The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-30
WORK FOR WOMEN.
Philanthropic Ladies Discuss New Field for
Christian Work in Indianapolis.

The parlors of Mrs. Charles E. Kregelo were
filled on yesterday afternoon by women from the
various. churches of the city to consider new SUBJ
jects Of philanthropic work. Miss Sarah p.
Morrison read Matthew viii, IA, commented
briefly on the sympathy of the touch of Chris
tians, and led in fervent prayer for the bap-
tism Of sympathy. Mrs. j. r. Nichols, State
president of the Womans Christian Temperance
Union, spoke briefly of some of the lines Of work
of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union,
and introduced Miss Morrison who presented, in
beautiful language, a few thoughts on the spirit
and mission Of the Womans Christian Temper
ance Union. An informal discussion of the pa.
per followed, several ladies participating
Mrs. r.. A Baker read paper on the "Creche.
or Day Nursery" showing the need of such a
Departmental connection with the free kinder
garten, where workingwomen could have their
children. below the kindergarten age properly
cared for during the day.
Mrs. r. r. Parker spoke of the work of the
department of social purity one that should be
dear to every womans heart. She gave, briefly,
the history Of the White Cross Army since its or
ganzation in England, three years ago. While
it was designed primarily, to elevate men, in
it's reflex action it helps women, also. 1t seems a
hopeless task to eradicate an evil which is as old
as the world but, with 200, 900 Christian women
banded together to work for that end
the false standard of society by which
men who are adulterers are received, while their
victims are outcast, must be changed. Women
sometimes say to her they would rather be igno-
rant of such things. Not the right way If
women were informed they would know how to
60 to work to mend matters The extent of the
social evil in our city is appalling. More than
nine tenths of the children born at the City Hos
pital are illegitimate, and from sixty-ve to sew
enty-ive per year. Nearly nine tenths of the dis
eases there through direct result Of indulgence
in liquor and impure habits. Fully onehalf
the cases of insanity are caused by in
diligence in liquor and impure habits
There are in the city 149 notorious houses of
prostitution, with nearly 400 inmates. An ex-
perience of over fifteen years in mission work in
the city had revealed to her an appalling amount
of impurity in all classes.
How is this moral ulcer to affect our sons and
daughters2 is question for every Christian
mother to consider. The dangers surrounding
young girls, the difficulties in the way of re-
claiming women who have fallen, were shown,
and the almost utter hopelessness in such work
A general discussion of the subject followed,
Mrs. Nichols speaking of the great need of a
midnight mission near the depot, and of a night
matron there to protect young girls who come
into the city and have to wait at the depot at
night Most of the ladies present gave their
names for membership in new Woman's Chris
tian Temperance Union for the carrying on of
special lines of work of the N. W. C. Il. IT.
The hour being late, the election of officers was
postponed till Tuesday next, when an adjourned
meeting will be held at Mrs. Chas. E. Kregelo's.