A Mission Church.
Rev. Geo. C. Howe, Charleston, S.c.
The work at Tradd Street Mission in our city is carried on now in just the same way as since its organization. After Sunday-school is over at Plymouth Church, about 11 o'clock, a number of our young people, including the Pastor, Superintendent Herron and Miss Deas, who acts as organist, go immediately to the mission about a mile away, and conduct the Sunday-school there. We have eight classes, with an average attendance of eleven to a class. One class is composed of adults. We finish work there at one o'clock. On Thursday night, I go down and preach, and in case I am unable to go, Deacon Hollens takes the service for me.
Last Thursday night, an Irishman about thirty-five years old came in while we were singing, and when I began to speak on the temptations of Christ, he sat and listened in open-mouthed wonder. Before I finished he arose and came forward, his eyes glistening with tears, and gave me his hand, saying: "I belong to the Catholic Church, but they never told me that truth from the Word, never explained it that way. That is the truth, I know it. I was just going after a drink, but I shall not do it now. I thank you, and hope I have not intruded by coming in." It was quite an incident to see a strong man of an opposite race and creed, in a place where the "Jews desire to have no dealing with the Samaritans," coming up and acknowledging with tears that he had never heard the truth of God's word before.