The Bay State Monthly — Volume 1, No. 4, April, 1884Various
History
The Bay State Monthly — Volume 1, No. 4, April, 1884
Various
Massachusetts -- Periodicals; New England -- Periodicals
Let us sketch a case: We have received word that John ---- is to arrive
from G---- by such a train. During the journey, thoughts of the dear
ones he has left crowd upon him. He is already sick for home, as he
looks about him and sees no familiar face. He has left harbor for the
first time. All before him is uncertain: all about him strange. He
reaches the city; friends are there at the station to welcome this and
that one of his fellow-travelers. He knows no one. No one cares for his
coming. No one? Yes, there is a young man scanning closely the faces
which pass. Suddenly his eye encounters our traveler, and at once the
question: "Are you John ----? 'Tis well. I am from the Association. We
are expecting you." Together they go to the building, and, even before
reaching it, our stranger is not quite a stranger. One man at least is
interested in him. "This is the building." "What, this fine place ready
to welcome me? Why, this is grand!" Here, too, is the electric light,
but not baneful this, no wrecker's false gleam, but like the light upon
the pier, showing safe entrance and anchorage. "This is our secretary.
Mr. D., this is John ----." "Glad to see you. Had you a pleasant journey?
What can we do for you? You want a boarding-place! Well, here is the
book. What can you pay? Very well, Mrs. B. has a vacancy and it is just
the place you want. I will send some one with you there. Your
recommendation was such that we have found a situation for you, and they
will be ready to see you to-morrow. We have an entertainment this
evening, and I shall be glad to introduce you to several young men."
Imagine, if you can, what such an introduction to city life is to a
young man, and what is his coming to the city without it. He is no
stranger now. He has found comfort, companionship, sympathy, occupation.
His heart goes home indeed, but it is in thankfulness that he writes and
describes his surroundings, and glad is he at the close of the evening
to join with others in, prayer and thanksgiving to his mother's God, for
the blessings of the Association; and later, in the quiet of his own
room, he renews his thanks, sleeps peacefully, and, full of hope, takes
hold of work in the morning. He is directed to the church of his choice
and is introduced to the pastor. Thus, at the very first, he is
surrounded by good influences in a city where thousands are on the watch
with every allurement to tempt just such strangers to destruction of
both soul and body. Should John ---- be ready, in his turn, to help
others, work enough can be found for him in one of the several
departments of social or spiritual life.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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