The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-24
UNITED CHARITIES.
THE oAREEB%oF A NOBLE SOCIETY
AUsPICIoUsLY BEGUN.
Effects and Good VIII OF the Charity
Ball Committee Turned over to It
Plan and Objects OF the Society as
Set Forth In. q Committees Report.

There was organized in this city yester-
day club that has long been recognized
us needful, and one worth from $50 to 500
a year to every business and professional
man, to say nothing Of the relief 1t will
afford TO private families
Some thirty or moro ladies and gentle
men, from among the leaders in every
good and charitable movement inaugu-
rated, came together in the Young Mems
Christian Association rooms.
1t was, in fact, amectingo OF the Children's
Christmas Club, called to organize and
arrange for permanent existence and
work in the field OF charity, the object
being to take charge Of every case that
may arise in the city. TO I'LL vacancy
caused by the absence Of President j. S.
Menken, the Rev. Dr. IL. A. Jones, OF the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, was in
vited to the chair. Mrs, W. S. Alternately.
the Secretary, was, as usual, present and
served in that capacity.
The report Of the Committee on Reor-
ganization was read by the Rev. J. II.
Snow, of the Rowan Memorial Baptist
Church, as follows
Before presenting the recommendation
Tor organization OF this society," formed by
careful investigation OF both the Louisville
and New York reports OF charity organiza-
tons, and earnest counsel and considera-
ton Of the committee, we take occasion to
state the objects and purposes OF such
organizations as expressed in the annual
report OF the Central Council Of New York,
the design OF such effort here with most OF
us being novel and unknown. Ii is as fol-
lows
II aims to collate these experiences and
observations OF misapplicd alms which
cause more distress and mischief than they
relieve, and thus show that the world can
not Afford TO have It's charities governed by
listless sentimontalilies.
II urges closer investigation in order 10
discover the producing causes Of the dis.
tressed and seli-helplcssness in each case
OF restitution appealing 10 the public, and
that the work Of charity shall be whole
some instead OF injurious, curative instead
OF palliative, permanent instead Of trans.
lent
IL would impress upon the community
the need OF concurrent action in charitable
efforts instead Of that conflicting, over
laying independence which incit,s he idle
and vicious to greed and duplicity.
Before seeking 10 augment the benevo-
lence which already ilows freely from
existing fountains, and 20 often in
devastating floods over the fields
OF penury, It insists that the
channels by which IL may be guided
whore II will bo productive OF genuine BEN
III shall first be sought out, and that exist.
ing resources shall iirst be adequately APP
piled 10 the various forms OF honest want
for which they were intended and TO which
they are fitted.
II tries to make difficult, II not impossi-
BILE, the dopredaiions Of pretended philan-
throphists, who ne private almoners, or as
| agents OF dishonesty conducted. fictitious
| or deiunct societies, would divert to qucs-
uonablo ends the ready bcncyolcnco OF
public prompt TO answer the plea Of want
with money when they have not the bet.
ter gifts Of time and thought aud strength
TO bestow.
IL supplies a recognized local center Of
charitable information and impulse. where
by reciprocal intcrchangus Of experience
aud service all co-operators are assisted 20
discharge their assumed responsibilities
wisely and promptly.
II endoayors 10 make the poor and the
rich both realize that honest employment,
the work that God means every man TO do,
IN the trucst basis Of relief for every person
with physical ability 90 work. and that the
help which needlessly releases the poor
from the necessity Of providing for them
selves Is In violation OF divine law and in
curs the penalties which follow any inirac.
| ton Of that law.
Il obslruc,s the trade Of bcggary in or
der 10 make Il less profitable and inviting
| than honest labor, aud 90 reform or pun.
ish those who sturlily follow H.
II seeks 10 elevate the homo life, ro-
move the temptations, stimulate the cour-
age and develop the social relations OF tho
| depressed, and 10 take from them all rca.
son to say, "You seem determined 10
leave me as poor and discouraged as you
found me-"
II desires 20 transmutc the aims OF
money, ~ largely corrupung and dcgrad.
ing, into loving personal services between
the needy aud the bcnclcont, ~ that
these may communicate to the former
those moral qualities which have made
them. as they must make all men, success.
iul and independent.
In short, this ia a society 10 educate tho
poor aud rich In their relative duties 20
each other, aud 10 transform aims into
effective and ineslimablo Offices OF friend.
ship.
10 inauguraio aud increase corporation
among all Who labor Tor or give TO the
| poor
To turn In safe directions private aud as-
s0ciatcd bCnovolcncc.
10 protect tho bounliiul from the dcprc.
daiIou- Of fraud
To reduce the temptations 10 lives Of
/ bcggnry, idloncss and deceit.
We recommend the organization Of a
society TO be- known IA the United Chari-
/ ties OF Memphis, Tenn, with tho follow.
ing objects IN view
! I. 10 reduce yauancy and paupcrsm
and ascertain their true cause.
! .. To prevent indiscrimination and du.
/ plicaic giving. L..
n To secure t,c community from impo.
I situn. n's
I. 10 SEQ tlui All deserving cases arc
properly rclicvod.
. To make employment the basis Of re.
/ lief
Il To elevate the homo life, health and
habits Of the puor.-
Z. To prevent children from growing up
M pnupen.
Methods sua scs,cd to accomplish the
foregoing ohiects.-
l.. Ry bringing bout cooperation among
oil charitable sfcAgics.
> by system y registration to prevent
imposition.
8 ly securing thorough investigation
a - /.