brooklyn. They don't believe in the junior society, or training ' up a child in the way he should go ; ' they don't believe in making pledges, yet go right on performing the marriage vows every time they get a chance ; they don't believe in interdenomina- THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. 1 9 i tional fellowship, or that 'one is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren ; ' and they don't be- lieve in the consecration feature, or being 'trans- formed by the renewing of your mind.' Only have patience and these pastors will be ready to swing into line when they see the glorious progress of God's army of young and devout Endeavorers in their enthusiastic march to the holy city. I believe in the enthusiasm of the Endeavorers. Enthusiasm is a grand thing. Enthusiasm is intense feeling as especially exhibited in ardent zeal for a principle or cause. Give me the church or christian who is en- thusiastic, and I will give you grand results for the Master. Do you know what are the antonyms of enthusiasm? Listen and I will tell you. They are: calculation, calmness, caution, coldness, deadness, dulness, indifference, policy, prudence, timidity and wariness. Of what use, then,. is a church or christian who is not enthusiastic? O, if the Christian people would wake up to their possibilities, how different the world would be ! How rapidly would the cause of Christ advance ! I was present at the great power house at Niagara Falls, last June, when the electri- cal engineers were there to witness the test of the big electric generator, which was expected to pro- duce 5,000 horse power. Their enthusiasm was great when they saw the indicator register above the 5,000 mark. Engineers grow enthusiastic over horse power, or the force which lifts 33,000 pounds 20 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. one foot high in a minute. You and I are engineers in the spiritual world, and we ought to rejoice in man power, or the divine love exerted through man, which lifts the lowest human being into the realm of eternal day. Do you know that the society of Christian Endeavor is a mighty generator, producing at present 2,500,000 man power, with more to be added? Do you know the amount of power which you alone exert? Do you know how much the pro- gress of our cause depends upon the current which you turn on or off? Do you know what one young man can do towards making this a Holy City ? " In the royal court of Persia the king's cup bearer was a young man named Nehemiah. This young fellow was a captive, but a favorite of the king. He was patriotic and loved his countrymen, and when he heard of their unfortunate condition he obtained permission from the king to go and assist them. He left his royal home and pleasant service to per- form a more important duty and difficult task. Sur_ rounded by enemies, determined and exceedingly treacherous, he persevered until his work was ac- complished, and in fifty-two days the walls of Jeru- salem were rebuilt. Just see the character of the young man ! When the enemies came he armed his men, and with a trowel in one hand and a weapon by his side, each man labored at his work. When the enemy tried to trap him he replied, ' I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down ; why THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. 21 should the work cease whilst I leave it and come down to you ? ' My Christian friends, you and I are doing a great work for the Lord ; why should the work cease while we go down to the enemy ? Let us not comprise with Satan. And when Nehemiah had re-established the laws and people violated the Sab- bath, he said, 'Why lodge ye about the wall? If you do so again I will lay hands on you.' From that time forth they came no more on the Sabbath. He be- lieved in the enforcement of laws and he saw that they were enforced. Is there a Nehemiah in Brook- lyn, who will come to the assistance of his brethren and build up the walls of the City of Endeavor? "The Israelites were greatly impoverished at one time by the Midianites who encamped against them. The Israelites were in the mountains dwelling in caves and dens, and the Midianites came up in such numbers that they were like grasshoppers for multi- tude. The Lord, however, selected Gideon, a young man threshing wheat, to deliver his people from the Midianites, and told him to choose his warriors. Gideon had 32,000 men to overthrow 135,000 Midi- anites. The Lord told Gideon his army was too large, and he gave them a test which sent to the rear 22,000 men. Still 10,000 were too many for Gideon and another test left him with only 300 men who were sufficiently brave and capable. Only the truest and most faithful followers would the Lord use in this great battle. Think of Gideon with 300 22 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. men to meet the kings of Midian and 135,000 soldiers. The situation was about as discouraging as it is in Brooklyn. 4 Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.' So Gideon's little band without any weapons except a few pieces of crockery, some horns and lanterns went forth to battle. But each man stood the test and knew what to do and when to do it, and at the proper moment they gave a shout, they blew the horns, smashed the pitchers and swung the lanterns; the Midianites became panic-stricken and fought each other until 120,000 of them had been killed and the others put to flight. Then Gideon pursued and captured the kings of Midian. So the Lord fought for Gideon : so the Lord will fight for you. Is there a Gideon here who will go forth and put to flight the Brooklyn Midianites? " We are living in a glorious age and shall soon witness the Lord of hosts vanquish the powers of evil. The Lord has been testing his warriors and we are on the eve of a mighty battle. Soon the shout will be heard from the hill side, the pitchers will be broken, the trumpets sounded and the gos- pel light swung to and fro until the followers of darkness shall in their own confusion be put to death. ' Awake, thou that sleepest ! ' ' for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.' ' Arise, shine; for thy light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee ! ' ' And the seventh THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. 23 angle sounded ; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, ' The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.' God grant that the time may soon come when every city in our broad and beautiful land shall become not only a city of endeavor but a holy city — a new Jerusalem." 2 4 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. CHAPTER III. Gideon's band. The convention was over and the city had re- sumed its usual aspect. People were getting back to their accustomed places, yet discussing on every hand the events that had just transpired. The one topic of conversation, for the time being, at least, was the Christian Endeavor Convention. The Good Citizenship Committee had arranged with the great temperance orator, John G. Woolley, to give a series of lectures to follow right after the convention. This kept the public aroused, and the politicians were wondering what would be the effect of all this on the approaching elections. To them, the Christian Endeavor movement was an unknown quantity. Here was a factor with which they had never before had to deal. The enthusiasm of the Endeavorers was business-like. Would they attempt to carry out any of the suggestions made at the convention? The suggestion which seemed to be uppermost in the mind of the public was that made by the preacher of the convention sermon when he called Brooklyn the City of Endeavor. Would the Endeavorers at- tempt to revolutionize Brooklyn? Most people GIDEON'S BAND. 25 laughed and shook their heads at the idea. They thought the Endeavorers would have a sweet time if they undertook that. Might as well try to make the sun shine at night, they said. Others did not care to express an opinion, while a few hoped that it might be accomplished. The convention sermon had made a deep impres- sion on many of the audience, and had resulted in arousing some of the Endeavorers to action. At the evening session the presiding officer announced that certain ones had resolved to do what they could toward the reclaiming of Brooklyn as the City of Churches — or rather to make it a city of Endeavor, and asked all the young men of Brooklyn, who would be willing to join Gideon's Band, to write their names and addresses on slips of paper, which would be collected by the ushers. Nearly 400 names were thus obtained, and placed in the hands of Albert H. Harrington, who had requested the an- nouncement made. Harrington was a prominent worker in the Brooklyn C. E. Union, and was an aggressive and determined, yet safe leader. After hearing the sermon and its suggestions, he con- sidered the matter and then decided to try it. As soon after the convention as possible, he obtained the use of a church and called a meeting of the men whose names he had received. He had a notice of the meeting published in all the Brooklyn daily papers, inviting all men who were interested in the 26 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. work to attend. There were about 300 present- He had an orchestra which enlivened the meeting with Christian Endeavor and patriotic music. " Gentlemen," said Harrington, after he had been elected chairman of the meeting, " acting upon the suggestions made in the convention sermon, and be- lieving it possible to make this city a City of En- deavor, I have called this meeting to-night to get your opinions upon the subject. You all have, prob- ably, either heard the sermon or read it in the papers, and so are familiar with its nature. That the task is a difficult one, there is no doubt ; but I am confident that with a band of men as well dis- ciplined and faithful as Gideon's company, we can overthrow the evil of this city until it shall be a holy city. I believe the evil places in this city are like the diseased parts of our bodies, and can be cured by using the proper remedies. But somebody must apply the remedy. A physician does not stay with the patient, but employs a trained nurse to stay and see that his instructions are followed and the reme- dies given. Jesus Christ is the Great Physician, and you and I are the skilled nurses, left here to see that His orders are obeyed. Shall we be faithful? " It is one thing to have a theory, but it is often quite another thing to put that theory into success- ful practice. The practical plan in which I ask your co-operation is, briefly, as follows : "The members of this band must be fully conse- GIDEON'S BAND. 27 crated to the work, as only the strong-hearted and determined ones will accomplish it. They should be united as one man in the object to be obtained and the methods used. They should issue, or have issued, a daily paper, which will fully represent their work ; as the daily papers now published are, as every one knows, published merely for dollars and cents, and will favor the saloon, or any element which pays best. The power of the press is undis- puted, and we should have an organ of our own with which to meet the organs of the enemy. I think a daily paper could be published which would contain all the news in a decent manner — and that which wasn't decent should be left out — and yet be an ex- ponent of Christian Endeavor. It might not be a financial success right away, but it would win in the end. Such a paper, I believe, is a necessity. Then, the Christians of all denominations, while not relin- quishing any part of their own faith, should unite in this one common aim to destroy the evil in our midst. Surely, they ought to agree on such a theme. Unity of action is desired on the part of the churches, and it can be accomplished without the breaking down of denominations. With the churches united and a daily paper to reach the masses, the next effort should be to have the exist- ing laws enforced. We should then try to have passed such laws as will accord with our belief and further our cause. You must remember that during 28 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. all this time we are educating through the press and from the pulpit, the masses of people, and each step we take is made more certain by the addition of new converts. I, for one, would like to see this city free from saloons and slums, from every form of vice. If the constant dropping of water will wear away the hardest stone, then I believe the constant hammering of our endeavor will drive away the strongest vice. It cannot be done in one year, but who will say that when the twentieth century comes it shall not find our city a holy city? Gentlemen, what say you ?" There was a moment's pause and then Mr. Dun- can, the president of the union arose. " Mr. Chairman and gentlemen," he said. " I am heartily in favor of any scheme whereby we can im- prove our condition. It certainly needs improving. The entrances to this city, whether you come by the bridge or by the ferries, are lined with saloons and tenement houses of a cheap order. Cheap tene- ments and saloons go together. Strangers entering the so-called City of Churches receive anything but pleasant impressions. This should not be. The