The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-30
THE GREATEST IS CHARITY.
The Annual Meeting of the Consolidated
Benevolent Organizations.
Addresses by Rev. Myron W. Reed, Senator
Ben Harrison and 0thers-Progress and
Character of the Work.

OSASSy
last night. called ont an audience that filled
every seat in the auditorium-fully 2, 200 persons
being present. The following societies were
represented in the meeting: indianapolis Be
n~evolent Society, Charity Organization Society,
the Flower Mission, the Free Kindergartens and
the Indianapolis Orphan Asylum, while the au-
dierce was composed exclusively of church-go
ing people of the city. Senator Harrison pre-
sided and the opening prayer was made by Rev.
DR.. Reuben Jefery, who was followed by Rev.
NJ. L. Haines in a Scripture reading. Senator
Harrison then spoke as follows:
SENATOR HARRIsoN's ADDRESS.
Ladies and Gentlemen--The Indianapolis Benevo-
lent Society is an old acquaintance of mine. Thirty
years ago. on a Thanksgiving evening. l attended the
And from that time on 1 was, while not an active, at
least an interested participant in its annual meetings.
recoilect it when it was vigorous; when it enlisted
the sympathies of the great mass of our people. |
recollect very ~tenderly, in connection with
it, some of these conspicuous men who gave not
only money but their time to its work. l recall the
time of its decline. And l remember a meeting in tho
First Presbyterian Church, seven years ago, when not
more than seven or eight persons. responded to the
encouragement and depression which was felt then;
and recall the resolution which was expressed by the
few that were present to reorganize, and revivify, and
make efficient for good again, as it had been in the past,
this magnificent organization, which has associated
with it to- night, in one interest. several other charitable
organizations of the city-the indianapolis Orphan
Asylum, the Free Kindergarten, the Flower Mission,
and over them all, binding them together in their
work. the Charity Organization Society. of this city.
L feel that great progress has been made in the adj
ministiation of this work. l believe that it is to- day
upon a basis that commends it, not only to the sym
pathlesI-for this benevolent work has always had our
sympathies-but commends it to the business iudg-
ment and confidence of the people of indianapolis.
There is no lack of benevolent disposition. l do not
believe there is a city or town in the United States
where there is not both the disposition and the rev.
enue to relieve any case of actual want. The difficulty
has been to bring the case of want to the attention of
those who had the heart to give. Men are busy in
their daily pursuits; if they are visited in their offices
by those who are soliciting aims, they have no assur-
aims of benevolence are sealed up and dried up in
many hearts by means of the frauds that are frequent
ly praeticed upon their kindly condolences.
we have now in the Indianapolis Benevolent Society
a society that not only deals with want and suffering
in a kindly and sympathetic spirit, but brings also
wisdom to bear, and discriminates between the worthy
and unworthy. l do not hesitate to affirm that to
each OF these societies represented here on this pro-
graInme tonight every man whom l address, and
In this work, may with absolute confidence confde
their contribution to the care of these societies with
the fullest and most perfect assurance that every dol
relieving suffering and distress.
1t seems to me. therefore, that I may appeal to the
business men who are here in this audience tonight
and have not always the time to search out for them
selves the cases that are called to their attention to
give literally to these several associations that are
represented mere, VIII the assurance that their mOney
will do more good than it can possible do if distributed
miscellaneously and without judgment among those |
who come to our doors or to our Offices seeking relief.
1t is a source of great comfort to me to think that
we have here in the city an organization which pledges |
itself to take care of and relieve every case of distress |
that you may direct to their attention. They ask of
you only two things; first, that you will put into their
hands the necessary means to do this work, and,
secondly, that you will refer to them and to their ex-
for help, if you have not yourself the time to give
1t Investigation. Without OBTAINING You further
t tsaish' the than society ss simply syi, '1R y , the n ho }9s
forty-ninth year. may receive from the citizens of
indianapolis a larger contribution than has been
tennial of its organization, we may hear, those of Us
who may be alive. q report showing the society out of
debt, with no necessity for asking bank a~ccommoda-
all cases calling for the exercise of its helping hand.
| have the honor of introducing to you Mr.. w. A.
johnson, of Cincinnati, the head of the charity or.
SANITATION of that city. who will address you on
the subject of the Value of Systematic Effort in
Charity"
W. A. johnson, of Cincinnati, then spoke, Civ
lied charity in that city during an epidemic of
smallpox, and during the floods of 1883 and 1884,
being a conclusive showing of the value of sys,
tematic effort in charitable work.
Mrs. Lois q. Huford read a paper of marked
merit on the results of kindergarten work in this
city, where there now are four schools which
care for over 300 children. She asked the cues
ton whether there was not in this city a man or
woman of means who would do something for
this cause by building in one of the poor neigh
borhoods of Indianapolis a house for the use of
one of these kindergar,ens.
Judge T.. B. Martin1ale made an excellent
business-like address, showing the work and the
needs of the indianapolis Orphan Asylum. Over
$500 persons living to-day and enjoying citizen
ship. owe the blessings they have to this institu-
ton. These persons, taken when infants, have
been saved from lives of pauperism and crime.
They have been fed, clothed, schooled, and at
last placed in pleasant and comfortable homes,
and are now scattered over nearly all the States
of this Union, and but one child was ever sent
to the Reformatory. By love and kindness, even
cases that seemed almost hopeless have been re-
deemed. A mortgage of So. 600 rests upon this
institution, which should be removed.
Mrs. Hannah G. Chapman read q paper on
''The Results of Flower Mission Work" showing
the ministrations of the noble hearted women
who are engaged in that work.
Rev. Myron W.. Reed then came forward, and
spoke as follows:
REV. MYRoN W. REEDS ADDRESS.
Ladies and Gentlemen-What with Iecturing, and
preaching, and visiting, and the eating of successive
turkeys, l find my notes somewhat mixed. I am
somewhat in the condition Of a friend of mine, a
McCullochl, who came from Colorado Springs to Den.
yer to look up a friend: He had taken his residence
on a piece of paper and put it in his vest pocket. Ar.
irving in Denver, he took the street cars as Far as he
could. and then undertook to look up the corner of
I and Sixth streets. He found, after a time.
that ne must ask for information, and so inquired
for the corner of I and Sixth streets,
and was told that there was no alphabetical
street in the city. After looking in the Directory he
remembered, and reached into his pocket and found
that he had made a mistake, and had simply taken a
reference to a favorite text, / Cor, 6.
was reminded, when l came here, that a year ago
tonight Governor Hendricks, whose BODY lies clothed
in the majesty of death, was kind enough, on this plat
form, to speak of my absence, and say that he missed
me. | do net speak for myself, but l speak for us all,
when I say that we miss him tonight. The Charity
Society and this society have received kindly impulse
from him since / knew him. 1 remember
house. the poor,house, the p%oorfarm, that he volun-
teered his assistance and worked for US without pay
for nearly a month, and was very instrumental in the