The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-12-27
TO HELP THE POOR.
Movement on Foot to Estab.
fish a Grand Charity
Organization.
THE DISTRESS IN THIS CITY
Pastors of Several Churches Tell
of the Condition of Affairs in
Their Parishes-The Work
Of Relief.

are to care for the poor, sick and needy; to
provide, if possible, work for the unem-
ployed, and to render assistance Immediately
to the deserving poor. With all due respect
to those gentlemen who have aroused an in
terest in the poor and unemployed, the ladies
predominant in this movement and the
outlook is bright for the formation
of a grand charity society. There will be
held this week a meeting to perfect this or
ganization. Mrs. Clerihew has been selected
by the Tabernacle folk to represent them
and their church at the organization meet
ing. Whatever agreements Mrs. Clerihew
enters into OF whatever she promises to do
will be faithfully fulfilled by the parishion-
ers of the Tabernacle, who, exclusive of this
organization, are doing much to alleviate
the sufferings and want of the poor.
TABERNACLE'S RELIEF COMMITTEE.
In the Tabernacle there is a standing COM
mittee known as the Committee on Sym
pathy and Help. 1t consists of ladies, among
whom are:-Mrs. Lautier, Miss Jane Bunce,
Mrs. Pawles, Miss Agnes Wright, of day
nursery fame; Mrs. J. T. Edwards, Miss S.
j. D~ougherty, Mrs. S. B. Russell, Mrs. John
Ewing, Mrs. NJ. Higginbotham, Mrs. F.. A.
Cook and Mrs. Clerihew.
This committee" explained the Rev.
OOLI II. CCtlIucI, ldSu cullS, dCtOIlElLohCo
a great deal of good. The ladies know the
poor people of our parish and aid them"
Have you many poor people in your
parish who have asked assistance this yearF'
/ asked.
"We have comparatively few for so large
a congregation, and those we have are not,
nor will they allow themselves to become, de-
pendent upon us. This committee looks after
them all, however, and sees to it at all times
that our poor people have plenty to eat and
are kept warm"
"Do you have many applications for as
s~istance!" | asked.
"We do, but l. refer everyone who is a
stranger to the Poormaster. In fact, l dis
courage our parishioners from giving to
outsiders. I advise sending them to the
Poormaster. When they become known
and are located, and if deserving and
really need help, they are cared for and
watched. People who give freely forget
that some poor people nave too much pride
to come a second time. Then ensues gony,
want and suffering. When people become
poor they should not be ashamed of it, but
l believe should present themselves at the
proper source for assistance. Certainly, we
nave a free hearted community, n one
which would not permit any deserving person
to starve. But indiscriminate giving helps
the undeserving, and frequently Injuries de-
serving people. When people can work, they
should work, and when they do work and
spend their money for rum and viii not pay
house rent OF for food, then they are not de-
serving of the pity or help of charitable peo-
pie. We do things systematically in our
church.
s'This new organization, which is to care
for the poor of the whole city, is a glorious
organization, and should be encouraged and
supported in these hard times by people who
are fortunate enough to have plenty. To
help the needy is a noble work"
IT, IL L. -, -a E@n NJ, +1N lie
tress in this city JERSEY CITY NEWS repor--
tiers interviewed several ministers an
priests
IN ST. MARY's PARISH.
Father Kelly, of st. Mary's R. G. Church,
said that in his parish there is more distress
among the poor at present than there has
been in years. "We are receiving numerous
requests for aid, and we are helping those de-
serving of charity. An unusually large
number of people seem to be out of work.
We have a regular poor fund in the church,
and this is distributed judiciously. We also
nave an active sewing society in our parish
which turns out many garments for the
poor. Last week this society gave to the de-
Serving poor over $50 garments"
ST. PAUL'S NJ. E. HURCH
During the past few weeks Pastor William
Eakins of st. Paul's M. E. Church has been
hard at work endeavoring to aid the poor
members IN his church, and but for him
many a family would have experienced the
pangs of hunger. When I interviewed him
at his cosy parsonage last evening, he said:
1.-THE times are very had for the poor and
things seem to be growing worse. Hardly a
dav passes, but l receive a request for help.
There are many out of work and l am kept
busy trying to help the deserving ones. I
believe that there are a larger number of
people out of work at present than there
has been for some time. On Saturday last
I spent the whole day e~ndeavoring
to get work for four men. Every place l
went to l was turned off with the answer,
"We have no need for workmen and find it
hard work to give employment to those we
have" One of the men for whom I was at
tempting to secure employment has been out
of work for six months and as he has a large
family he is nearly driven to distraction. He
offered to work for five and six dollars a
week, but even at this low salary he could
secure no employment. This is but
one of a number of such cases that
that nave been brought to my attention
during the past few weeks. I am out every
day in an effort to help the unfortunate. In
the church we take a collection once every
month for the poor, and in special cases we
solicit private subscriptions. By these
means I nave been able to do much good
among the poor"
AN ENCOURAGING CONDITION.
Father Gillen, of st. Lucy's parish. re-
pOl z q LIZ N1ASOOAc al DCClb VA "a III
his parish. St. Lucy's parish consists mainly
of working people, and if the times are bad
it ought to be more noticeable here than
elsewhere in the city.
Il don't know of a single case in the
parish" said Father Gillen last evening,
s'where there is real distress. In fact, I
may speak for this entire section of the city.
Our work of charity is never confined strict
ly to Catholics, and when a Protestant is in
need of aid in this section, we usually hear
of it and help him. I believe that we have
especial reason to be thankful in this parish,
for I don't know Of one family that is really
suffering from want. We have just
and if there had been any dis
our notice. Money seems to be scarce, and
everything is not as prosperous as it was
this time last year. Many people are also
down their expenses, and by the practice of
We have a sewing society here that is turn
ing out garments for the poor, but in the
best of times we could find places for them.
I am quite certain that no one is suffering in
this parish from actual want
REFERS HEM TO THE PooRMASTER.
"We usually investigate every case of
poverty that comes to our notice." said the
Rev. Mr.. McMinn, eand the Kings Daugh-
tiers alleviate much distress in this neighbor-
hood. I often refer those who come to my
door for aims to the Poormaster. At least,
those who claim chat they have a family to
support. I'm seldom satisfied that those
who ring my door bell are really worthy
ol;oo+e 0f oho ritu Tho D1or,,,aeta,. ro,ar