plan proposed to-night is a novel and somewhat startling one, and while it is a good one, I confess I do not quite see how we are going to carry it out. No doubt our leader has ideas on the subject which will develope as we advance, and as I believe him to be capable in the work he undertakes, I will gladly GIDEON'S BAND. 29 join his band and work with all my heart for the City of Endeavor. I have here a note received to-day which I will read as it shows some effect of the convention upon the public: Dear Sir: lean, not tell you how much me and my wife are indebted to you for inviting us to the C. E. convention. We haven't bin going to church in a good many years, and I aint ever gone much anyway, but Maria she used to, and now since we have bin to the conven- tion we are going to church regularly. We kinder feel as if we would like to do something to help along the City of Endeavor, that the preacher told about, but as we are getting along in years we can't do much so I enclose a check for $100 and when you want more come and see me. Its to use for Gideon's band. I wish you could get my two boys interested in Christian Endeavor. They are pretty wild and fond of drink. Maybe you wont mind praying for them. Yours respectfully, Carl Berg. It looks to me, Mr. Chairman, as though we were starting out under very auspicious circumstances. But, whatever we do, I hope that all present will remember to pray for these two young men whose parents have already expressed a change of heart." " I think," said the chairman, " as this request just made is right in the line of our work, that we might spend a few minutes in prayer for these young men. Will some one lead us ? " After several earnest prayers in behalf of the 3Q THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. young men, the discussion of the evening was re sumed. Several young men spoke in favor of it and agreed to consecrate themselves to the work. " Mr. Chairman," said a young man in the back part of the room, " aren't we taking up the work which belongs to the Christian Endeavor Union? It seems to me that it is useless to multiply our organizations and while the Union is doing so nicely why should we interfere? I think the object in view is a good one and one we should strive after, but I think discretion the better part of valor and we ought to proceed slowly." " As the president of the Union is with us," said Harrington, " I will ask him to give us his views on that matter." Mr. Duncan being appealed to replied as he arose and faced the questioner : " It is generally under- stood that the local unions are organized for the pur- pose of extending inter-denominational fellowship rather than of taking up any special line of aggres- sive work. The C. E. societies in Brooklyn repre- sent twelve or more denominations, and as each society is expected to be loyal to its own denomina- tion and church, united work is necessarily limited As a union we may and ought to do all we can to ex- tend the organization by forming new societies, by increasing the spirit of fellowship and by originating and discussing such plans of work as may be con- sistent with our principles. I do not believe, how- GIDEON S BAND. 31 ever, that the scheme proposed to-night can be carried out so well by the union as by Gideon's band, and I believe the band will be an aid rather than a detriment to the union." " I think," said the chairman, " that our proposed band will be freer to work than the union, for we shall be banded not as societies, or churches, or denominations, but as individual citizens." Another gentleman arose and addressed the chairman. "I think," said he, "that the game is good, but the ammunition is scarce I would be willing to join the band if I thought it would do any good. But these evils have been in existence from time immemorial and I believe they always will exist. If we do our duty and live good lives we will have done all that is required of us." " Mr. Chairman," exclaimed several young men, jumping to their feet at the same time. The chair- man recognized the nearest one, who said : "As Christians we are told to preach the gospel to every creature, and Jesus said to his disciples: 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and or- dained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain/ And God said unto the church of the Laodiceans : 'So then, be- cause thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.' Now, then, it seems to me that as co-laborers with Christ, who 32 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. gave His life for us, we ought to be willing to give at least a portion of our time for the salvation of others. I move you, sir, that Gideon's band be or- ganized at once." "I second that motion," came from different parts of the room. The motion being put was apparently unanimously carried. "Gentlemen," said Harrington, "before we pro- ceed with the organization I wish to say a few words. When the children of Israel were in the wil- derness God commanded Moses to send twelve men, one for each tribe, into Canaan, the promised land, for the purpose of searching the country. Ten of these men brought back unfavorable reports, and said that the country was inhabited by giants,' and that it would be impossible to obtain possession of the land which God had promised them. These evil Reports caused the multitude to murmur against God *or bringing them out into the wilderness to die God punished them by making them all remain in the wilderness forty years, and the ten unworthy spies and all who murmured with them, were never allowed to enter Canaan. The other two spies, Caleb and Joshua, gave a favorable report and said : 1 Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it.' These two men were re- warded by being allowed to enter the promised land and to enjoy its advantages. I would call your attention to the fact that the ten spies were just as GIDEON'S BAND. 33 much the children of Israel — God's chosen people — as the two faithful ones ; and there are two classes of church members to-day, those who give unfavor- able reports and those who are true and faithful. The ten said : ' There are giants there.' The two said: 'We are well able to overcome them.' Friends, you and I are called to possess this city for righteousness. As there were giants in those days, so there are giants now. The saloon power is a mighty giant, but let us say, as did Caleb, ' We are well able to overcome it.' This was once the City of Churches ; we are now called to reclaim it. Let us, then, go up at once, for we are well able to pos- sess it. We will now proceed to call the roll, and those who are willing to join our band will please respond by saying 'yes.' After the roll has been called, any whose names have been omitted may come forward and join." At this juncture quite a number went out. The roll call completed showed 225 young men who were willing to undertake the great task. They pro- ceeded at once with the preliminary work of the or. ganization, and unanimously chose Mr. Harrington as their lender. " Gideon Number 2," they laugh, ingly called him. " In accepting the leadership/' Harrington said, " I feel that I have no power of my own, but that whatever is done is done by the power of God, who is the source of all power. It is His work we are to 34 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. do ; let us, then, take counsel of Him in all our plans. It is not necessary that we should bother about a constitution and by-laws, and all those things. A simple verse will bind us together, and unless some one has something better to offer, I suggest that we call ourselves Gideon's Band, and take for our motto, or bond of unity, the words of Caleb : ' Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it.' It is rather late now. We will meet again one week from to-night and plan our campaign. My intention is to divide this band into three divisions, with a leader for each. One di- vision is to take charge of the work of establishing a daily newspaper for our cause ; the second division will undertake to bring the pastors into hearty sym- pathy with our purpose, and the other division will endeavor to have the existing laws enforced. As soon as one division succeeds in accomplishing its part, a new line of work will be given it. I believe that there will be a general revival in the churches this winter, because of the influence exerted by our grand convention just closed. Such a revival would greatly help along the City of Endeavor. ' Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it.' " A TROLLEY ACCIDENT. 35 CHAPTER IV. A TROLLEY ACCIDENT. It was late in the afternoon and the streets and cars were filled with people going home. Fulton street, below the City Hall, seemed to be a mass of cars and teams and pedestrians, all mixed in to- gether. A cry of horror was heard at the junction of Fulton and Court streets, and the crowd there soon doubled. "A man run over by the trolley car," exclaimed an excited individual. " Where's an officer to ar- rest the motorman ! " But the police were already taking the statements of the motorman, conductor and a number of wit- nesses, while a call for the ambulance had been sent in. The man was not killed, but badly injured. In- vestigation showed that he was very drunk, and at- tempting to get off a car he fell in front of another, and had his leg broken by the iron fender. A young man wearing a C. E. pin had been on the car, and helped to lift the man off the track. "What is your name?" asked a policeman. 36 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. orace Berg," replied the injured man. At the mention of that name the Endeavorer gave a start and said: "Are you any relation of Carl Berg?" "It's none of your business," was the rather startling reply. After the ambulance had gone, the Endeavorer hastened down the street to Mr. Berg's store, and as he entered was greeted with a cheerful voice. "Hello, Mr. Duncan, is that you? I'm glad to see you. Come right back here, if you can pick your way through the barrels." "Thank you, Mr. Berg, I guess I'll have no diffi- culty. Let us go into your private office for a mo- ment," replied Duncan, as he grasped his friend s hand. "You remember you mentioned having two sons whom you wanted to have interested in Christian Endeavor. Are they living at home with you ? " " One is, but the other comes and goes and we can't keep track of him. Stephen, the youngest, is not so far down and we have some hopes of making a man of him, but Horace" — and here Mr. Berg shook his head and sighed. " Horace," he con- tinued in a moment, " has given himself up to drink until we almost feel at times that he is beyond all hope. He hasn't been home for a week and I don't know where he is now." " I think, perhaps, I can tell you. There was an A TROLLEY ACCIDENT. 37 accident up the street a few minutes ago, and a man had his leg broken by being hit by a street car fen- der. He has been taken to the hospital, although considerably under the influence of liquor. He gave his name as Horace — Horace Berg." " Horace — my boy — run over — in the hospital," exclaimed Carl, as he tried to steady himself. "A broken leg is not so bad as it might be, Mr. Berg," replied Duncan in reassuring tones. " No, that is so," said Carl as he became more calm, " and he might be in a worse place than a hos- pital. But tell me all about it." Duncan told him how his son had attempted to get off the car just at the junction of the Court and Fulton street and Myrtle avenue lines, and had met with the mishap. " It is a very dangerous place," he added. " I want you to pray for my boy, Mr. Duncan," said Carl as Duncan was leaving. " I will and with all my heart, and when you get him removed to your house I will bring some of our society members down and hold a little prayer- meeting, if you wish." On his way up the street after bidding Carl good- bye, he overtook Harrington and the two continued along together. The accident was mentioned and Harrington's interest was enlisted in behalf of Horace. After agreeing to go and call on him the next morning at the hospital, the subject was 38 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. changed to the work of Gideon's band. " Mr. Duncan," said Harrington, " I think you have a special fitness for taking the leadership of the division on churches, and I want you to do it if you will. It is right in line with your work in the Union, and so will not interfere with your position as its president. I shall call on Edgar T. Bradley to look after the law enforcement division, while I shall en- deavor to work up the newspaper plan. If you and Bradley will come to my house to-morrow night we will discuss the various ideas I have in mind. I would suggest that the first Sunday in November be made a Temperance Day in the churches. Send a letter to all the pastors asking them to preach a temperance sermon on that day. It will come just before the election and may be helpful in winning votes for our cause. There isn't any time to lose because the month is pretty nearly gone now." " The Temperance Day is a good idea," said Dun- can, " and I will try to carry out your suggestions. The liquor dealers laugh at us because, they say, we talk temperance after the elections, while they get their work in before, when it counts for the most. There were 23,000 arrests last year for drunkenness in this city." " There wouldn't have been, if the city officials had courage enough to enforce the laws. It is a shame that Brooklyn, the city of churches, should become the rum-hole of New York. The saloon A TROLLEY ACCIDENT. 