THE SAN FRANCISCO HELPING HAND MISSION.
The San Francisco Helping Hand and Medical Mission was established February 27, 1898. Its third anniversary was held at the mission, 641 Commercial Street, on the evening of February 27, and was a most successful reunion of the founders and patrons of the institution. The chapel was profusely decorated with evergreens, and presented a most attractive appearance. Early in the evening the many friends of the mission began to arrive, and long before the hour appointed for the exercises there was a crowded house. The first item on the program was the invocation, pronounced by Pastor B. F. Richards. “Ye nations all be joyful” was next rendered by a quartet, with excellent effect. Then came a recitation by Miss Minnie Brown, “The Wood-pile Test.” This remarkable piece, written in pure Hoosier vernacular, is realistic of simple, honest country life, and pathetic in its portrayal of the poor husband who begged, at the close of day, to be allowed to work that he might save “my missus and the young uns” from starvation. A solo, with quartet chorus, “The First Resurrection,” was followed by Pastor B. F. Richards, who took the place of Pastor M. C. Wilcox and Mr. C. H. Jones in the part allotted them on the program, “Founders’ Remarks.” Pastor Richards said that the idea of establishing a “Helping Hand Mission” originated with the Pacific Press Publishing Company. The project is a noble index of their philanthropy, and the great good that the mission has accomplished in the three years of its existence shows that their “bread has not been vainly cast upon the waters.” When the mission was under consideration, the chief of police of San Francisco was interviewed as to the point in the city where moral and physical help was most needed; and “Barbary Coast” was indicated. Accordingly two buildings were rented on Commercial and Kearney Streets, on the confines of “Barbary Coast” and “Chinatown.” These buildings had a notoriety and a history. They were first used as saloons, then as dance halls, then as a police court, and again as a brothel. Here the pugilist John L. Sullivan, on his visit to the Pacific Coast, established his headquarters and fought Paddy Ryan. The male quartet sang, “A Message from the King;” and the Helping Hand Mission Gospel work was taken up by Pastor B. F. Richards and Pastor J. W. McCord. Helping Hand Mission Gospel Work.
Pastor Richards, who was the first chaplain of the mission, gave an interesting history of its early Gospel13work, relating many of the remarkable conversions that took place during his pastorate. The relation of his early experiences was eagerly listened to, especially as he told of the strange circumstances which brought about the conversion of a saloon-keeper and circus-rider. He also dwelt on the moral influence of the mission in reuniting families, and in accomplishing other good works which only a place of this kind was able to do. Pastor J. W. McCord, the present chaplain, told of the later Gospel work of the mission. After relating many interesting instances of Helping Hand conversions, he pointedly dwelt on the silent influences of the mission Gospel work. Quoting from Eccl. 11:1, he said, “Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.” Men attended the mission Gospel services, many of them dropping in accidentally, and were converted. Then “they folded their tents like the Arabs, and as silently stole away.” Nobody in the mission knew of their departure or their destination. They visited strange cities, and months afterward came news of their whereabouts, with the assurance that they had cause to bless the night of their conversion at the Helping Hand Mission. One of the examples given was the case of a man who, on landing at one of the wharves, broken down by dissipation and dispirited, plodded his weary way up Commercial Street. He entered some of the places on this street, but found nothing that could place a ray of hope in his breast. Trudging farther west, he noticed in large letters the words, “Helping Hand Mission.” “Ha!” cried he, “this is just what I sorely need, a ‘helping hand.’” He attended the mission services, and at their conclusion was greeted by the chaplain with a warm handshake. He left the mission almost as silently as he had entered, and in a few days wended his way northward, in the direction of Seattle. Overtaken one night by darkness, and overcome by fatigue, he sought rest in a lumber pile, and there, in darkness and solitude, the words of hope and love heard at the Helping Hand Mission came to him with all their burning force. He fell on his knees, confessed his sins to the great Father of mercies, and there and then promised to lead a Christian life. He is now in Seattle, where he gives continual testimony for God, praising Him for the mercy shown him when his steps were directed to the Helping Hand Mission of San Francisco. The quartet sang, “We thank Thee, O Father.” Pastor B. F. Richards called for testimonies from those converted in the Helping Hand Mission. Brother Hunt was the first to testify. He said: “I thought the ambition of my life was gained when I became a saloon-keeper, and stood behind the bar to serve men with strong drink. I now smoked cigarettes, increasing the number daily, until I became a cigarette fiend. In my saloon I soon found myself my own best customer, and one day it was the Lord’s will I should be stricken with paralysis. For eighteen months I lay bedridden and speechless; but since my stay at the Helping Hand Mission I have recovered the use of my speech and almost the use of my limbs. I have no desire for drink or cigarettes, and since I gave my heart to God in this mission, I am happier day by day.” Brother Shera said he had been a slave to drink and tobacco for forty-five years; but since his conversion at the Helping Hand Mission, seven months ago, he has had no desire for either. The Lord took away the desire. As Brother Adams, one of the earliest converts of the mission, and afterward one of its most prominent workers, was unavoidably absent, Superintendent Dolson said he would act as a substitute and give his testimony. During the early days of the mission, Brother Adams was taking life easy on one of the park benches nearby, when one of our workers, on going through the park distributing cards of invitation to our Gospel services, handed him one. Brother Adams thought he would attend and see what these services were like; and was so impressed with them and the testimonies given, that, with three others, he came forward and found Christ. For nearly three years he was an active and efficient mission worker. He is now married, and the proprietor of a California orchard. The superintendent also gave testimony for a man converted at the mission, and now a prominent Christian worker in the Hawaiian Islands. This man came to San Francisco from an adjoining state. Thru business failures he had become discouraged, and had deserted his family. Coming to San Francisco penniless, he sought assistance at the mission, and for three months was one of its bed-makers. He attended the Gospel meetings, but seemed unmoved by the services. He obtained employment on a transport, and on arriving at the Hawaiian Islands, secured a good government position. The seed sown at the mission had already germinated, and the ear grew rapidly. He soon became an active Christian worker. In a warm and kindly letter to the superintendent of the Helping Hand Mission, he said he had determined to devote the rest of his life to the service of the Lord. Secretary and Treasurer’s Report.
