OUR HELPING HAND MISSION.
By C. H. Jones
We had hoped that ere this paper went to press we could announce the opening of our Helping Hand Mission, at 641 Commercial Street, San Francisco, but in this we are disappointed. However, we can assure our readers that we have not been idle. The buildings were found to be in a very dilapidated condition, and it was needful that they be thoroughly renovated from top to bottom. The walls have been scraped, the woodwork cleaned, and now plasterers, calciminers, paper-hangers, painters, etc., are busy at work putting on the finishing touches. Then will come the plumbing, fitting up the restaurant, furnishing the sleeping apartments, etc. It will take at least a week or ten days longer to finish the work, but when it is done, the buildings will be neat and clean, and the Mission complete in all its appointments. A cement floor has been laid in the basement of one of the buildings, and here will be located the bath-rooms, laundry, drying-room, etc., all of which will be free to those who wish to make use of them. The other basement will be used for work-rooms and storage. The chapel will occupy the first floor of the east building, and here Gospel meetings will be held every night of the year. The first floor of the west building will be used for a restaurant, where good meals will be served for five cents, and free to those who are not able to pay. The two upper floors of both buildings will be used for a dormitory and treatment-rooms, and will accommodate about two hundred persons. So far the work has been nearly all done by volunteer service, which is greatly appreciated; but from this time on it will be necessary to employ more skilled labor. The ladies of the Oakland and San Francisco churches are actively at work making up bedding and assisting in various ways. An order has already been placed for fifty double-deck iron bedsteads, and these will be added to from time to time, as necessity requires. Our call for money, bedding, clothing, provisions, etc., is meeting with a hearty response; all the way from Maine to California, but still there is room. The expense of fitting up these buildings is going to be very heavy—more than we at first anticipated; but we know that there are thousands who will want a share in the good work. Here is a letter just received from a brother which will show what one church is doing:— SIGNS OF THE TIMES HELPING HAND MISSION, 641 Commercial Street, San Francisco, Cal.—Dear Brethren: I ship to-day nine boxes of fruit, honey, clothing, bedding, etc., and prepay the freight on same. It is donated by the brethren of the —— church and friends of the cause. We have many other things in preparation. We are going to try to district the entire vicinity and canvass for supplies and everything needful for the Mission. Please write us at once, and let us know the most pressing needs of the institution, and we will do our best to assist you. I mean give us a list of the most needed articles. I am chairman of the Christian Help Work Band here, and will place the needs before our brethren. Your brother in the work. And here is another of like import:— B. F. RICHARDS—Dear Brother: Shipped by to-day's, January 20, freight, one box of clothing to the Helping Hand Mission, 641 Commercial Street, San Francisco. The box contains bedclothing sufficient to dress one of the 200 beds, 10 pounds of raisins, also a number of articles of clothing. It is the request of the Hanford Missionary Society that the bed be called the “Hanford bed.” HANFORD MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
Such letters as these are a source of great encouragement, and many more of like import might be given. Now are there not others who would esteem it a privilege to “endow a bed,” or help in some other way? Remember, it is all for the poor and the needy, and the Master has said, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord, and that which he hath given will He pay him again.” Prov. 19:17. Here is God’s promissory note. Who will invest? Cash donations, and anything in the shape of bedding, clothing, provisions, etc., will be thankfully received and duly acknowledged. All donations of money or supplies will be used strictly for mission work, and should there be more than enough for this Mission, it will be used in other places as the Lord may direct. Send all moneys to Helping Hand Mission, care SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Twelfth and Castro Streets, Oakland, Cal., and all provisions, clothing, blankets, etc., to Helping Hand Mission, 641 Commercial Street, San Francisco, Cal. C. H. JONES.