39 must go, and I shall do all in my power to give it a rattling good start." "Well, I'm with you," replied Duncan. " The Good Citizenship Committee did some excellent work in turning down the officials who favored the saloons instead of fulfilling their oath of office and enforcing the laws. That was the entering wedge which will split the saloon power into fragments. The chairman of that committee should be remem- bered when the union makes its nominations this winter." " I was away at that time and did not see the ac- counts," said Harrington, "but you must have had a lively time of it." " It was interesting, to say the least. The chair- man of the committee presented some resolutions, which were enthusiastically received and adopted. I think I have a copy of them in my pocket." And Duncan handed Harrington the following resolu- tions : Whereas, Many of the public journals of our State are advocating the non enforcement of certain laws by officials whose sworn duty it is to enforce every law ; and still others are endeavoring to create the impression that there is an overwhelming demand for the enact- ment of more liberal excise laws and the opening of saloons on Sun- day ; and Whereas, The officials of our city, by their action and inaction, clearly demonstrate that they do not intend to fulfil, by enforcing the present excise laws, the obligations assumed by their oath of office ; be it Resolved, That the good citizenship committee be instructed to ex- 40 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. press to the mayor and the police commissioner of Brooklyn, the deep regret of this union at their present excise policy ; and be it further Resolved, That the officers of the State Union of Christian En- deavor be advised that it is the sense of the union that the subject of good citizenship should hold a prominent place before the State con- vention to be held in our city on the 8th and 9th of October next ; that no official or other person, who, by his action or inaction, throws the weight of his influence in favor of an open saloon on Sunday, should be invited to address that convention, and that, if possible, provision should be made for a conference at that time of the repre- sentatives of all good citizenship committees, in order that our forces throughout the State may come together and stand shoulder to shoulder in the cause of good government. "The Brooklyn daily Buzzard" continued Dun- can, after Harrington had read the resolutions, " came out with an editorial and said the Endeavorers had insulted the Mayor, and intimated that they had better apolo gize. The Secretary of the committee replied to the editorial and carried on a brief, but lively controversy, in which the Buzzard rather got the worst of it. The editor would not give an answer to the question as to whether or not it was the duty of the Mayor and police commissioners to enforce the law requiring the saloons to be closed on Sunday. That paper dare not antagonize the saloon power. The controversy, however, aroused con- siderable interest in the subject, and when the con- vention programmes were printed, the Mayor's name was omitted. He was to have delivered an address of welcome. So much for the cause of Christian citizenship." A TROLLEY ACCIDENT. 41 "Yes, I am convinced that the time is coming when good government will prevail, and we shall have officials who know what their duty is and will do it," said Harrington, "and you may be sure they will not belong to the saloon element. Some one has said that the man who is willing for the saloon to stay is in no hurry for Christ to come; and I be- lieve he told the truth." " That is all the more shameful when it applies to a minister of t'he gospel. It is a matter of deep re- gret that there are ministers, or at least one minister, in this city that refused the use of his church for our temperance lectures, because, he said : ' It might in- terfere with my son's election this fall.' And it was the pastor of a prominent church, too, that said it." "Shame, shame upon him! ".said Harrington. " His son deserves to be defeated. Nevertheless, I believe we are approaching a glorious day, and these hinderers will be swept to the rear by the mighty advance of truth and righteousness. The churches have felt the force of the convention and the public has been stirred by Woolley's grand dis- courses, and now is the time for us to work. Don't forget to be at my house to-morrow night. I will stop at the hospital in the morning and inquire after Berg. Good-night." " Good bye," said Duncan. " I'll be there." And the two young men separated and went home. In the meantime, Horace Berg had been taken to 4 2 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. the hospital and had received the necessary medical aid. The shock had somewhat sobered him, and he was in a more humble state of mind when his father called. Carl found that he could be removed and so immediately procured a carriage and had him taken home. Then he notified Mr. Duncan of the change and told him he would be welcome any time he might choose to call at the house. Duncan tele- graphed to Harrington that Horace had been re- moved from the hospital to his home, so as to save his friend an unnecessary trip in the morning. That night was a sleepless one in the Berg house- hold. Horace was restless and impatient with his condition. Complaining and swearing, he passed a weary night, and kept his mother and father waiting upon him by turns. His brother Stephen came in late, and surprised at the unusual activity about the house at that hour, looked in the room and then went off to bed. Towards morning Horace began to sleep and slept until noon. He was much more quiet during the afternoon. In the evening Mr, Duncan called before going to Harrington's. " Horace," said Carl, introducing his son, " this is Mr. Duncan, who helped pick you up from the track yesterday." "Glad to see you, Mr. Duncan," said Horace, ex- tending his hand. After scanning his face a moment he said : " Aren't you the feller who asked if I was a relation of Carl Berg ? " A TROLLEY ACCIDENT, 43 " Yes," replied Duncan. " Well, you must pardon my hasty language. I wasn't myself at the moment." " Certainly," said Duncan, " I knew you did not realize what you were saying. Don't think of it again. I hope that you will not be laid up long. That junction of car lines is a dangerous place and you were fortunate in escaping with a broken leg. I am glad, too, that you have been brought home and are not confined in the hospital. If there is anything I can do for you, be sure to let me know. If you are fond of reading I shall be glad to lend you my library ticket." " Thanks," said Horace, " I don't care much to read, except the daily papers." " It may help you to pass away the time," replied Duncan, inwardly adding that it would be a good thing now if the Christian Endeavor Daily were published. Then bidding the family good-night he went to Harrington's. " That's one of them Christian Endeavor fellers you've been talking about, isn't it?" Horace asked when Duncan had gone. " He seems like a decent sort of a feller, but he needn't be coming around here to see me. He ain't my style." " Never mind, my son, if he takes an interest in you and wants to see how you are getting along; it wont do you any harm to have him come," said Mrs. Berg, as she held Horace's hand. 44 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. " I suppose you'll be wanting him to convert me ; but I tell you it's no use. I ain't ready." " I wish you were, my son ; I wish you were," was all she could say. Her hand tightened on his, and as he saw her eyes moist with tears, he said : " Don't worry about me, mother ; I'll get around to it some day, like as not. Anyway, I guess I'm as good as some church members." " But you are not as good as the best, and I want my boy to be the best." " You have always been a good mother, but you seem to have suddenly got church in your head. How did you come to get religious so sudden? " " Your father and I have been attending the Chris- tian Endeavor Convention, and we have learned some beautiful truths. I used to go to church regu- larly, but got out of the habit. Now we see things in a different light, and I begin to think that I never knew before what the real Christian life is. So many people go to church and go through the cere- monies and think they are Christians— but they're not. It takes more than that to make a Christian." " I guess you're right, mother," said Horace. " I see some church people do things that don't look like Christians. I guess there are mighty few Chris- tians in this world." "We are not to judge that, Horace. The Lord knows them that are his. Some of His people live very near to Him, and others are a long ways off. A TROLLEY ACCIDENT. 45 Your father and I have been getting nearer to Him, and O, it is so much sweeter, and so delightful. His presence is glorious, and to feel that God is near you, brings so much comfort and peace. I am glad we went to the convention." " Well, I suppose it's all right for them that un- derstand those things — but I don't." " But you can learn to understand them. They are very simple. 1 God is love.' That is easy to understand. 4 God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son ; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' That isn't difficult to understand. If you would only let the truth shine into you — but you shut it out. See what happy people these Christian Endeavorers are. They let God teach them the truth and they go along rejoicing. So would everybody if they would let God direct them." " You're getting to be quite a preacher, mother. I expect you'll be joining the C. E. Society." " I guess I'm too old for that now. That is a young people's society ; but you could join it, if you would." " I— ha ! ha ! " And Horace laughed. " I see myself joining their society. What do you suppose them fellers want with me? Do you suppose that — what was that chap's name that was in here ? " " Mr. Duncan, do you mean?" "Yes. Do you suppose that Duncan would vote 4 6 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. for me? Not after the way I swore at him yester- day." "I do not know," she replied. "Mr. Duncan is an earnest Christian Endeavorer, and I think he would like to have you become one. But, of course, you would have to stop swearing if you joined the society." "Well, I guess you needn't propose my name to- night. Better wait till my leg gets well, and then if they black-ball me they wont have to carry me out." And Horace chuckled to himself. " Horace, I'm going to invite some of the En- deavorers to come here and hold a meeting, so you can see what it's like." " The— excuse me, mother, I was going to swear. I'd rather you wouldn't. Break my other leg if you want to, but don't go to holding prayer-meetings over me." "Horace!" she exclaimed, and bowed her head on his shoulder. " Well, never mind me, mother; go ahead and in- vite them all down here if you want to." She made no reply, but remained quiet some time, and then arose and prepared the room for the night. " Good-night, my son," she said, as she kissed him. " I hope you will be better in the morning." THE CAMPAIGN OPENED. 47 CHAPTER V. THE CAMPAIGN OPENED. The Good Citizenship Committee had been doing some good work before and since the convention, and had obtained the signatures of a great many voters who were willing to adopt the platform aimed to secure the proper observance of Sunday and the purification of politics. The committee issued a neat card containing the principles and with an ap- plication blank attached. The card was as follows : GOOD CITIZENSHIP COMMITTEE. Brooklyn Christian Endeavor Union. our platform. We believe in God, and recognize our obligation to acknowledge His right to rule in the Nation, State and Municipality, as well as in the individual heart. We believe in the proper observance of Sunday as a day of rest and worship. We believe the saloon to be a menace to good government, as well as to the home, and that its in- 48 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. fluence should be banished from our political life ; and we favor all laws and plans which will lessen the evils of or totally annihilate the liquor traffic. We believe that every man is in duty bound to exercise his rights of citizenship. We believe in the outspoken denunciation of po- litical corruption by the pulpit, the public press, and by the individual citizen, and we believe in united effort for the enforcement of law and the suppres- sion of vice. We believe in everything that will take religion (not the church) into politics and in everything that will keep politics out of religion. OUR OBJECT. To induce the voting members of our Societies, Churches and Community to perform their duties as citizens. To oppose all efforts to break down the American Sunday. To encourage total abstinence and to counteract the power and influence of the saloon. OUR METHODS. Education and Agitation. Being a legal voter in Kings County, State of New r ork, and heartily endorsing the work of the Good THE CAMPAIGN OPENED. 