Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-15
ESPECIAL rzLxesAm TO THE DrsrAroz.,

ESPECIAL TzLEoRAM TO THE DTsPAroz.i
BALTIMORE, May 14.-To-night brill
liant audience assembled at Lehman's Hall
for the opening session Of the seventeenth
annual conference of Charities ana Correc-
tion. Distinguished people from all parts
OF the country. of all shades and politics
and religion, and the literary and pro-
fessional men of Baltimore were present.
The room was filled when Mayor Davidson
began his short speech OF welcome. He was
followed by Charles j. Bonaparte, who is q .
member of the local society. He paid an
eloqu ent tribute to the work Of the confer
ence. ..t
Following him came one Of the most i'm
portant events of the meeting, the annual
address Of the President, DR.. A. G. .Byers,
of Ohio, who has been member of the
body since its earliest days, and has attend
ed every meeting except two. He is about
20 years old. Since early manhood he has
taken an interest in charitable affairs, and
particularly the abolition of cruel punish
ment in State prisons. He has been Secre-
tary of the Ohio State Board of Charities
from the time of its organization, in 1868,
until the present. 9.
VIGOROUS ADDRESS.
At the last session Of the conference he
was unanimously elected President. His
address tonight was bright and vigorous.
He gave review Of the work before this
conference, two points being emphasized,
the charitable work at Johnstown, Lynn
and Louisville and the advance in prison
reform. There were parts OF the address
that caused the delegates to listen with un-
usual attention. He said the conferences
had no legislative or executive powers. No
compensation is derived from its service
and no motive can be assigned for its exist
ence beyond philantrophic desire to help,
humanity. After wittily explaining why
politicians were not interested in it DIR.
Byers proceeded to the part Of the address
that caused the most comment It was az
follows: .s. ~.
organization the result would be but little djf-
ferent, for the modern church is occupied with
the discussion OF beliefs with Just projects for
captivating the eve and ear OF the world, with
diligent effort and liberal contributions for en-
tering the city of the Samaritans and for going
into the way Of the Gentiles rather than for
beginning at home. The utmost ambition is
manifested to secure popular preaching. but
comparatively little attention is given 10 heal
ing the sick, cleansing the lepers OF raising the
applied to far-away conditions of human degra-
dation and snfYsring India ia TODAY attracfin0
far more attention than Indiana, and yet in-
snce within the nast tbrae wars nv Mr. McCIul.
loch indicate conditions of social degradation
and human depravity that could scarcely be
surpassed in pagan lands or among savage
-. ....- -..., ..-.... B. 90.
NOT PARTICULARLY BAD. --- 49,
trust snail not De understood as hoidipg-
Iortn INDIANA as worse tnan otner commune
rha rofar sa IL eli y1Ix
ues. Inc reference Is maoe SIMPLY because
the tacts mad been aseertained and set FORTH
II may De possible tnat "nen tnese moral and
social conolIions can De seen 'ney PAINE nope.
onorn OF tne power Oh miracies, win which tns
early cnuIcn was Inyesae9, Muueth t 1iV
crsdit its faith Is IL not trne bowsysr tbas
the Christian Church is possessed of material
resources, which, if applied to the amelioration
OF human sunering, ;1 oeginnlng az nome % % %ne.s
IssulIs can Ue seen; M pai t ois -
wrourbt beyond that which miracles could ac.
compiish.
NOW Just such sayings as tnese souno nke IN.
Weighing agaRs, the G6qgch ro Let me eR6reas n
80 c-peSs nd cs-emonies have aIHavs been
orounds for Contention or subjects for criti-
cism. while against the spirit of the gospel,
constituting the very soul Of the Church, no
@ @ I'm I'm pS SeI;t =; itbi a. , -
the GOOD Semsritan mnst Commend itself to
the conscience of the world. 1t is the practical
recognition of this spirit which has broughs
together this conference, representing an me
van creeus a anu and ini1iaDaI Sapov
ience and enables them to 90 forward with its
work without discord of any kind at any time.
1t may seem pharisaical TO say thai this spirit,
or something akin TO IT, actnates tnis CONFER p
enee'
LIE D1A-'o -1A- "A
There were other brief informal talks fol-
lowing that OF the President, and then the
delegates adjourned to a collation. ". the
gymnasium OF the johns Hopkins Cnlyer-
sity. There will be Two sessions daily dur
ing the conference. Tomorrow the reports
on States, on prison and prison dlselpilne,
on prisoners and on industries Tor reform