Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 January 1894 — Churches as Shelters. [ARTICLE]

Churches as Shelters.

Dr John A. B. Wilson, a New York minister, delivered a stirring sermon Sunday on the destitution of the poor in that city. Between 40,000 and 50, 000 men, ho declared, walked the streets shelterless every night. “Let us see to it,” ho finally said, “that, if no other home can be provided for the shelterless, the churches shall be opened to them, no (natter what the inconvenience to ourselves. It was done centuries ago, why not do it now? Open the churches to-the people day and night, for sitting-rooms, for readinsrrooms, for, ledging-rooms, for warmth and shelter Who ever deemed it 'sacrilege during the war. when church buildings were converted into hospitals sos 'the wounded? There is now no holier use to put them to under heaven or in heaven than to open them to these poverty-stricken and wounded brethren of our Lord and ours "