4 9 Citizenship Committee of the Brooklyn Christian Endeavor Union — as outlined on the card above — / desire to be enrolled as an Honorary Member of said Committee, and will strive to exert all my personal influence along the lines indicated. {There is no expense attached to the Honorary Mem- bership.} Name, Street A ddress, . [This application should be detached and mailed immediately to the Secretary, HAROLD M. DAVIS, 157 Congress Street, Brooklyn.] These cards were distributed among the societies and wherever there was any prospect of getting sig- natures. The names as rapidly as obtained were re- corded alphabetically by the secretary, who mailed to them such information on good government and about the candidates as the committee could secure. In this way public interest was kept up in the cause. The first regular meeting of Gideon's Band was pretty fully attended and that was an encouraging sign of interest in and devotion to the work. The leaders had been assigned to the divisions, and the classification of the members had been completed. The first work taken up was that of the church di- vision under the leadership of Mr. Duncan. " Mr. Chairman," said Duncan addressing Har- rington, " I hardly know which is the proper way to address you. Are we to say Mr. President, Mr. Chairman or Mr. Gideon?" 5o THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. Harrington smiled as much as the dignity of his position would permit, and said : " So far as I am concerned I would be satisfied with simply Mr. Harrington, but, recognizing the value of discipline in conducting large assemblies, I think that my position may be defined sufficiently as Mr. Chairman." " Well, then, Mr. Chairman," continued Duncan, " the church division has a report to make whenever you are ready to hear it." "You may proceed now," responded the chair- man. " The division on churches, sir," said Duncan ad- dressing Harrington, " has deemed it advisable to carry out a suggestion made by you a few days ago, and has sent the following letter to each of the pas- tors in this city. If they will enter into the spirit and make November 3d a Temperance Sunday, we believe that the cause will be greatly advanced. This is the letter : Reverend and Dear Sir: Believing that you are interested in making this city a city of right- eousness, we take the liberty of invoking your as- sistance in our endeavor to counteract the tremen- dous influence of the saloon. The diagram here shown is a startling revelation, and the statistics are as accurate as it is possible to get them. During last year the Protestant churches of Brooklyn raised for missions the sum of $330,000. The total amount raised for all church purposes, including ex THE CAMPAIGN OPENED. 51 $15,000,000. $2,000,000. 52 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. penses, was $2,000,000, while the amount spent in the Brooklyn saloons during the same period is esti- mated at $15,000,000. To overthrow so mighty a giant as that evil requires a united effort on the part of the churches. Public sentiment has been greatly aroused by the divine spirit in the Christian En- deavor convention held here recently, and the five addresses delivered by Mr. Woolley have kept the interest up. If the churches will take hold now and make a strong plea throughout the city, many men and youths may be persuaded to take a firm stand against the saloon and its evils, both in private and public life. To this end we desire to make Sunday November 3d, a Temperance Day in Brooklyn, and we ask if you will kindly consent to preach a tem- perance sermon on that day. Please let us know if we may count on your assistance, so that we may form some idea of the success of our efforts. Trust- ing that we may have your co-operation, we have the honor to be Sincerely yours for the Master. " This letter was signed by the seventy-five mem- bers of the church division." " I think, Mr. Chairman," said Edgar T. Bradley, "that many of the pastors will respond favorably to' such an earnest appeal. I hope they all will. I am not on that division, but believing that the saloon is largely the cause of the non-enforcement of our laws, and being on the law enforcement division, I am particularly interested in abolishing the saloon. I hope, therefore, that the church division will be successful with the Temperance Sunday." THE CAMPAIGN OPENED. 53 " The saloon problem is a very important one, and especially at the present time," said Harrington. " The success which has crowned the efforts of the police commissioners in New York City, has made the Excise question an important factor in our ap- proaching elections. It seems to me that it might be well for us to devote our whole energy to this one great evil until after the elections. Therefore, I sug- gest that we hear what the other divisions have to say on this subject. Mr. Bradley, what has the law enforcement division to suggest?" " Well," replied Bradley, " I can scarcely say that our division has got to work yet ; but I have one or two suggestions to make. I saw a unique card in the Rams Horn a short time ago. The card is used by the Rev. Charles W. Hardendorf, of Albany, in his temperance work. It reads as follows: T. H. E. Devil, Pres't. L. Beer, Sec'y. Al. Cohol, Vice Pres't. W. Hisky, Traffic Agt. THE S. A. LOON CO. UNLIMITED. MAKERS AND DEALERS IN ALL KINDS OF CRIME, CRIMINALS AND SUFFERING. We beg leave to announce that with our increased facilities we are now making over three-fourths of all the murderers, thieves, paupers, harlots and lunatics in the market. We mean to drive every other institution from the land and absolutely monopolize the manu- facture. 54 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. N. B. — Rooms in jails, alms-houses and asylums se- cured for our customers in advance. A large lot of broken hearts and crushed hopes taken in exchange for our work, will be closed out cheap. No offer refused. " While the wording of the card is somewhat un- usual, I think it is truthful ; and now, my suggestion is that we issue as many thousand of these cards as may be necessary for distribution where they will do the most good. They might be distributed among the churches and Sunday Schools, but I think that they ought to be handed out to men and boys who frequent the saloons. I believe if a young man stood down at the ferries and at the bridge, and distributed these cards to the men coming home, many a work- ingman would be helped to pass the saloon in safety. Do you know it is an awful temptation for working- men to come over the ferry and walk up the street to their homes? After leaving the ferry the first house they come to is a saloon, and the one next to that is a — saloon, while the third one is a — saloon. Then the saloons begin to thin out somewhat, but if the workingman has to walk a half dozen blocks or more, he will have to pass from fifteen to twenty saloons. Suppose he gets past the first three all right, by the time he reaches the tenth or fourteenth, the temptation has taken such a hold on him that it has become irresistible and he goes in and takes a drink. He adds his little to swell the $15,000,000 income of the liquor dealers, while his own wife and THE CAMPAIGN OPENED. 5 5 little ones go without many of the necessities of life and content themselves with bare floors in a cheap tenement. I say we have had too much saloon al- ready in Brooklyn, and now the time has come when the saloon must go." "Amen!" shouted the Band. "It must and it shall." " I think your suggestion a good one," said the chairman, addressing Bradley, " and you are author- ized to go ahead and procure the cards and use them to the best advantage." "Thank you," said Bradley. " Here is a chart of a section of this city around the City Hall. The black spots represent saloons. What a satire upon the City of Churches ! There is another matter of which I wish to speak. When the mayor and police commissioner claimed that the Sunday law was en- forced in this city, everybody, who paid any atten- tion to the matter at all, knew that the law was being violated continually and without any effort at restraint. On Sunday, August nth, I stationed my- self at several points to observe the condition of af- fairs. On the corner of Atlantic avenue and Henry street I watched for six minutes, and during that time I saw four men enter the saloon and one woman come out carrying a pail of beer. There was also a girl about thirteen years old who came out with a pail of beer. On the corner of Hicks and Harrison streets I stood for ten minutes, and during that time BSS= nara THE CAMPAIGN OPENED. 57 nine people entered the saloon. Seven of them car- ried empty pails and soon came out with the pails full of beer, evidently. One of these persons was a boy about twelve years old. I went to other places, but I will not tire you with the testimony, as it would be but a repetition. Now, sir, it is evident that not only the Sunday law was violated, but also the law prohibiting the sale of liquor to children. In the face of these facts I submit the following scheme : I propose to post on each door of the sa- loons this notice : 1. The law forbids the sale of liquor to children. 2. The law forbids the sale of liquor on Sundays. 3. Parents or guardians will be held as accessory when children act as conveyors. 4. Persons found purchasing liquor at unlawful times will be held as accessory. 5. Persons seen entering this saloon at unlawful times are liable to arrest as suspicious characters. 6. The city officials request the assistance of all law-abiding people in the enforcement of these laws. Signed by (Mayor) and (Police Commissioner.)" At the mention of the city officials the members of the Band showed a tendency to laugh. " That is all right," continued Bradley. "I don't wonder you smile. Of course, I do not expect to accomplish this at present ; but after the election next month, we may have officials who will be will- ing to pass such an ordinance and sign it. At any 58 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. rate, I think it worth trying." "So do I, Mr. Bradley," said Harrington. " I think the scheme excellent." A member of the law enforcement division arose and addressed the Chairman. " I have here," said he, " a copy of the questions which the Good Citi- zenship Committee has sent to the different candi- dates ; and the candidate, without regard to party, who refuses to reply to the questions, or fails to meet the requirements of our principles, will lose the Christian Endeavor votes, as well as the votes of a great many who are not members of our organi- zation, but who sympathize with us. The questions are as follows : 1. Do you believe in God and recognize His right to rule in the affairs of men? 2. Do you believe in maintaining Sunday as a day of rest and worship ? 3. Do you believe the saloon to be a menace to good government, and that its influence should be banished from politics ? 4. Do you favor all laws and plans which will les- sen the evils of or totally annihilate the liquor traffic ? 5. Do you promise to use your influence to main- tain and enforce the present excise law, requiring the saloons to be closed on Sunday? 6. Do you solemnly pledge yourself to the honest fulfilment of the duties pertaining to the office to which you may be elected ? THE CAMPAIGN OPENED. 59 Note. — A prompt reply to these questions, which as our candidate, we have a right to ask you, may win for you many votes. A directed, stamped envelope is enclosed, with a set of the questions to each candidate." " Suppose they refuse to answer," suggested another member. "No candidate in these days," replied Harring- ton, " can afford to ignore the Christian Endeavor influence. If, perchance, such a thing should hap- pen as that all of the candidates should refuse to answer any of the questions, and the Endeavorers had no other way of ascertaining the requisite in- formation, and therefore, should refuse to vote, it would probably throw the saloon element into greater power than at present even. This, I think, would arouse such a w r ave of indignation on the part of the better class that they would rise up and prac- tically wash the gang off the face of the earth. This leads me to suggest that every Endeavorer ought to join his favorite political organization and see that only the best men are nominated. Such a course would save a great deal of valuable time and labor, which we have to employ now." " When we are able to put our own candidates in- to the field and elect them," said Duncan, " it will be a big improvement upon our present govern- ment. I would urge every young man to follow our leader's suggestion and identify himself with the 6o THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. political organization and use his influence for Christian Endeavor principles. The young ladies in the societies, while they are not yet allowed to vote, can, nevertheless, use their influence in win ning votes for our Endeavor cause." ''Speaking of the ladies," said a tall young man of the church division, " brings me to my feet. I have been very much interested in this subject — the power of the women — and I am firmly convinced that many young men get their first taste of liquor from the hands of young ladies in society. The young ladies offer it to the young men because they think the young men like it ; while the young men take because they think the young ladies want them to ; while in reality, each would be willing to drop the custom if the other would not mind. I hope the young ladies in our societies will use their in- fluence with the society leaders to abolish the evil custom. We shall then gain more rapidly in our temperance work." " Some young ladies," said another member, " like to have their wine and liquor as well as the men do. I know some very nice girls— and members of the church, but fortunately, not members of the Christ- ian Endeavor Society — who have their wine every day. They believe with Paul, that a little wine for the stomach's sake is good — although they are in no sense invalids." " Then," said Bradley. " they ought to agree with THE CAMPAIGN OPENED. 