"I wish I could picture to you the dying of an immigrant at the Immigrant Station. On one side knelt the Matron, and on the other side Miss Ford, a Methodist deaconess, and before him an interpreter reading from a Testament in his own language. The Matron held her hands in the attitude of prayer, the dying man smiled and nodded his head yes, indicating that he understood her and would pray. This was the last comfort the dying stranger received—a Jew reading our Master's Words to him and the prayers of two Christian women."
At a Conference of the workers and of the missionaries and others interested in the work at Philadelphia, it was voted that as soon as practicable the Committee of Six should consider a definite plan for organizing the missionary work at the Philadelphia Port. There was a great desire for unity and efficiency in this service. There was unanimous agreement that it would be wise, if possible, to organize the work at this time so as to be definitely prepared for effective service, and to meet whatever conditions may arise in the immigration problem in the near future. This Conference also approved the proposition to appoint in each port city a Local Advisory Committee through which the missionary work could be supervised.
The greatest decrease last year (June 30, 1915) was in non-skilled or miscellaneous workers.
| 1914. | 1915. | |
| Farm Laborers | 288,053 | 27,723 |
| Laborers | 226,407 | 48,351 |
| Servants | 144,409 | 39,774 |
Of the number admitted in 1899–1900, sixty-per cent. settled in five states, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
The Philadelphia Immigration
Station
Missionaries and Workers