Workmen's advocate., 1889-05-18

permit themselves to be moved by the horrors of the slums to do something for the alleviation of the sutferings of "leS miSerabieS,' they still cling to the idea that this may be done without in any way disturbing the existing "or- der. The following account of phil anthroplc effort among the poor shows that there Is desire to help others, and the manner in which it is done shows more intelligence than is ordinarily met with among.the "charitable' rich:
 Missionaries are what the people who are interested in the basement at l46 Forsyth street would have been called few years ago. Now they are 'neighbors, and the establishment through which they are trying to civilize the poorest and most wretChed part of the east side IS not 'mission,' but 'Neighborhood Guild
 1t is a unique institution, and this praise at least must be given it, that 1t is more successful in its efforts than are most of the endeavors to solve the prob lem of the poor.
 The Guild was founded two years ago by Mr. Stanton Colt, graduate of Am herst College and of Berlin University. He took Toynbce Hall, the unive rsity settlement in the east end of London, as his model, although changing it's plan III many important particulars. The work done in Toynbee Hall is the orig inal of that portrayed in Mrs. Humph- rey Wards now famous novel, and Rob- ert Elsmere is an easily recognizable, though much changed, portrait of Ar mold TCynbee. the man who originated the work of the hall and for whom 1t was named.
 "Before Mir. Colt began his work he went into this region and lived there as one of its people, making his home in a tenement house, and as he began to de- velop his methods and aims, attracting other college trained men to his side. During these two years four such help CTS have quietly gone over into the dirt and smells Of Forsyth and Cherry streets, and made 1t their home. Besides the resident college men, who have done most of the work of originating and directing the Guilds eff | forts, there are d number of outside | helpers, both men and women, who have contributed much to its success. Among these is Miss Mildred Conway, the daughter of Moncure D. Conway. | The Guild runs kindergarten for the children, and it has clubs for boys, for girls, for young men and for young wo- men. These clubs have bi-weekly meet ings, where the members receive lessons in practical arts, or debate among them selves on labor, social and political questions. Then it has gymnasium and savings bank, and occasionally there are theatrical or musical enter tainments. It is supported by member ship dues mainly, which are ten cents a week, and by contributions. MT. Sto- yer, the present manager, says that 1t has had good effect on the people who have joined"
 It is, of course, matter for congratu- lation that at least some people have been made more happy, and perhaps more civilized. But it behooves social ists to do their work also, and in pub- fishing this little account of the activity of sympathetic reformers, we call at | tention to field of work which might at least be inspected, and which may be, perhaps, successfully worked for the further benefit of not only the few who take advantage of the good offices of the Guild, but of all the prOletarians whose labor is exploited by both "charitable" and uncharitable capitalists.