New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-24
THE SHUT-IN SOCIETY.
AN UNIQUE AND HELPFUL ORGANIZATION.

AN UNIQUE AND HELPFUL ORGANIZATION.
Fifteen years ago Miss Jennie NJ Dr1nkwater, now
Mrs. Conkin. Of Madison. n. j., was shut In her room
by long and serious Illness. Time hung heavily
on her hands. and she conceived an idea 50 simple,
and set 50 obviously full OF sen c, that the
wonder Is that had thought OF II long
before. She entered into a correspondence with an
other invalid personally unknown TO her In order
that they might be mutually cheered and entertained
This the or gin Of that remarkable organization
OF invalids known as the "Shut-In Society," which
has membership OF many thousands in every
country OF the civilized world. The correspondence
modestly begun proved so pleasant that 1t was ex
tended to other invaids unil In 1884 the cores
pondents organized themselves into the Shut In soc
ety. and the next year the society was Incorporated I'M
der the laws Of the state Of with Mrs Conkln
president. OF course the primary qualification Tor
admission Is Illness. To be sufferer shut ir from
the outside world constitutes one a proper candidate
for membership In this society," the constitution.
But there Is character qualification also, and all appi-
cants for membership must "send with their sppica-
tion possible the name Of their pastor their phys
clan, or Of some associate member Of the socl-
city, as Introduction The associate members are
not lnvahds but being in tender sympathy with
the suffering, volunteer In this ministry Of love-"
Each associate member volunteers to correspond with
members In a certain ass gned district and is ex
pected TO subscribe at least 81 a year.
The society is managed BY an advisory board
composed Of associate members, as follows
Honorary president, Mrs. J. NJ ID. Conklin Madison,
\. j.. president. Mrs. Helen E. Brown. New-York
city; secretary and treasurer, Mrs II. X. Monroe.
Miersvile, Penn; vice presidents, Miss A. 4.
Lippincott, New York CITY, Miss Mary Hitchcock,
Hanover, y. H.; Miss II. J. Wright Philadelphia,
Penn; Mrs George Reid. Summerve, S. c.: Mrs. J.
+. Church. Pasadena. Cal; Mrs Fanny II. Ferris.
Wheaton, H.; Miss A. Hopkins. St. Louis Mo-, and
Miss L. Howard Toronto, Ont. Mrs. Brown, the
president Is the editor Of the society, and Miss A.
E. Fuller, Of Hanover, Conn, IS the Librarian.
AS might naturally be expected. the society u
largely composed of women. There is mems depart
ment, however under the direction OF Mr.. Will S.
Mather OF Chicago There is a hour1shing children's
department, the members OF which are popularity
known as the sunshine makers 1t Is under the
direction Of Miss G. L. Lewis, OF Boston, and Miss
Josie A. Jones and Miss Able A. Miller OF Dor
chester. Mass There Is also department Of children
associate members, which have formed themselves
into band called the 3" Little Cup Bearers to the
King IT Is composed Of boys and girls from six 10
nineteen years Of age, who pledge themselves to carry
sympathy and comfort 10 some little sufferer. II Is
found that children enter into this work with great
enthusiasm. and the little cup bearers have helped
many n poor and weary sufferer to become a sunshine
maker.
Another department OF the society IS the Wheel.
| Chair Committee. OF which Miss c. o Ross OF New
ark. y. j.. is the active manager It's object is to
alleviate the condition OF shutin members by fur.
| nishing them when possible. with wheel chair.
When wheelchar invalid dies. little silver plato
is fastened the back OF the chair, inscribed To the
memory OF - - and II is sent back TO tho
| committee to he used by other member. The
Kings Daughters l.terested In the wheel-char
work. and in fact number OF circles OF Kings
/ Daughters have been formed among members Of the
shutin Society. Many OF the members themselves
work for the Wheel Chair Committee. For instance,
! iIortense Patterson. North Ansons, Me-. who
is great sufferer. and who has 10 lie on her back
| tnuay, has recently made beautiful promise
quilt composed OF sxtyiour squares each contain
| ing a Bible promise This quilt she now desires to
sell. and the proceeds toward the purchase OF
wheel chair for invalid. The library Of the
society Of its important features. Books maya
lines and papers freely sent TO invads In every
State in the Union. well as to many foreign
tries. In Philadelphia, Pass It.Along Club has
been formed, which crcuates periodicals among In.
valids "The Open Window is the OF the
ceent monthly publication issued By the society.
II is furnished 10 invalds at so cents year, and TO
associate members at 81 year. And 1t Is sent free
10 any members who unable to pay for 1t. on
the first page Of the paper IS the picture OF open
window. Underneath the words The windows Of
my soul throw wide open to the sun" And above IL
tho text There shall be moro PAIN Tho
! open Window enables the members to interchange
ideas and learn OF each other. II publishes
descriptive letters OF travel. "hnt> and helps the
names OF new members and birthdays. concert
OF prayer" IS observed by the members every Tues
day mt 10 a. H. and the Scripture selections and
topics for these prayer concerts published In
! the paper.
1t is an interesting fact that missionary spirit has
been developed in this society. although its members
might we'll be excused II they thought only OF them
selves. There is "Invalids Auxiliary which 70
now supporting native nurse In the Margaret WILL
hanson Hospital at shanghai. China, and is also rails.
ing fund to cndow bed in the same hospital. TO be
known as the "shut-In society's bed Another
branch of missionary work done by the society. is the
writing OF letters to prisoners. About LOO letters
have sent TO Sing Sing alone They are sent un.
addressed 10 the Chaplain. who addresses them per.
sonally TO the convicts The name and address OK
the writer are not, however gwen to the convict.
II the testimony OF the Chaplain that these letters
The letters written by invaIids to other invalids.
letter friend has become recognized phrase In the
society. The organization Of the society Inns brought
ynIds have been shut IN for long term OF years.
| many for twenty-five thirty years one member OF
her bed for sixty years The condition Of such long
term patients Is apt to become very desolae as teir
feel that they are burden on those VINO are charged
with their care To such nUads nth the soSey
communication with many felo~,suferers and SYM
pathetic friend but z" v q, ,, Interests q the So
the dreary monotony Of their lives.
One Of the best known members OF the society 10
Miss Jennie lay o. Louisville, KY who has been
| confined TO her for TWENTY-FIVE years. She has
| acquired n widespread reputation the founder and
! National president OF the Flower Mission She has
developed rare talents AS an organizer and to her
ability and enthusiasm, Is largely due the success Of
this most excellent charity Her latest work is slc
! cessfu nurses training school. The work done BY
this invalid OF twenty five standing may well
put the mcagre achievements Of many strong
and healthy people. and the OF the society
show that large number Of It's members are AMI
mated BY the same spirit Of self denial.