OPENING OF THE 'DOOR OF HOPE.'

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10176, 6 July 1896, Page 3

OPENING OF THE 'DOOR OF HOPE.'

On Saturday afternoon the' Door of Hope,' Cook-street, Freeman's Bay, was formally opened, in the presence of a large assemblage, by Mrs. Holland, wife of His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. J. Holland), who, in opening the door of the institution, said: ' 1 declare this "Door of Hope" duly opened for a night refuge and home for women, in the name of the Triune God.' An adjournment was then made to the large dining-room, where tho compauy assembled, and the Mayor presided. Among those present were the Revs. W. Sinclair. W. J. Williams, H. R. Dewsbury, Mitchell, F. Warner, G. 15. Monro, Rabbi Goldstein, Mr. Mcpherson (Presbyterian City Missionary), Adjutant Sharp, of Salvation Army, Dr. King, Messrs. W. If. Smith, A. C. Brown, Theo. Cooper, Frith, Benton, Tomline, and a number of ladies who take an interest in social reform work v The proceedings commenced with tlu singing of the hymn ' There are louely hearts to cherish while the days are going by,'alter which the Rev. W. Sinclair engaged in prayer. The Secretary, Mr. John Douglas, made his report. He stated that the total contributed was £402 lis Gd. He was grateful to the friends for all lie help rendered in connection with the Home. It would be in their recollection that the building first purchased was burned down. The present building was much more suitable in every respect. They were about £300 short in order to clear the whole debt off, to have a free hand, to owe no man anything, and to pave the way for future extension. Some people thought the Home too well fitted up, but most of the furnishing had been gifts. The Chairman (the Mayor) said he was clad to be back from Wellington iu time to he present at the opening of an institution which had been appropriately termed ' The Door of Hope.' The building was well suited for its purpose, of restoring the erring ones who came to its threshold, us they would feel there was again a prospect of a future before them, and of being brought back from a life of shame. Sister Francis would also find it a Doov of Hope in being supported by the public with their sympathy and co-operation. Although Auckland had been represented as being worse in immorality than other cities, lie did not think so. At the Municipal Association's Conference in Wellington, there were '25 Mayors present. He brought forward a motion to suppress juvenile immorality, and they all had the same complaint to make of the sad state of affairs in their own localities, recognised the necessity for some steps being taken, and heartily supported his motion. Mr. Theo. Cooper said he had great pleasure in being present at the opening of the Door of Hope. In his professional experience he had known cases where a little help would have saved those who fell. In our present state of civilisation it was looked upon as unforgivable for a girl to sin in this manner, while the man who betrayed her suffered no social disability. Such conduct was not Christ-like, nor human. He had known cases where the girl was not inherently vicious, but had been tempted, and fell through her love for the tempter. The male tempter went scot free, while tho deceived girl or woman had a ban put upon her whole future life. Till a few years ago such a girl or woman might have written over her future 'Abandon Hope.' On eutering the 'Door of Hope opened that day such wandering and fallen ones would be comforted, and restored to a better life for the time to come. The blessing of God would rest upon such a home, for in the words of the Divine Founder of our religion, 1 Inasmuch as did it to the least of these My sisters ye did it unto Me.' The Rev. H. R. Dewsbury said ho was there to show his sympathy with a Christlike work, it was, if any work was, applied Christianity. He was glad to learn it was unsectarian, and that no question of creed would be asked, that all that would be considered was a case of distress and a desire on the part of the recipient of help to lead a better life. The Rev. Mr. Mitchell then sang a sacred solo,' .Jesus, Saviour, pilot Me.' Mr. W. H. Smith desired to state that their Jewish brethren had been most liberal. Mr. Arthur Nathan had alone given the six beds in the dormitories. Drs. King and Moir, in addition to fiuancial help, had offered to act as hon. medical men to the Ho would distribute a number of 'canaries'— method of obtaining uiouey much used by tho Salvation Army—and if those present would fill them up for such amounts as they thought fit to give, he would announce the total at the close of the meeting. For the information of visitors he might mention l hat the trustees of the institution were Messrs. J. Douglas, A. C. Brown, and W. H. Smith ; and the Ladies' Advisory Committee, Mesdames Lindsay, Dewsbury, Culpan, W. H. Smith, J. McK'enzie, H. M.Smeeton, and Murray. The Rev. G. B. Monro said the first question to his mind was, Was there need for such an institution ? From his longresideuco in Auckland he believed there was. He had occasion, when attending Presbytery or public meetings, to return to his suburban home late at night, and from what he saw on the streets, he thought some reformatory work was necessary. If other cities were as bad as Auckland they were indeed bad enough. Some people thought that as the erring made their bed they should lie on it, and the way of the transgressor should be hard. That was not the spirit of Christianity. He was glad to see that their Jewish brethren were so active and practical in this work of benevolence. Tho Door of Hope was now opened, and he hoped that the Auckland public would support it and see that it was efficiently maintained. Rabbi Goldstein expressed pleasure at seeing such a representative gathering, and that the movement was being taken hold of by the various denominations. Some people did not believe in homes of refuge, but he did, and that there was a need for them. They needed to try and restore those who had fallen. The promoters of the Door of Hope had received somo help for the institution from the Jewish people. His own congregation would assist them to wife off the debt, and he would do his best to further that object. He hoped the Door of Hope would accomplish the work for which it had been established, and that the girls who had been led away from the right path might be brought under its good and healthy influences. Rev. F. Warner said he represented 3000 Christian Endeavourers, who set their hands to Christian work, and therefore sympathised with the present movement. He could only say, ' God speed the Door of Hope,' and may it be a door of hope to many. Sister Francis welcomed the visitors to the Home, and thanked the speakers for the kind words used. In her outdoor work she had been greatly hampered, as she had occasion to speak to girls about their lives, and yet had no place to which she could take them out of their evil surroundings. She referred to one woman who had been rescued from drink, and whose conduct was now satisfactory. Adjutant Sharp (Salvation Army) said the Salvation Army had had a great deal to do with this class of work, and would sympathise and aid all who were engaged iii it as far as possible. He knew girls wnn imd been about the worst in Auckland, living in brothels, if not keeping them, who \ve:e now useful members of society, and a bussing to those around them. This should encourage the friends of the Door of Hope to labour on, until the social evil which was the disgrace of the city was wiped out. Mr. Smith here announced that the 1 canaries' had been called in, and the total received was from £40 to £50. Afternoon tea was then dispensed to the visitors, and they were invited to go over the building and inspect the rooms and arrangements. The Helping Hand Mission Band, under the conductorship of Mr. J. Culpan, was stationed in the grounds, and performed a number of musical selections during the afternoon.