New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-04
PHILOSOPHICAL LEAGUE FOR PRACTICAL WORK

PHILOSOPHICAL LEAGUE FOR PRACTICAL "ohh'
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir Permit me 10 make known to the public through
your columns the work now being carried Cn III 'ie
slums of New-Yor and elsewhere by the IheosOpmcai
League for Practical Work. This work is done by
autonomous leagues organized under a central Iedeue
for practical phlIanthropc work among our poorer
brethren These leagues not centres OF propa-
ganda although they ncucate the principle OF uni
versal brotherhood, both by deeds and words JUST S
the TheosOpical Society Is composed Of persons OF all
religions who meet upon the sole basis OF TINS a'erh
principle while the associate members Oh the League
are in many cases not even F. T. s. They are centres
Of arustlc effort, where creed Is taught and none
intcrfered with No questions are asked as to the be-
lief of those we help, and except under question: no
expression of our own Is put forth. League NO l.
at No 178 Suffolk New York. is in touch with over
400 persons, after seven weeks Of operation Iheie
are clubs and classes OF various kinds, sewing Glasses
geographical travel classes, singing classes, classes In
grammar and arithmetic these latter by special re-
quest OF number Of lads. amusement clubs for the
children with the games Of the Industrial schools gym
nastics and drill The literary societies, managed by
the young people themselves have lectures on munld-
pal state and Federal Government and discuss the
questions OF the day with the help OF critic elected
by them from ranks, whose duty is Instruction
upon the points debated. Membership In these clubs
begins at eighteen years Of age, and they have FOR their
object TIE training and development Of the members
in ali that pertains citizenship. There are also four
domestic libraries of the nonsecaran kind that proved
so useful in Boston, placed In the families of the re
spectacle poor twelve members to library, each hav
Ing IFS own visitor who distributes the books Dstrlcts
The children and becomes hepfully acquainted WIN
their families.
Upstairs we have boarding place for work
ing girls the cubcle system and under the care
~ a maron. where hoard and lodging may be had for
from - To 81 weekly. each girl having cublcle 10
herself We have had girl applicants OF over sixteen
wears whose only sleeping place was bed shared WIN
Two and three older male relatives. The matrOn ana
her aids report cases OF horrible deSttuton In their
daily visits among the poor. Working among tue
sweaters who are all about and working far In the
night every day in the week. find girls Of fourteen
wears clad In burt a single garment. hlthencrlsteG
which is all that they and eating hard crlsts only
for t,r Nv daily meals. TO help these cases part
ot our work. Every person taught or helped Is tod
10 pass what has been received on 10 some 0ter Inc
children are sewing for small fair, the proceeds OF
witch are To be used in helping destitute family 70
pay rent. The dues Of the little Libraries 70 10 INC
purchase of a book FOR sick child IN hosptai. IN
al that Is the atrIStic principle Is DrOnSnt lot
ward and the Young people themselves eleet via, 10
do. Gifts of furniture, games, toys, honse hheL
crockery above all. clothing will be gladly received
a, well as financial aid. however insignificant 1of heeu
VI II kinds Is very great both here ana al League w.
! - JULIA CAMPBELL YER PLANCK,
President Central League.
| p. o. Box $3.50. New York. July 20, 1871