Agricultural colonies; Poor -- Great Britain; Salvation Army; Unemployed -- Great Britain
J. T.--Born in Ireland; well educated (commercially); clerk and
accountant. Early in life joined the Queen's Army, and by good conduct
worked his way up. Was orderly-room clerk and paymaster's assistant in
his regiment. He led a steady life whilst in the service, and at the
expiration of his term passed into the Reserve with a "very good"
character. He was a long time unemployed, and this appears to have
reduced him to despair, and so to drink. He sank to the lowest ebb,
and came to Westminster in a deplorable condition; coatless, hatless,
shirtless, dirty altogether, a fearful specimen of what a man of good
parentage can be brought to. After being at Shelter some time, he got
saved, was passed to Workshops, and gave great satisfaction.
At present he is doing clerical work and gives satisfaction as a workman:
a good influence in the place.
J. S.--Born in London, of decent parentage. From a child he
exhibited thieving propensities; soon got into the hands of the police,
and was in and out of gaol continually. He led the life of a confirmed
tramp, and roved all over the United Kingdom. He has been in penal
servitude three times, and his last term was for seven years, with
police supervision. After his release he married a respectable girl,
and tried to reform, but circumstances were against him; character he
had none, a gaol career only to recommend him, and so he and his wife
eventually drifted to destitution. They came to the Shelter, and asked
advice; they were received, and he made application to the sitting
Magistrate at Clerkenwell as to a situation, and what he ought to do.
The Magistrate helped him, and thanked the Salvation Army for its
efforts in behalf of him and such as he, and asked us to look after the
applicant. A little work was given him, and after a time a good
situation procured. To-day they have a good time; he is steadily
employed, and both are serving God, holding the respect and confidence
of neighbours, etc.
E. G.--Came to England in the service of a family of position,
and afterwards was butler and upper servant in several houses of the
nobility. His health broke down, and for a long time he was altogether
unfit for work. He had saved a considerable sum of money, but the cost
of doctors and the necessaries of a sick man soon played havoc with his
little store, and he became reduced to penury and absolute want.
For some time he was in the Workhouse, and, being discharged,
he was advised to go to the Shelter. He was low in health as well as
in circumstances, and broken in spirit, almost despairing. He was
lovingly advised to cast his care upon God, and eventually he was
converted. After some time work was obtained as porter in a City
warehouse. Assiduity and faithfulness in a year raised him to the
position of traveller. Today he prospers in body and soul, retaining
the respect and confidence of all associated with him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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