Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-11-14

Reported for the Free Press and Times.
yomeu's Works OF Charity and hercy---Ihe Late
National Convention OF Women's CHRISTIAN
Associations.
A Conference of Women's Christian As
sociations was recently held in Philadel-
mia. the second conference Of the kind that
has been held in this country. Between
twenty and thirty associations reported
themselves, most of them by delegates.
Many of the principal cities of the Union
were thus represented. None but delegates
or managers were invited to be present, the
object being to obtain better acquaintance
with each other methods of working, and
to strengthen each other with mutual coun-
sci and encouragement.
The meetings were held in the vestry oil
the Arch street church, and began oct.
Nth, continuing for three days. The first
afternoon was occupied in organizing, and
arranging preliminary business. Mrs. re-
lix Brunot, of Pittsburg, was chosen Presi-
dent of the Conference. The other oihcers
elected were from Boston, Philadelphia,
Washington and st. Louis. In the evening
public services were held in the Arch street
church, when the ladies were addressed by
Ri. Rev. Bishop Stevens. DR.. A Nlilets'
Rev. ]. p. Kerr and Others.
The second day, Wednesday, was oeeu-
pied by the reports of the different assoela-
tions. The result showed long list OF IN
stitntions for the benefit Of the poor, the
friendless. the outcast, the aged and iniirm.
the forsaken children, and indeed for almost
every class Of suffering humanity whom
sncb .uccor could relieve. \ prominent
i5co with most of the associations seemed
TO be that Of helping those who are doing
their hes. to help themselves, of giving
needful aid at the right moment, and max
ing charity the encOurager and promoter OF
industry and virtue Conspicuous among
the institutions thus established are the
boarding houses for young women, whose
inmates obtain the comforts OF home at
prices within very limited means, and are
thus saved in many cases from discourage
meut and ruin. Great pains seem to be
taken to make these homes cheerful ana
pleasant. often at the sacrifice OF much
time and thoughtful effort on the part OF
those to whom life would seem to o1er
,reat attractions in other directions. An
other institution is the coffee house, or
dinin, room. where meals are furnished
daily. Of good quality, and at prices within
the reach Of the narrowest purse. This has
l. ba1r m. women
who we're suffering in health for want OF
suitable food These places have been made
50 attractive as to invite in many persons
who might otherwise have been tempted tc
enter resorts where temptation awaited
them which they were TOO weak TO resist. In
some places a temporary lodging house, OF
temporary home, designed for the accom-
mediation of persons who cannot lmmedl-
atelv arrange for themselves more perma-
nent accommodations. is found very useful
In pittsburg a committee waits at the rail
road depot to meet persons IN need OF dlrec-
ton or help. and, if necessary, take them
To the temporary home. There are also,
under the care of these associations, en-
plovment Offices industrial schools, funds
for the relief of the poor. In some places
preaching services are maintained by them
and Bible classes or prayer meetings; They
also employ city missionaries, and BlDlt
readers. In fact it would be vain toattempi
here herecital Of all the various forms OF
work that are thus undertaken and carried
on. often with great success. y large pro
portion Of these institutions, though the
buildings they occupy are sometimes quite
extensive. are free from debt. Some Of the
societies, however, find great dlihculty II
obtaining the necessary funds for then
work.
No one of the reports. perhaps, excited
more interest than the one from Kansas City
Missouri. The delegates had travelled day
and night, and arrived trayel-worn anc
weary to tell their story. The great tide
| of emigration that sets through that gate
way of the West renders their work ne
ce~sity, and yet it is accomplished under
| the greatest diSc0ura gements. The appeal.
made to their sympathy are constant anc
! irresistible. but their nature Is 50 various
/ that the difficulty of systcmatlzlng th'
| work adds to the greatness OF the burden
while such Is the demand for all the money
| in circulation to aid in building up the in
/ situations necessary to the prosperity OF thu
new city. that it is almost impossible to oh
| tain the means whereby their charitable
/ mission can be made effective. Still they
pcrsevere. and thus far help has often CONT
| to them at the darkest moment.
The evening of this day was spent in ;
/ pleasant social reunion in which gentle
men were invited to participate
The morning of Wednesday was Occu
pied in the reading Of papers on subject
connected with the workings Of the asso
Citations and discussion of the topics thu
suggested. 1t should be mentioned that tn
morning session of each day was preceded
] I J 81 vi hose
ed to linger in all the exercises that follow
ed. The afternoon of this day was takeI
no with the closing business of the confer
ence. the last half hour being also occupied
/ ly a devotional meeting. The session wa:
agreably prolonged by an unexpected visit
! from some members OF the Evangelical Al
| lance. three of whom, the Rev. DR.. Arnot
/ of Edinburgh, Rev c. d. Marston, Nical
/ of ST. Pauls. London. Rev. L. c. Berkeley
! of LurgaL. Ireland, addressed the ladle'
with a few brief and appropriate remarks
The graceful hospitality Of the ladies o
| Philadelphia added greatly to the pleasant
| impressions which these meetings viii have
in the memories of the delegates from othel
/ cities. An elegant lunch was served a
noon on Wednesday and Thursday. Invi
tations were extended to delegates 10 visi
! the various charitable institutions of thu
city. and to drive around Paramount Park
They were also invited by Gov. Pollock t
visit the Mint and many Of the ladies glad
/ ly ayailed themselves of these opportunl
ties.
The impression left on the minds of thost
who were present at this Conference Is tina
| those Associations are accomplishing ia,
greater amount of Christian work thar
had before been realized, and also that Their
lies before them a vast field Of labor, to b
/ filed by no other agency, noble and mos
necessary work to be done. if 50 they will
| L. Ill.r.-tin-n ,rornnr,