of Christian Love
by Harry G. Sandstrom
Spiritually needy men line up outside of New York's historic Bowery Mission. More than 350 are given lodging in these build ings each day. The Mission is supported by volun tary contributions. The vagrants are led to seek sanc tuary and help at the Mission by the church-like appearance of the narrow building, the music at the frequent services, which pours through the doors, the many signs at street level inviting them in; at nights by the huge lighted cross sign and the light streaming through the stained-glass windows and again the music and singing—and, of course and princi pally, by word of mouth. Once inside there is available to them a complete rehabilitation pro gram — from the first chapel service and the bowl of soup on through showers, fumigating of clothing, a bed, shave and haircut, medical care, counseling, clean clothes of every description, job-procuring and — the invitation to be re-bom in Christ. There is also a “half-way house” uptown where the men who have been rehabilitated and have secured a job can still remain under the aegis of the Bowery Mission, while paying nominal amount for a room to bolster their self-respect, until such time as they feel they can go back to their homes and once more take their places in a responsible, tax-paying world. Of course not every vagrant takes advantage of the full rehabilitation program; not every fellow kneels at the altar rail and accepts Christ. But a surprisingly large percentage do. Meanwhile, whatever help—material or spiritual — is given to the skid- row unfortunates is Christian work of a high order.
When the souls are fed with living Bread, drifters like this man are given warm nourishing meals. Comfortable living room of Uptown House, half-way point between gutter and home.
41
MAY, 1962
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