The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-01-19
THE ASSOCIATED CHARITIES.
Meeting of the Managers and visitors.

An important meeting of the Association
was held yesterday afternoon in the Council
Room, at which large number we're present.
| The President, Prentiss Loring, Esq, open
| ed the meeting by an admirable address set.
| ting forth the important work already done by
| the society in breaking up street begging and
| gathering information respecting the poor OF
the city, and dwelt also upon the important
| work of visitors in elevating the moral condi-
| ton of the poor. AT the conclusion of his ad.
dress he called upon J. R. Thompson of the
Provdent Association who gave sons interest
ing experience. Mr.. Baker followed with val
liable experience.
Mrs. Stevens was then called upon and in an
eloquent manner set forth what she consider
ed to be the great work of charity, namely the
elevation of the moral condition of the poor.
Mr.. Baxter was then called upon. He first
spoke of the great work the Associated
Charities had done in breaking up street beg
ging, and in getting the citizens of Portland
into the way of refusing relief to any unknown
applicant until information respecting him had
been obtained from the society, which shas its
trained corps of visitors fully competent to
learn his status, without loss of time, and then
continued by pointing out an equally import
ant work for the association to do, by giving
the following suggestions relative to making
class which relies at times upon charity self de-
pendent,
1t Is better not to announce ones;self as
member of a charitable society, but as friend
or neighbor, anxious to know as friend the
person called upon. Once acquainted with
the family, advice as to economy, industry and
thrift encouraging progress and discouraging
dependence apon others, as the great aim is to
teach self Dependence
BY learning the means of support one can
greatly aid family of ten by getting boy or
girl of a suitable age employment. Many do
not think OF self support, and, in such cases,
words of advice and direction will make
young person self supporting instead of being a
burden to his parents. Never miss teaching
on all occasions, that the resolution on the part
of man or woman to become skilled in their
employment acW bring better pay and that skill
IN everything is the secret Of success, One
should never forget for moment the true OBJ
ject of charity, which is not to crafty ones
sentiments, but only the good of the person
needing charity and the moral good is above
everything else. Many people think
that giving money is the touch
stone of true charitable feeling.
This is a great mistake; never give in cases
due wholly to thriftlessness, incidence and in
temperance, for, by giving, one only fosters
the very thing which it is absolutely necessary
to remove If success is expected.
There are many cases which only hard rem
dies can reach. Labor, economy, and temper
d?ace a0ak GteCdyS ensure success This is the
true text to preach from. One most excellent
element in this work has been made use of the
Portland Fraternity, by furnishing TO young
people CT the poorer class, pleasant reading
room; an evening school, and perhaps not
least, healthful amusements. The want of
these often drive young people to seek places
which lead to ruin. 1t is a pity that some
thing can not be done in the same way for
children OF larger growth; but, at present,
this may not be practicable. Visitors, howev-
er, can do much TO make the families they
visit happier by cheerful manners and pleas
ant advice. Perhaps nothing better can be
done in many cases than to get families occu-
pylng foul and dangerous tenements into
healthier and pleasanter quarters. Perhaps the
suggestions have made appear formidable,
but doubt If there is one family to each Of
our visitors, which needs the special help I
have suggested. Certainly each visitor could
look after single family well, without much
trouble. There are few who look after sew
eral. do not know how 1 can close better
tuau ny making tn0 following QuOJaLlOn from
the report of the Boston society. The para
graph is headed
THE GRAND RESULTS OF THIS WORK OF VOL
UNTEER VISITORS AMONG THE POOR.
The experience of the first years work of
our Associated Charities justifes US in fling
attention TO this fact or rather this great dIs-
covery, that gentleman or lady will, in a sur
prising proportion of cases, discern means to
help family into independence if he or she
goes into their homes and learns the whole
truth, what the various members of the family
can do or be made to do going there not only
not to give aims, but prohibited from doing so,
and therefore forced to study how to aid the
family towards self support
And will close by another quotation, name
ly:-"It is idle to enurnerate the causes which
can be removed by the counsel, the cheer, the
the sympathy, the brains of
gentleman or lady full of the strength and joy
OF life.'
AT the conclusion OF Mr.. Baxter's remarks
Rev. Mr.. Pheian gave some valuable expert
ence and eulogized the work of the Associa-
tion.
The Secretary then made an interesting state
ment OF cases which had been brought TO her
attention.
The meeting adjourned with the feeling
generally expressed that hereafter regular
meetings of the visitors would be fully attend
cd and the work SO well begun pushed on.