6 1 another of Paul's ideas — that if drinking wine maketh my brother to offend, I will drink no more wine — not while it produces eighty per cent, of the crime and suffering in this world. O, that men and women would learn to know the Lord, who came into this world not to please Himself, but to give Himself a sacrifice for others." " Gentlemen of the Band," said Harrington, rising from his seat, " I believe we have made a good start to-night, but the plans we have adopted will do no good unless they are put into practice. So now, then, to the work ! ' Let us go up at once and pos- sess it, for we are well able to overcome it.' ' Arise, therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee.' " 62 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. CHAPTER VI. RESCUE WORK. " Horace," said Mrs. Berg as she heard the front door bell ring, " some of the Endeavorers are com- ing this evening and will sing for us. They have a male quartette and your father heard them sing the other night, and he said they sang well. You used to sing a great deal and we thought that you would like to hear some music." " Going to sing hymns, I suppose," replied Horace. " Well, they've got me this time, because I can't walk. Tell 'em to make it short." Horace was growing rather impatient because of his confinement to the house. His leg was begin- ning to mend, but he was anxious to get out with his companions. One or two of them had called to see him, having read the account of the accident in the papers. He could not help, however, contrast- ing the manner and appearance of his cronies with the Endeavorers who came to see him. He wished more than once that he was different from himself, but, alas, while the spirit was willing his flesh was exceedingly weak, and he gave it up, and was ready to return to his haunts. Mr. and Mrs. Berg had RESCUE WORK. 63 consulted with Mr. Duncan and it was agreed that Duncan should bring some of his friends and hold a meeting in Horace's presence. It was Duncan who had just rung the bell. He was to lead the meeting and was the first to arrive. He went over to where Horace was reclining and shook his hand heartily. " I'm glad to see you looking so well, to-night," said Duncan. " Thanks," said Horace. " I suppose I'm doing the best I can under the circumstances. But I wish I was out o' here." " You mustn't get discouraged ; you'll shortly be out again, if you don't try to walk too soon." The different ones began to arrive and by eight o'clock all who were coming were there. With rare good tact Duncan did not refer in any way to the proposed prayer meeting, but when the young men were assembled and had been introduced, he turned to Horace and said : " I heard that you were fond of singing and so I asked these young men to come around and sing. We Endeavorers feel very proud of our male quar- tette. They have several new songs which they are practicing, and if you don't object they can rehearse them here." " Oh, I suppose I can stand it if the rest can," re- plied Horace. " I used to be something of a singer myself, but — eh — I — well, this climate don't seem to agree with my throat and I haven't done much sing- 6 4 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR, ing lately. But tell your friends to fire away." In order to awaken some interest on the part of Horace the quartette sang several popular songs, among them being one of his favorites, the 1 Sol- diers* Farewell.' When he found they could sing something besides church tunes, he brightened up and asked for different airs, with which he was familiar. " I thought you fellers didn't know anything but hymns," he said. " Oh, yes," replied Duncan, "we know a good many things, you see. Suppose we try a song with which we are all familiar. How would ' The Old Folks at Home ' do ? Let us all join in and sing it." After the singing of that piece, in which Horace tried to join, Duncan said, taking a small Testament from his pocket : " While the quartette is resting let me read a por- tion of Scripture." " Well," said Horace, " I thought you fellers would get around to it ; you have to bring religion into everything." " If we had more religion in our affairs we would have less trouble in our lives," replied Duncan. " I will read the first chapter of first John: 'That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of RESCUE WORK. 65 the Word of life ; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us ;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us : and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. " 1 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth ; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with an_ other, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un- righteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.' "To be blind," continued Duncan, " is one of the greatest misfortunes which we can have. We may lose a leg, or both of them, and >et be able to see and appreciate the beauty around us ; but if we lose our eyesight all beauty is gone, and we have to grope our way about in darkness. Though the sun be shining ever so brightly it is all dark to us. Two 66 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. men are heard talking. One who can see says 4 How bright and beautiful the day is;' the blind man says, ' You don't know what you are talking about ; it is dark and discouraging.' But he who can see knows whereof he speaks. There are two kinds of blindness : physical and spiritual. God is the light of the spiritual world, even as the sun is the light of the physical world. The Christian says, ' How glorious is the light of the gospel,' but the in- fidel says, 1 You are mistaken ; everything is dark and uncertain.' But the Christian knows whereof he speaks. * That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you,' 'God is light. * * * If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie.' Many a poor soul groping about in darkness has stumbled into a ray of light, in which he saw God and ever after believed in Him. Thank God, there is no place so dark but that the rays of His divine love can shine into it and glorify it. No sinner has such a dark heart but that the love of God will brighten it. All we have to do is to just open our hearts to Him and He will fill them with the brightness of His image. How happy the world would be if filled with the sunshine of God's everlasting love. I'm going to ask the quartette to sing the song, • Scatter Sunshine.' " The quartette sang with a great deal of earnest- ness, and Horace seemed to be deeply absorbed in thought while Duncan had been speaking. RESCUE WORK. 6 7 " I've asked Mr. Forsythe to come up to-night and speak about his life," said Duncan. Mr. Forsythe arose and said : " Friends, I want to testify to what the light of God has done for me. I've been a sailor for nigh on to forty years. I've sailed into nearly every port in this world, and now, praise the Lord, I'm sailin' straight for the port above. I ran away to sea when I was a boy, and I learned to drink and curse and carry on with the boys until I was qualified to be- come their leader in everything that was bad. Praise the Lord, I'm going to be a leader for good things hereafter. I've been a Christian now for one year, four months and sixteen days. I came into this port at that time and went ashore and got drunk. I got into a fight with another sailor and was arrested. I've been arrested before and have served my time in jail ; but this time I only had ten days in prison. When I got out my ship had sailed, and I had no friends and no money. I had heard of the Floating Bethel, and I went down there. The captain gave me a hearty welcome, and I was sur- prised at the friendship showed me by the others. There was some nice lookin' fellows sittin' on the platform, and after awhile they made speeches and told about God and His love. Then they had some more singing, and most of the sailors seemed to know the tunes, for they sang hard. Then the cap. tain talked awhile and wanted us all to sign the 68 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. pledge and quit drinkin.' One sailor got up and told about his life, and what an awful drunkard he'd been ; how he'd signed the pledge, and now was happy and saving money, instead of sleepin' in the gutters and givin' his money to them boardin' house runners and saloon keepers. Then some more got up and told what the pledge and Jesus Christ had done for them. Then some one wanted to sing * Where is my wanderin' boy to-night.' I tell you, that song touched my heart. I knowed my old mother had spent many sleepless nights for me. I began to fidget around in my seat and wished I was out of there. But I'd never been a coward before, and I wasn't goin' to git up and show them fellows that I couldn't stay the meetin' out. So I sat still and fidgeted. The more them fellows told how happy they was since keepin' the pledge, the more fidgety I got. Then two or three raised their hands to be prayed for, and one went up front to sign the pledge. The captain got up and says : ' Now, boys, don't let the devil keep you back. You know what it is to be drunk and homeless, and it don't pay. Just give your heart to Jesus and let Him keep you from the gin-mill and the jail. If you have no bunk to sleep in, come in here and pick out three or four of these wooden chairs and use the soft side of them for a bunk. No sailor boy was ever turned away from here. We don't want your money, but we want you to sign the pledge and keep it. Now, RESCUE WORK. 69 maybe some is hangin' back, afraid to come up. Jesus Christ is captain of this boat, and He says for you boys to come up on deck, where you belong. There are several newcomers in here to-night, and he wants them to come. Now, boys, when the cap- tain says come, you know what it is to disobey. We will sing a verse of the song ' A little talk with Jesus makes it right,' and I want every one of you boys that hasn't signed the pledge to come right up here and sign it.' " Well, friends, I couldn't stand it any longer, so I jest got up and signed that pledge, and one of them gentlemen on the platform talked to me about Jesus, and said, if we confessed our sins He was faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness ; and I promised to give him my heart. That was one year, four months and sixteen days ago, and I aint ever touched a drop of liquor since. I've got my family back with me. We are living in a little, but comfortable home, and I am puttin' some money in the bank every week. That's better than sleepin' in the gutter and havin' your face all covered with scratches and patches. I have seen the light and am walkin' in it the best I know how. Praise the Lord." As soon as Mr. Forsythe had stopped speaking, Duncan gave out the hymn " Throw out the Life- Line," and it was sung with a great deal of expres- sion. 7o THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. " Throw out the Life-Line across the dark wave, There is a brother whom some one should save ; Somebody's brother ! Oh, who then will dare To throw out the Life-Line, his peril to share." CHORUS. " Throw out the Life-Line ! Throw out the Life-Line ! Some one is drifting away ; Throw out the Life- Line ! Throw out the Life-Line ! Some one is sinking to-day." Horace had been an attentive listener, and the young men were beginning to hope his heart had been touched. They put their best effort into the last verse : " Soon will the season of rescue be o'er, Soon will they drift to eternity's shore ; Haste then, my brother, no time for delay, But throw out the Life-Line and save them to-day." A tear rolled down Horace's cheek, but he quickly brushed it away, with the remark : " This room is so hot that it makes me perspire in the eyes." His parents looked shocked and the young men were amazed. " My son," said his mother as she opened the win- dow, " if you had wanted more air you might have asked in a more gentlemanly manner." To this Horace made no reply, but turned his face towards the wall. " I think," said Mr. Duncan, " that we might have a word of prayer and then we will go home, as no RESCUE WORK. 71 doubt it is getting late," and kneeling beside