New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-22
THE CHILDREN'.S FRIENDS.

A casual conjecture made by THE TRIBUNE
week or two ago as TO the person with
whom probably originated the idea Of that beau
tiful charity, the Children's Week, has brought
some touching and suggestive facts to light.
A few years ago lady living near
Philadelphia, who is by profession a
Friend, and who, we think, IS known as
such to Nature, God and all Of His helpless,
hurt creatures who come in her way, met a
sick child who had lost herself in the street
one hot summer day: took her to her homo
in an alley, and, seeing how miserable 1t was.
asked her mother to let the child go with her
TO her country home for q visit. The very
next day, at meeting of Progressive Friends
in Delaware County, she proposed that her
friends and neighbors, the farmers and their
wives then present, should each ask
some poor child or mother and child for
week or two. There were many objections
it would bring disease and vice TO their own
"ohildren"; it "wOuld be impossible to find
"proper recipients of such bounty" etc. etc;
but one woman, known as little fanatical
In her care of her children, rose and said
energetically, she "wouId take two of these
"poor babies if she had to tie her own up
five poor little waits were brought out
of the sitting, poisonous air OF the
alleys into the beautiful country that year;
this summer one thousand The farmers who
invited that Sunday are still inviting, and
hearty enduring friendships have often been
established between the hosts and the guests.
The officers Of the society have given up this
year their summer holiday, spending their
dog days in town, in the alleys from which
they gather these children.
Now here Is the most curious part Of the
story When our friend rose that Sunday to
propose her new plan to her neighbOrs, she
heard, to her surprise and pleasure, that it was
already in successful operation in Boston.
having been introduced there by clergyman
and his sister. 1t was also in use in Copen-
hagen, Denmark. A year later modification
Of the same plan called the Fresh Air Fund,
was put in successful operation in this city. A
clergyman in ew-Jersey, not having heard
of these undertakings conceived q somewhat
different and more. elaborate plan, which he
submitted to the readers of religious jour
nal His plan, by the way. is an excellent
one, and deserves trial. 1t Is that q city and
country church should combine to prove
their faith by their works OF mutual charity.
The city church should provide fund
or building to succor receive such cases
as its colleague may send in of illness re-
quiring medical treatment, young men or
women seeking employment, or render such
other brOtherly and Christian aid as may be
called for. The country church should on Its
part provide building for a summer hOspi-
tai to which the poor or sick in town need
ing pure air may be sent.
This plan Is so different In its scope from
that of the Children's Week in Philadelphia
and Boston and the Fresh Air Fund here that
there is plenty of room for both. There u.s.
however, certain advantage in keeping the |
first-named charities free from any sectaran |
influence. They are general, human, Chris |
tau. We are glad, too, that 1t is
impossible to find any single person with |
whom this idea originated. 1t is much better |
to know that the same fine, tender fancy |
came to so many good people at once, in |
NewEngland. and away off in |
Copenhagen, and that the poor children In
sown have not one good friend, but many.