New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-30
on THK RIGHT TRACK.


The churches are waking up to a realization
OF their duty regarding the condition of the
worklngwomen. DR.. Vincent and the Rev. Mt.
Eaton preached excellent sermons on the ques-
ton on Sunday, both fully recognizing the obi
cation resting on the churches to take an active
part in the work of reform. The fact that the
more the problem Is discussed the more serious
do its difficulties appear ought not to be re-
garded as disc0uraging. Many of the most
stubborn obstacles are precisely such as call for
the kind of work which can be best done
through religious organizations. In clearing
away the preiudlces and the false pride and
mistaken notion of independence which have a
good deal to do with keeping worlingwomen in
their present condition, it is obvious that
patient argument and persuasion Is called for.
An educational process has TO be gone through
in number of cases before those whose interest
is concerned will be able to see that the change
of occupation proposed is for their undoubted
advantage. This is a kind of instruction which
church organizations should be especially quail
fed to furnish, and in such manner as not to
repel or offend the wOrkingwomen.
The idea of charity in the common meaning
of the word should be as far possible ex-
cuded from any plan adopted. For people arc
far oftener hurt than helped by being relieved
without any efforts of their own and there Is
also to be considered that finer pride which
exists among the poor, aud which resents as
an insult every eleemosynary approach. The
difficulty Of influencing the rate of wages is
almost insuperable. What makes it 80 is the
practically unlimited supply of female labor.
While five women stand ready to take the place
h. lot L.,
hope to compel higher wages by any means
within their reach. Their is rendered
harder by the competition of women who, not
depending upon work for their livelihood, can
afford to underbid those whose solo resource
it is. Proposals to remove the former Of these
two difficulties by diverting the surplus popu-
Iation INTO the country do not offer an imme-
date or certain relief. 1t has to be considered
that principal reason why more women do
not seek work in the country is positive repug-
nance to the kind of life offered them. This
repugnance may in time be overcome, but only
in time and meanwhile the suffering goes on
The work presented to the churches is largely
educational. An idea Is to be found In Mr.
Walter Besant's "Children of Gibeon," which
might perhaps be utilized. Dealing with the
same question Mr.. Besant imagines a sort of
benevolent association which began by prepar-
ing and distributing short pamphlets or leaflets
containing simple suggestions and bits of lnfOr
nation about ali things it was desired to con.
vey information upon. In this way many ideas
were put into the minds of the workers. and
they were almost insensibly led to experiment
for themselves III sanitary and dietetic reform,
and so help themselves. and, of course, put ten
times the energy into what they did which they
would have exerted had the incentive not
seemed to come from themselves. Now. while
the general state of the wOr kingwomen calls for
Improvement loudly, 1t is true that even the
poor wages they earn could be made to do much
more if better knowledge existed of purchasing
and cooking. 1t Is unquestionable that the
poor az rule are wasteful. They would live
much better if they could be induced TO receive
instruction In these matters, and we think that
the churches might do good by undertaking to
supply such instruction. Of course this would
only be palliative but 1t would be one step
upward, and while it was being secured full
consideration of other factors In the problem
might bring to light broader remedies. AS DIR.
Vincent said on Sunday 1t is missionary work,
and we may add that it Is the most important
kind of missionary work that the churches can
undertake.