the bed whereon Horace lay, he prayed earnestly : " Dear Father, the heavens declare thy glory and the firmament showeth thy handiwork ; yet how often does man, created in thine image, forget thee and wander away to the paths of sin and darkness. We thank thee for thy mercy which endureth for- ever, and thy loving kindness which endureth throughout all generations. Thou art the same yes- terday, to-day and forever, and into thy hands we commit ourselves for safe keeping. Thou knowest the dangers that surround us and the temptations which beset us. Especially do we ask thy blessing upon this household. Comfort and strengthen the father and mother in their trials and in their anxiety for the welfare of their sons. Give them faith and patience and the blessed companionship of thy holy spirit. Let the light of thy love shine into the hearts of the young men, that they may behold thy righteousness and the beauty of holiness. Give them an understanding heart that they may know the Lord and serve Him the remainder of their days. Be very near, our Father, to this young man in his affliction. Thou, who art the Great Physician, heal the broken limb and restore the health and strength ofhis body and mind and soul. O, we be- seech Thee, to let the softening influences of thy spirit touch his heart and cause him to forsake the evil ways, to realize that the only life worth living is 72 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. for the glory of Christ. Help us all to realize this and to show it in our lives, and all we would ask, with the forgiveness of our sins, is in Jesus' name. Amen." Horace was asleep, or pretended to be, when the young men arose and said good night. Mr. Berg followed the young men to the door. As he shook hands with the last one he said : " God bless you, Mr. Duncan ; I can't thank you enough for your kindness to us." " Have patience, Mr. Berg," he replied. "Your son's heart has been much hardened, but I think it opened a little this evening. Good night." The next morning one of Horace's chums called to see him. " Hello, old man, how's the leg getting along?" " Oh, I guess it's growing," was Horace's reply. "Well, I hope you'll be out soon. We miss you around at the club. Suppose we were to bring a carriage around for you some evening, couldn't you come with us for the night?" " No, I guess not just yet," said Horace. " I don't want to take any chances. It's bad enough to be kept in and I don't want to have to do it all over again. I'd like mighty well to get out of here, though." " Don't suppose the old man will give you a drink, will he?" " No, I ain't had a drop now since I was hurt." RESCUE WORK. 73 " I thought as much. I've got a little of the pure stuff here in my flask, if you want to take a pull at it." " Thanks. Don't care if I do," said Horace. " Sh — here comes the old lady — let me have it quick." Horace put the whiskey flask to his mouth and hurriedly took a swallow, and handed the bottle back before his mother entered the room. She took a seat near the window and began to read. After a rather desultory conversation his friend went away, promising to put in a good word for Horace at the club. Mrs. Berg asked a few questions about the caller but found that Horace was inclined to be flighty in his remarks, and noticing his face was slightly flushed, she, with quick mother-wit, suspected that his friend had brought him whiskey. That after- noon Horace had a good sleep and awoke in the evening feeling the worse for his drink. " What a blamed fool I am," he thought, as he lay there in the dark after the rest had retired. " I wish I was able to quit this drinking business. What a sweet looking cuss that Tim Murphy was this morning. I wonder if I look like him. So the boys miss me at the club, do they? Well, if I could shake the whole lot of them I'd do it. It don't pay — this sort of thing. If I hadn't touched whiskey I wouldn't be lying here with a broken leg and a 74 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. swelled head. If I could stop it, I'd never touch another drop. The cursed stuff ! I used to sing as good as any of them chaps that was here last nighty but now my voice is all gone. Whiskey done it. My stomach, too, is burnt out. Whiskey done it. Look at my face — all bloated. Whiskey done it. My eyes all blood-shot. Whiskey — oh, the devil take the whiskey ! I'm done with it. And Tim had to go and bring me a bottle of the stuff here in the house. He's a nice kind of friend to have. Duncan wouldn't have done anything like that. I wish I could see that sailor again. I'd like to talk with him. So he signed the pledge. I wonder what kind of a pledge it was." Horace thought over the words of the sailor and what had been said about God forgiving sins. He recalled the prayer and the Great Physician. In a moment he clenched his fist and sat up in bed. " I'll do it ! " he said to himself. " If I get well and get out of here, I'm going straight down to that Bethel and sign that pledge. If God will help that sailor, He'll help me make a man of myself. Yes, sir, I'll do it, as sure as my name is Horace Berg." He laid back again upon his pillow with a feeling of peace which he had never known before. In the adjoining room, Carl and his wife were awake, each busy with thoughts of the young man and his temptations. " Maria," said Carl, softly, " do you know, I have RESCUE WORK. 75 an idea? This whiskey business is a great curse. I have been thinking what I could do to stop it. I can't preach, I aint fitted for it ; but the Lord has been good to me and prospered me in business. Now, if I knew of some one who could conduct the meetings I'd pay the expenses of a Rescue Mission." " How would Mr. Duncan do? " said Maria. " No, he has other work ; and besides, he is not the kind. The sailor who was here would do better, because he has been through all the experiences necessary for interesting that class of men. No, Mr. Duncan wont do'" " Father!" "What is it, my son," said Carl, starting up. "I'll do it." " Do what, my boy ? " " Why, run the Rescue Mission for you. I've had all the experience necessary, and I have determined to follow the sailor's plan and sign the pledge. May- be I can be of some use in the world yet, God help- ing me." ;6 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. CHAPTER VII. THE CHURCH AT WORK. Gideon's Band was beginning to attract a con- siderable amount of attention on account of the work which it was accomplishing. Its influence was being felt and many people were applauding its efforts. The possibility of a City of Endeavor was beginning to take hold of the Christian community, and the churches were feeling the influences of the convention. They were planning an active cam- paign for the winter and revivals were being held in many parts of the city. The fact that there was an organized body of Christians determined to put down the evils in their midst, aroused many church members to the fact that the devil didn't have a mortgage on everything, and they became inclined to lend a hand and do their share in the City of En- deavor. Many Christians who had been apparently asleep were now wide-awake in the Master's service. The Band met regularly to report upon the work accomplished and to plan other campaigns. One evening, when Harrington had called the meeting to order, he said : " Gentlemen of the Band : I am happy in being THE CHURCH AT WORK. 77 able to announce that forty-five more young men have joined our number, which now gives us ninety strong workers in each division. Applications are coming in constantly, which is an encouraging sign of the times. Our church division has something good in store for us this evening, and I am going to give Mr. Duncan the floor and let him outline to us his ideas on church work." Mr. Duncan arose and was received with a hearty applause. " I am glad to say that our church division is meeting with some success. The spirit of unity is spreading over the city and the churches are more closely bound together in the ties of fellowship. They are beginning to realize that a united effort will remove a greater obstacle than by pulling apart. One man alone cannot lift a heavy load, but three men together can remove it. One denomination alone cannot lift the evil in our midst, but all de- nominations working together can remove it and thereby purify our city. It is an encouraging sign — this bond of unity. " A meeting has been called, to which each de- nomination will send a representative. These men will plan a line of aggressive work against the workers of iniquity ; and it is expected that each church will then take up this work and carry it on. Formerly, when each denomination, and I was going to say each church in the denomination, was seeking to 73 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. build up its own reputation, and cared not whether the rest of the world went to perdition, or the cause of Christ made any progress, outside of its own lit- tle circle, then the devil had an easy time of it ; but now that the churches have overcome their pride and selfishness, and really desire to see the kingdom of God come, and are willing to lay aside the petty differences which separate them, and unite upon the grand theme that Jesus Christ came into the world to save not only the Presbyterians or Baptists, but whosoever believeth on Him — now, I say, his Satanic Majesty will have to hustle pretty lively, or he will be out of a job in Brooklyn. " Another encouraging sign is the increase in the number of Christian Endeavor Societies since the convention. The growth has been rapid, and pastors who did not before believe in the movement have been converted. It is my opinion that the pastor or church which does not approve of the C. E. organi- zation will soon be left so far in the rear that it will not be able to reach to the commissary department of God's advancing army ; and being unable to ob- tain the necessary food for maintenance, will linger until the coroner's verdict will be — death by innocu- ous desuetude. A church, to live, must have mem- bers — live members ; it must have new members to take the place of those who have finished their labors here ; it must have young members to train up in church duties; but the young members and THE CHURCH AT WORK. 79 the new members are not flocking backward, but are advancing, and prefer to join the church which offers opportunities for accomplishing the greatest results. To-day the church has no greater equipment for ag- gressive work than the Society of Christian En- deavor. God pity the man who stands in the way of its advancement. " Many pastors, no doubt, are honest in their con- victions, and think they are doing right in opposing or withholding the Christian Endeavor Society from their churches; but, like Saul, they will suddenly see a great light from heaven, and hear a voice say- ing, * Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' for if there ever was a God-given movement, the Christian Endeavor Society is one. " Some ministers object to the Society because the women speak in meeting. I heard one of these ministers preach a sermon in the first part of which he condemned the women who sat on the platform and spoke in a public meeting. In the latter part of his discourse he praised the women who went into the slums of the city to rescue their fallen sisters. Now, sir, I contend that a man has no right to send a woman into such work and then put a gag in her mouth to prevent her from telling of her work, and thus enlisting more workers and means for carrying it on — and no one can tell of the work so well as the one who is doing it. These ministers base their objections upon the words of Paul: 1 Let your women 8o THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. keep silence in the churches.' It may be that the word your should be the, which might apply it then to other women than the Corinthian. But Paul also said : 1 Suffer not a woman to teach,' yet these same pastors have Sunday Schools in which the women teachers outnumber the men two to one. If a womar may teach a class of six young men, may she not enlarge that class indefinitely? If she may teach sitting down, may she not teach standing up, if she can be heard to better advantage ? If she may teach in one part of the room, may she not in another — even if that be upon the platform? Your church division, Mr. Chairman, has arranged for a banquet to which has been invited all ministers in this city who have no C. E. Societies in their churches. Our object is to discuss the work of the organization, overcome, if possible, their objections, and establish new societies. " The winter season is now approaching and, as heretofore, there will be many poor people in need of assistance. We have a plan to propose whereby the needy of this city may be cared for, both tem- porally and spiritually. Our plan is very simple and, if the churches will use it, they will be able to provide for the destitute, and at the same time carry the gospel to neglected homes and gradually in- crease their own membership. Our Lord had no objection to feeding the famished body as well as the hungry soul, and we believe the two should be THE CHURCH AT WORK. 81 cared for together. Our plan is this : divide the city