The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-11-21


ed and well-organized work in the preven-
ton of pauperism, and the relief of the
worthy poor
The principles upon which Charity Re-
lief Associations are founded are such as
should be noted by the householder, cal
culated as they eminently are TO prevent
and relieve distress.
Indeed, in much of our charity we do not
preceHt distress, but relieve it only Cor the
time. The first principle that should be
learned, in order to prevent as well as re-
lieye, is, to see that full and persistent i'll
vestigations are made into every case and
upon all applications for aid; and, closely
following this, there comes, as a corollary,
that vagrancy and indiscriminate giving
are to be everywhere discountenanced, and
thus we lay foundation corner stone for
success.
If the applicant proves worthy, we are
to seek and furnish employment, if we pos
sibly can, and carry out the objects of these
societies by promoting the general welfare
of the poor by educational, social, and re-
ligious instrumentalities
All this requires patience and painstak-
ing care upon our part, and it is partially
owing to the lack of real charity of citizens
that the dreadful pauperism of the present
day is as widespread as tits in this country.
Applicants, in these associations, are re-
ferred to the existing charities of the city
suited to each case.
In our large cities, where such associa-
tions exist, every householder should pro-
vide him or herself with coupon tickets,
referring applicants to the ward office,
where their wants will be inquired into
and attended to. If able-bodied mendi-
cants are found begging, after the offer of
ticket, the police may be called upon to
arrest them, and have them lodged in the
work house, and thus add lesson in in
dustry.
These associations are doing a great work
for good, and every honest citizen should
give them his support. The New York
Society," last year, spent $40, 1861 wholly
on machinery and agents. Six district
officers were maintained at an average cost
of 81 ,025.34, and central agent and his
equipment has cost about as much more.
Many well-meaning persons feel that
they cannot turn the beggar from their
door without help. But let such remem-
Der the Apostolic words: IF any will not
work, neither let him eat. INSTRUCTED
charity always returns to the community
with curse instead of blessing.
Vagrancy leads to crime; that is what
we must learn. Labor is necessity of eX-
istence. If the heart or other organs of
the body ceased their functions, where
would earthly existence be to human life?
He, then, who encourages the tramp by
indiseriminate giving, is encouraging crime,
and is a possible partaker in evil deeds
And so we ask, What good are Sunday
Breakfasts going to do, if they merely fill
the tramp with food and pious advice, and
then let him go on his way rejoicing, with
ont work, or earning his other meals? Un-
less Sunday Breakfasts and the like go
further than this. and really bring about a
reform in the applicant, or lead him i'll
channel to reform, they are nothing more
than indiserininate alms-giyers on large
scale, and. therefore, in worse form. Such
is not the scientific method of Charity Re
lief Associations.
A letter from member of the Chicago So
ciety says: Much practical work has been
done by this society since October, 1888,
W hen the offices were opened. Many have
been aided to become self-supporting;
many, who had learned to live ON charity,
have been lifted out of the slough, and
pushed on firm land. Frauds have been ex-
posed; and many others, who only need
ed sympathy and encouragement to rise in
life, have been aided i'll self-respeet, and
shake off evil habits, Incidence, etc, to
value character, and to love those who
came to them, not with aims but as
friends. -
1t may easily be seen how closely this
work-the relief of the poor--is connected
with sanitation With this relief, cleanli-
ness is insisted upon, and takes the place
Ol tnTl, Hticsb IlNl1lSS7 THAT vi 'piih'AtSh,
and order that of chaos. Let every
worthy citizen bear his share of the bur
den, and let wisdom go with benevolence,
science with kindheartedness. Otherwise,
our good intentions are a snare, DEUS
ion, and moekery. Teach and instil
into a man or woman personal sanitation,
neatness, and habits of industry and per
severance, economy and honesty and
such an one will soon leave uncleanly
abodes, and don clean garments, perform
frequent additions, and rise out of the
mire of degradation into a higher, cleaner,
and purer social position. Are you devot-
ing your charities wisely and we'll?
Notwithstanding the fact that the past
season was cool the stock of ice harvested
on the Hudson river during the past winter
has disappeared more rapidly than it did
on the previous summer. which was very
hot. Even ice dealers are at loss to I'M
derstand how and where it has gone. The
quantity which will be left over the COM