Our work began as a simple religious movement, with street preaching." "And with what effect ?" asked Mr.Dinneford.
"With good effect, in a limited number of cases, I trust.

In a degraded community like this there will always be some who had a different childhood from that of the crowds of young heathen who swarm its courts and alleys; some who in early life had religious training, and in whose memories were stored up holy things from Scripture; some who have tender and sweet recollection of a mother and home and family prayer and service in God's temples.

In the hearts of such God's Spirit in moving could touch and quicken and flush with reviving life these old memories, and through them bring conviction of sin, and an intense desire to rise out of the horrible pit into which they had fallen and the clay wherein their feet were mired.

Angels could come near to these by what of good and true was to be found half hidden, but not erased from their book of life, and so help in the work of their recovery and salvation.
"But, sir, beyond this class there is small hope, I fear, in preaching and praying.

The great mass of these wretched beings have had little or no early religious instruction.