into as many districts as there are churches, and then let each church look after one district. Each church could employ a Christian visitor to call upon the families in its district and thus find out the needs of the people. This would also give an op- portunity to extend an invitation to attend church and to sow good seed for the Master's harvest. This would do away with promiscuous begging, ex- cept from strangers who could be dealt with accor- dingly, and would eliminate the unworthy class." " I would like to ask Mr. Duncan," said a member of the newspaper division, " what the smaller churches are to do which cannot afford to employ a visitor." " The carrying out of the proposed plan necessi- tates the united effort of the churches, and they which are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak," replied Duncan. " Home missionary work should begin at home, and it is presumed that every church has some missionary spirit and some funds for that work, but the larger churches could easily make up the deficiency. The idea, if feasible for this city, could be carried out in other cities, and if every city and town in this country should carry out the plan, it is easy to imagine what the grand result would be. It has been published in one of the city papers that Brooklyn has 10,500 manufactories with 109,000 employes, to whom are paid $65,247,000 in 82 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. annual wages, or about $600 to each one. Esti- mating in the usual way, that is five persons to each family, Brooklyn would have 200,000 families. It would be a low estimate, indeed, to say that each family had only one person who received an annual income equal to the factory hand. This would mean a yearly income of $120,000,000 for the people of Brooklyn. If they would give one-tenth of that to the Lord we should have the magnificent sum of $12,000,000 a year for the cause of Christ." " It is certainly a very beautiful idea," said Har- rington, " but the people of Brooklyn are not all Christians yet." " I am well aware of that, Mr. Chairman," replied Duncan, " but we are now a City of Endeavor and the $12,000,000 is worth endeavoring for if used in so good a cause." "All Christians do not believe in giving a tenth." "That is true, also," said Duncan. " Many Chris- tians give more than a tenth, which is proper, but I believe that every follower of Jesus Christ ought to be willing to give at least a tenth of his income for the cause of Christianity. Some people would insist that the widow who had only a little oil and meal for herself and son could not afford to give one-tenth or any of it to a stranger, but she gave one-third to the Lord's servant ; and that cruse of oil and barrel of meal wasted not, nor failed during the famine. See what she gained by being generous in the Lord's THE CHURCH AT WORK. S3 wcyk. Then you remember the widow who cast in two mites, but it was not one-tenth ; it was ten- tenths which she gave and which won for her the Saviour's benediction. When we consider these things surely we can afford to give at least one-tenth of our income for the advancement of the cause to which we owe our eternal life. One-tenth is a very small exchange for such a gift." "There is another matter concerning our churches," continued Duncan, " which I think is im- portant. The observing persons will see that the saloons are open all day and every day in Brooklyn, while the churches are open at certain hours on two and sometimes three days each week. In other words man — for man usually carries the keys — man says, you may go to the devil as often as you wish or have no other place to go, but once or twice a week is often enough for you to go to the house of God — you ought to be satisfied with that. I tell you the time is coming when the temple of God will be open to everybody at any time, and the devil's den shall be closed. Shall we not do all we can to hasten the coming of that day? " I am glad to announce that many churches are already beginning a season of revival meetings with promises of an abundant harvest." "This certainly is encouraging," said Harrington when Mr. Duncan had taken his seat. "A thing 'well begun is half done,' and I congratulate the 8 4 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. church division upon the excellent beginning it has made. The newspaper division has not been asleep and I am sure you will be pleased to learn that our hopes are to be realized. Our division has been hard at work arousing the interest of the Christian community in the matter of having an able repre- sentative among the daily papers. The wealthy men in all denominations have been approached on the subject and in most cases have agreed to con. tribute a certain sum annually towards the running expenses of a daily paper, in which the Christian sentiment shall be fearlessly expressed. The amount pledged is sufficient to run the paper with- out any returns, but as some copies will be sold un- doubtedly, and as some advertising will be given us at least by the Christian merchants, there will be a surplus each year. This surplus, of course, will be increased each year as the paper gets better estab. lished and gets upon a paying basis. The surplus will be invested each year until in the course of time the members will get back all they put into it, and they will not be out anything, but will have the added satisfaction of having established an important factor in the advancement of good government and righteous living. We shall select the best Christian writers and business men to conduct the enterprise, so that we are moderately confident of success. This new paper, The Christian Endeavor Express, will make its bow to the public on January 2d next." THE CHURCH AT WORK. 35 The applause which greeted this announcement lasted fully two minutes. Then Mr. Harrington continued : "The importance of this paper will be seen when we stop to think of the treatment which we receive now from the press. For instance, when the anti- Sunday law people held a demonstration, the Brook- lyn Buzzard contained quite an account of it, but omitted to mention the other important meeting of the Sunday Law Enforcement Society, thus giving the general public the impression that everybody who was doing anything was in favor of the open saloon. Hereafter, the people will have a chance to see that there are two sides to the question, and that the Christian Endeavor people have a voice — and a pretty good one, too — in the subject of the Sunday observance and other important topics. We shall proceed to show up the inconsistencies of the edi- torials in the Buzzard, by the use of the ' deadly parallel column,' how it says one day that the law must not be enforced, and the next day it says the law must be enforced. Perhaps its editorials are determined by the amount of influence which it ex- pects to receive from one side or the other. What this community needs is a truthful, consistent and fearless leader, and that it will have in the Christian Endeavor Express. " I will detain you to-night but a little longer. I have a few items to present which are worth con. 86 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. sidering. We have been hearing a great deal about the $15,000,000 spent annually in the Brooklyn sa- loons, which causes eighty per cent, of our crimes and suffering. I wish to contrast that with what might be. Suppose, instead of spending that $15,000,000 in saloons, the people of Brooklyn were to use it in matters of education. How much more desirable would life in Brooklyn then be. Look at that noble institution of learning, the Brooklyn In- stitute of Arts and Sciences,* with its many depart- ments of increasing man's intelligence and useful- ness. Suppose the first year it were to receive the $15,000,000, instead of having it go to the saloon in- fluences for destroying man's intelligence and useful- ness. It would give the Institute the finest equip- ped building for its purposes in the world, besides giving it an endownment fund which would make it entirely independent. The second year's income we might give to the public schools. Their property valuation at present is $8,500,000, so that the ac- commodations could be doubled, and thus prevent the present over-crowding, and still have over $6,000,000 to invest in a perpetual fund for supply- ing the schools with the latest appliances for experi- menting and teaching. The school appropriation last year was $2,700,000, and this amount would be cut down, thus lowering our taxes. The cost of cleaning the streets for one year is $352,000; for See Frontispiece. THE CHURCH AT WORK. 87 removing garbage and ashes, $309,000 and for lighting the streets with gas and electricity, $530,000. So, if we were to devote the saloon income for the third year to paving the streets, cleaning and lighting them, we would have a city of magnificent avenues, brilliantly lighted at night from beautiful electric fixtures. The fourth year we could turn the saloon into a public library, of which the world would be proud ; and the fifth year we could establish public baths, and could enlarge and beautify our parks and driveways, ornamenting them with statues and other works of art. That is what we could do in five years with the money we now spend to build jails and fill them with drunkards and criminals; to build insane asylums and poor-houses for idiots and paupers produced by the saloons ; to crowd our city with cheap, dirty tenements, and fill our streets with the refuse of an ignorant and careless community. And yet people go on patronizing the saloon and then wonder at the increase of crime. " There are two other schemes which I think would be a decided gain. One is to do away entirely with the Coney Island ' attractions,' and turn the place into a park, with music and such features as elevate the moral and intellectual tone of mankind ; where people could go and enjoy the water and not be obliged to be mixed in with so much adulteration. The other plan is to build an electric railroad through the centre of Long Island, running the entire length 88 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. of the Island. Along this line could be laid out beautiful grounds and streets, with every advantage for residence purposes. No stores or shops would be allowed, except at certain intervals, where dis- tributing points were established. This would give more desirable locations for homes, within easy access of New York or Brooklyn, and prevent the overcrowding of the city. Gentlemen, we have a glorious opportunity before us — let us make the most of it." ENCOURAGEMENT. 8 9 CHAPTER VIII. ENCOURAGEMENT. The winter had gone and the spring flowers were beginning to blossom. The air was filled with their fragrance, and the birds sang melodies with a won- derful sweetness. Somehow this springtime seemed far more joyous than usual. The light of the gospel had illumined many hearts and thousands were re- joicing who before walked in darkness. The revival season had been full of fruit and a wave of religious enthusiasm had swept over the city. The Christian people had awakened to a sense of their privileges and responsibilities, and the command, " Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself," had been heard by a multitude of citizens who were beginning to put it into practice. One of the most encouraging signs was the large number of young men who had been converted during the winter and had joined the churches, taking their places in the Christian En. deavor Societies and in Gideon's Band. To belong to Gideon's Band was considered quite an honor, but Harrington insisted on making the requisites for membership rather severe, because he considered half-hearted work worse than no work. The Band go THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. had increased to a little over one thousand mem- bers, and was doing excellent work. The Christian E?ideavor Express had met with greater success than had been anticipated, although it was not yet mak- ing money. The people appreciated a clean and fearless paper and its patronage increased rapidly, much to the disgust of the Buzzard. The church division had established missions throughout the city and had enlisted a host of good workers who produced positive results in the Master's work. The law enforcement division had succeeded in arousing public sentiment until the saloons were closed on Sundays and holidays. The work in all departments had been prospered, until the outlook was very encouraging for the City of Endeavor. A few more years of such growth and Brooklyn would be a model city. One evening Carl Berg and his wife were sitting in their library, talking over the wonderful changes that had occurred during the last six or seven months. " Maria," said Carl, " the Lord has been very good to us. I am a very different man to what I was a year ago. It was by His mercy that I was led to attend that sunrise prayer meeting. That was the most glorious sunrise I ever saw. It dispelled the gloom of my cloudy mind and enabled me to clearly see the glorious beauty of divine love. Then came the renewal of your faith and the conversion of our ENCOURAGEMENT. 