Life and Missionary Labors in the Slums, Dives and Opium Joints of New York City…
Williamson, Mrs. Josephine S. Life and Missionary Labors in the Slums, Dives and Opium Joints of New York City. As told in numerous extracts from the secular and religious press. 1897.
8vo.; printed wrappers, stapled; lower panel absent, otherwise only light wear. In a specially made cloth slipcase.
First edition of this pamphlet printing 58 pages of extracts by and about Josephine S. Williamson and her missionary work among New York’s poor during the late 19th century, drawn from a range of sources including The Christian Herald, New York World, New York Recorder, The Missionary Worker, Our Homestead, New York News, Duane League Journal, Sabbath Reading, and the New York Tribune.
Williamson published this promotional brochure herself, in an attempt to garner material support for the establishment for a Home of Rest for Fallen Women: the following notice is printed on the final text leaf: “Any communication will read Mrs. Williamson, if addressed to Steinway, Long Island, N.Y.” In our copy, that address has been struck out in ink and corrected to “159 East 113th St. New York City.” Though we cannot verify that this is in Williamson’s own hand, it seems likely that she or a close colleague made the emendation.
The extracts are followed by two brief references by clergy. C. Wright, the Pastor of the Bedford Street Church, writes that Williamson is a member of his parish. “The Home, I am informed, is to be under the direction of a committee of competent ladies and not under the auspice of any Church. While not familiar with all the arrangements for the proposed Home, I nevertheless have confidence in the piety and devotion of Mrs. Williamson, and am pleased to write this letter commendatory of her Christian character.”
Geo. J. Mingins, the Pastor of the Union Tabernacle Church, adds that “her labors among the lowly, wretched and outcast, has been most successful. Her desire to maintain a Home of Rest for Fallen Women, is deserving of the sympathy and support of the Christian public, to whom I respectfully commend her, for her work’s sake.”
Irish-born Williamson emigrated to the States as a young woman and lived in New Jersey before attaching herself to the Margaret Strachan Home for Fallen Girls and a number of other homes in New York.
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