Mr. E. E. Parlin, Secretary and Treasurer, read his report for the three years beginning with the opening of the mission, February 27, 1898: Penny dishes served, 1,524,313; lodgings given, 107,594; free baths, 25,233; garments given away, 7,140; free penny dishes served, 379,220; free lodgings given, 59,505; number of men granted use of free laundry, 6,647; medical treatments given, 6,602; surgical operations performed, 232; medical and surgical examinations, 2,539; Gospel meetings held, 1,095; the attendance at these meetings, 75,903; Bible-classes held, 766; the attendance at these classes, 13,036; persons requesting prayers, 10,374; professed conversions, 2,084; Bibles and Testaments given away, 224; men furnished temporary employment, 30,996; men furnished permanent positions, 1,434; literature distributed, 108,000 pages. Pastor J. O. Corliss made some interesting remarks on the Secretary’s report. He dwelt on the large amount of practical good done by the mission; estimating its total cost for three years at $30,000, yet of this large amount less than $700 had been donated, and the present deficit is about $400. Pastor Corliss dwelt on the vast amount of good accomplished by the mission at such a trifling expense to the California Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association; and in his appeal for the liquidation of the debt, said the association would thereby be enabled to continue the good work without the annoyance of financial embarrassment. A collection was taken up toward the payment of the mission’s debt, which amounted to $55; and if friends desire to help this missionary enterprise in San Francisco, subscriptions may be sent to the Helping Hand Mission, 641 Commercial Street, San Francisco; to the Pacific Press Publishing Company, Oakland; or to Mr. E. E. Parlin, Secretary and Treasurer of the California Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, 1436 Market Street, San Francisco. Superintendent Dolson spoke of the class of men converted in the mission. The bread of this world is offered in one hand, and the bread of life in the other. By this means many of the lost and needy ones in the large cities are reached and reclaimed. The number of men furnished positions thru the Helping Hand Free Employment Office conclusively showed the necessity for such an institution in a large city, where strangers from all parts of the world arrive, in very many instances in a state of destitution. “I shall relate,” he said, “an incident in my own life where I needed a helping hand. I left my home in Indiana when a young man. On leaving, mother said, ‘God bless you, my boy; and when you want money, write to me.’ When I arrived at Cincinnati, I had just $9 in my pocket. I went to a cheap hotel, paid $8 for two weeks’ board, and had one dollar left for car fare, and to purchase the morning papers in order to see by the advertisements where to look for employment. I got up at 4 o’clock every morning, looked over the ‘Help Wanted’ column, and then applied for work. Being unsuccessful thru the advertisements, I sought employment in almost every business and commercial house in the city, but at the end of the two weeks I found myself without employment, and without a five-cent piece. My clothes were getting worn, and my linen needed the laundry. I was in a strange city, without means, friends, or employment, too proud to write home for money, and was glad to get out of Cincinnati, in the depth of winter, in the shelter of a box-car, to reach Pittsburg, Pa., where I fortunately found immediate employment. A helping hand mission in Cincinnati at that time would have been a blessing to me. “Again, many respectable men fall into poor circumstances, and when sick, can not find shelter. Really, these men are to be pitied. An instance in my life I dare say represents hundreds, and more likely, thousands of cases. On one occasion I became sick in Chicago, without money and without medical attendance. I happened to see the sign, ‘Free Dispensary’ over the door of the Pacific Garden Mission. I entered and received medical treatment, after which I received an invitation to attend the evening Gospel services. I did attend the meeting, and was one of those who went forward for prayers. I found Christ, and thank God for keeping me to this day.” Do Men Appreciate the Mission’s Kindness?
Do men appreciate the benefits received at the Helping Hand Mission? While ingratitude is a factor in all grades of society, very many appreciate the kindness shown them. It would take too long to go over the list of “gratefuls,” but here are two typical cases: A man who had secured a place thru the Helping Hand Employment Office asked the fee required for getting him the situation. The answer was, “Nothing; but if you desire to donate anything, it shall be used in connection with the employment office.” He donated $10, and this enabled the mission to get out ten dollars’ worth of employment-office cards, which were sent to the merchants and business men of the city. Another case—a recent one—is that of a man assisted for three weeks. He came to find the amount of his bill. He was told that as he did a few hours’ work daily, there was no bill against him. “Here,” he said, “are $10 to help somebody else.” In closing the meeting, Brother J. A. Dolson acknowledged the blessing of the Lord which had attended the reunion, and thanked those who, by their presence, had helped to make it a success. He called the attention of the audience to the motto on the wall, prepared for the occasion: “Be not weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” They could not do better than rise and sing the doxology, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.”