9> two boys. What a joy it is to have both of our sons engaged in the Christian Endeavor work. Yes, Maria, I am a happy man and feel twenty years younger." And he slipped his arm around her waist and gave her a kiss. u I, too, am just as happy," replied his wife ; " happy because I have found my way back into the fold, and because my husband and sons have come into the same faith. It looked very dark for us at one time, but now everything is bright and prom- ising. Horace seems to be devoted to his work in the mission and the Lord is surely blessing his efforts." " His appearance and general health has improved greatly and I feel proud to call him my son. When I started that mission I did not think my son Ste- phen would be among the first to be converted there. But his ability to play the organ has been a great help to his brother. We never supposed a year ago that Stephen would be now studying for the min- istry. There has been a grand change in our house- hold and yet, not in ours alone, but in many another. It was a big thing for Brooklyn when the convention came here." " Carl," said his wife, drawing closer to him, "there is one burden on my mind. You know be- fore Horace took to drinking so hard he kept com- pany with Ethel Hobart. He loved that girl and his love was to some degree reciprocated, but when 9 2 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. he began drinking, like a sensible girl she refused to have anything to do with him. Now that he has re- formed I can see his old love coming back, and now the sense of shame for his past life is so great that he cannot bring himself to ask her to accept such a miserable being as he feels himself to be." " Well, Maria, there's time yet and love is some- thing that outsiders can't meddle with to any great extent, without doing more harm than good. Just let the Lord bring it about in His own good time." " She would make an excellent wife. She is an earnest Christian worker, sensible and healthy. She would be a great help to Horace in his mission work." Just then Stephen came in and his father said: "Well, my boy, what sort of a meeting did you have ? " "Had a fine meeting," was the reply; "don't think I ever heard Horace speak so earnestly in my life. He seemed inspired and threw his whole soul into his speech, and when he came to tell the story of his life I didn't see a dry eye in the audience. One of his old chums was there — Tim Murphy, I think he called him — and when he came in he had a sort of sneer on his face, but you ought to have seen his expression change as Horace warmed up in his speech. W 7 hen he got through and invited the boys to come up and sign the pledge, Tim came up with the tears running down his cheeks and took Horace's ENCOURAGEMENT. 93 hand and said: 'Old boy, I've done you some mighty mean tricks in my time, but I'm sorry now and am goin' to sign the pledge and quit the old gang, the same as you've done. I hope you'll for- give me for bringin' that whiskey into your house that time you was laid up with a game leg. You've done me a mighty good turn to-night.' And so Tim signed the pledge with fifteen others." " Well, where is Horace — did he stay down at the mission ? " " O no; he's gone up the street with some of the visitors. There were two young ladies and their escorts from some Congregational Church up-town who had heard of the mission and came down to see it. One of the young ladies was that Hobart girl that Horace used to go with, and as she seemed in- terested in the work he began to tell her about the mission, and when we came away he said he would walk up to the City Hall with them where they take the cars." Did you say Miss Hobart had an escort? " asked his mother. "Yes, and a mighty nice looking fellow he was too. I shouldn't be surprised if they were engaged. She introduced him as Mr. Johnson — or Johnston, I don't know which. I didn't go all the way with them as I was tired, and that reminds me — I think I will go to bed. Good night." 94 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. CHAPTER IX. CONCLUSION. Four years have passed and Brooklyn is still the City of Endeavor, although far more advanced than it was at the time of the Christian Endeavor Con- vention. Then, it was a city of saloons ; now, it is a real city of churches — or perhaps it would be bet- ter to say, a city of more real churches. The liquor element has been put out entirely, and there is not a saloon in the county. One or two brewing estab- lishments still remain, but they are preparing to transfer their plants to other and more congenial locations. The enforcing of the Sunday law com- pelled many saloons to close up entirely, as without the Sunday trade they could not make the business pay. The other saloons gradually closed out, be- cause the business fell off so greatly, on account of the large increase in teetotalers. Total abstinence became the principle of every intelligent and self respecting individual who cared aught for the im- provement of the community. So great was the falling off in wine-bibblers in four years that the saloon keepers found they could make more money elsewhere, and decamped, leaving Brooklyn " to its CONCLUSION. 95 fate," as they remarked. But with the passing of the saloon, Brooklyn has made a better and cleaner appearance, and has become by far a safer place to reside ; and these, with other like advantages, at- tract a multitude of very desirable inhabitants, and has increased its population to 1,500,000. An honest administration has given the city good government and better conditions for living. The rookeries have been demolished and replaced with model tenement houses, and every street gives evi- dence of new and better life. Real estate has in- creased in value fifty per cent. The religious daily has become the leading paper, with an enormous circulation, which is not by any means confined to the City of Brooklyn, for outsiders look upon it with a feeling of curiosity and admiration. The savings banks are doing a larger business, and everybody has a prosperous appearance and looks happy. The electric car service has been improved and extended, and the annexation of Queen's County is now the topic of discussion. Educational matters are receiv- ing more attention, and Brooklyn will soon become noted for its wisdom and learning. Beautiful churches adorn the city, and the congregations work and worship harmoniously. More than double the amount of money is raised annually for church work. Laws are being enforced, and the city is practically free from the criminal class. Gideon's Band is still in existence, seeking new fields to conquer^and they 96 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. still win under the old motto: "Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it." So many members of the various athletic clubs have been converted that the teetotalers have had a majority in the membership, and have voted to dis- pense with liquors and cards in the clubs. In the theatres, the Vaudeville shows have played to such poor houses that the companies now have taken Brooklyn off their tours, and the theatres are used mainly for recitals, concerts, lectures, and grand mass meetings of the Endeavorers. Stephen Berg has finished his studies in the semi- nary and is now ordained to preach the Gospel. ****** One bright moonlight evening in the early fall, a young man walked home with a young lady from a Rescue Mission and lingered at the door. "You cannot guess how much inspiration your presence at the Mission gives me," said he. " It is very kind of you to say so," she replied, "but just look at the stars, how beautiful they are to-night — and the moon — isn't it glorious?" "Yes, if you say so ; but I'm talking about some- thing more beautiful than they. I'm speaking of an angel." "Pshaw! Don't be silly. You know I'm no angel." CONCLUSION. 97 " True. You are more than an angel. I do not know what I should do were you to leave the Mis- sion, and yet — and yet I have no claim upon you if you wish to go." " Why, what makes you suggest such a thing. I have no intention of going — not at present, any- way." " Ethel, I cannot remain silent any longer. I must speak. I love you — love you with all the de- votion that a wasted life can produce." He started to put his arm around her, then stopped. " No," he continued, " I love you too well to ask you to take the name of a man who has been a drunkard — a common drunkard, reeling in the gutter. Yet life without you is so desolate ! Ethel, do not leave me, but stay at the Mission, where I can at least see you and feel the influences of your sweet life." " Horace, listen to me. You must not talk about your past life. You have made mistakes, but who hasn't ? You are a very different man now to what you were then, and the experiences which you went through fitted you for doing a noble work for the Master. Perhaps we would not have chosen that path, but that is past, and it is the future which is before us. I have been watching you ever since I first attended your Mission, four years ago, and a man who has the strong, unselfish character which you have, is the man whose name I should be will- ing to take." 98 THE CITY OF ENDEAVOR. "Ethel! Can you love me — will you be mine? O, do say yes ! " "Yes, Horace, I can and will." " My love," said Horace, clasping her in his em- brace, " the Lord has been very good to me when I've been such an — " " Sh — you forget ; you are not to speak of the past." " Very well, sweetheart ; but say, when shall the wedding be ? " " Next month, if you wish." " And the minister — " " Shall be your brother Stephen." 3" A. A. Webster & Co., ewelers & Silversmiths 440 FULTON STREET, Fine Diamonds, Watches, Clocks, Bric-a-Brac and Sterling Silver. S0UVeiUr6 in Gold and Sil- ver. Endeavor Pins. Latest Productions for this Fall now on Exhibition. VINGTON BROTHERS, Pine Q\)\na and G^lass, Gron^es and ^tatuary, A Visit is requested whether you Flatbush Avenue, may wish to purchase or not. Near Fulton St. Hardman that's handsome Piano that's strong Hardman that's always right In make and never wrong , ANDERSON & CO. 569 Fulton St. Be sure you're right Then go to ANDERSON'S When you are in Need of a first Class Piano . You will be suited in make Price and Terms . ANDERSON & CO. 569 Fulton St. Vesey and Barclay Streets, BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND WEST STREETS . . . NEW YORK. 400 Elegantly Furnished Rooms lighted in their entirety by a continuous speed of a ioo horse-power " Armington & Sims " latest improved horizontal automatic cut-off engine, connected direct one of the Siemens and Halske Electric Company of America dynamos, and capable of generating 1 750 lights. Rooms 50c, 75c. and $1.00 and upward per night, also rooms en suite for families. Washington St. and Myrtle Avenue, Opp. Junction Court, Montague and Fulton Sts., Brooklyn, N. Y. OPEN DAY AND NIGHT. Largest Dining Rooms on the European Plan in Brooklyn. SPENDLEY & PECK'S Kirst Class Restaurant OYSTER A^sD CHOP HOUSE, (Formerly Duckworth's), 7"PP>T TV/T 13 T A r^T^T ° ne Door from Fulton Street, rZvJ-vlVJL ST l^Jr^K^ JZL/, BROOKLYN, N. Y. Opposite Grand Opera House. Prompt Service. Polite Attention. Moderate Prices. Cocoa and Chocolates ( are unexcelled for Purity of Material andy^ Deliciousness of Flavor.^ Their Pink Wrapper Vanilla Chocolate is a favorite for Eating and Drinking. Grocers everywhere. BROOKLYN. N. Y. Fulton, Livingston and Hoyt Sts. A Complete Department Store ! FOR 25 YEARS past, our name has been associated with whatever is most enterprising and progressive in retail merchandise in Brooklyn. Never, however, were we in position to offer the public ro perfect a service as to-day. Unlimited capital and unrivalled facilities are at our command, and — — i^^aafe Reliable Goods at Lowest Prices IS OUR MOTTO. Mail orders are promptly and carefully executed. Goods will be delivered free within 100 miles of Brooklyn. Louis and Herman Liebmanu, Gen'l Managers. THE LIEBMANN CO. For all the NEW Songs and PIANO Selections. 1 he most varied and complete stock in Brooklyn. FRusieAL Instruments ba^ALL GRADES AND PRICES. 310 Fulton St., t wo Blocks Below Citv Hall.) Brooklyn. WM. NILS0N,__ Ice Creams and Candies, 709 FULTON STREET, Branch Store, 1227 Bedford Ave., BROOKLYN. William H. Adams, HIGH GRADE Btksi, I Citeict r mi. i Confections*, 531 FULTON STREET, Telephone No. 1770. BROOKLYN. LADIES' LUNCH ROOM. FURS STORED AND REPAIRED W. H. BULLARD, i mporterT^and manufacturing FURRIER. 418 & 420 Fulton Street, Brooklyn. Exclusive Styles. Reliable Qualities. Fresl?!Pure!^J)elicious I!! y $° Noveltiesif? Fancy Dasteb^isJ \ And Bonborcm'eres Suitable for Presents. ^ 335 and 337 Fulton Street, JL. A S, * and 458 Fulton Street, * Bifik../ BROOKLYN ^.^IHlil Candies carefully pacKed and shipped To all parte of foeCountnj by Mail or Express JOH^ C. KUHLKE, ^ U NDERTAKER AND ^MBALMER, 154 COURT STREET, Telephone Call, 544. BROOKLYN. ^HANDLER, 300 FULTON STREET. THE ¥EBf BEST ITERS & POND, J. & C. FISCHER, MARSHALL & WENDELL, WEGMAN & CO., AND MANY OTHERS FOR SALE or It EN J\ On the Best Possible Terms. A. H. HARTMANN, tuf tsliiiif * ©itteiitt, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 320 FULTON STREET, NEAR PIERREPONT ST _ OCULISTS RECIPES ACCURATELY FILLED. Rjchard B. Treacy, 56 COURT STREET, ' BROOKLYN , N. Y. PIANOS JAMES