The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-04
AID FOR FIRE SUFFERERS,
The Institute of Applied Chris
tianity Begins a Good
Work.
LEASES THE OLD HOSPITAL.
VIII Furnish Food and Shelter to
the Victims of the Big Con-
flagration.

+ The San Francisco Institute of Applied
Christianity is about to give practical
illustration of the reasons for its organiza-
ton to the people of San Francisco at ,
once. One of the most earnest pleas of
Christ, the members of the institute hold,
was for charity, and now that there is such
splendid chance to- exercise that virtue,
they have resolved to act.
The first benefciaries of the first practi-
cal work of the institute will be the suffer-
ers of the late big fire. When their home
lessness and poverty were first brought to
the attention Of the officers of the insti-
tute, it was resolved at once that some
steps should be taken to extend to them
that aid which was so absolutely needed.
1t was evident at first glance that the VIC
Tins of the big blaze needed two things,
shelter and food; and, to furnish these the
institute determined: would be directly
withinits province.
For several days the committee which
was commissioned to devise. ways and
means to this end was busy. at last decid-
ing that if the old French hospital on Bry-
ant street could be. secured everything
could be put in satisfactory way. Nego
tiations were atonce. opened with the di-
reGtors of the French Mutual Benevolent
Society for the lease of. the building and
were terminated yesterday, when the ne i
cessary papers were signed.
Tomorrow, at the latest, the institute
will be in full possession of the building
t and ready to render aid to the sufferers
not already provided for. The exact
method of work has not been outlined, but
will be when the quarters in the old hos
pftal are ready for occupancy. This will
>not*t take long, for the very good reason
fI,a++ 4
have been moved, isin good condition, and
very little shifting :of furniture will be
necessary to prepared it for the reception of
the homeless.
/ In applying this most splendid of Chris
tian virtues, the institute expects, of
course, that many of the people of San
Francisco recognize that it is better to give
than to receive; and believing that, the
institutes committee in charge of this new
shelter for the homeless and hungry are
ready to receive contributions of all kinds,
money, food and clothing. and will act as /
wisely and widely as possible in the distri-
button. :::
The members of the institute propose to
/ 60 further in this work OF applied Chris
tianity than the mere caring for the suffer
>ers, from the fire. When, in the days to
come, the victims of that conhagration
shall have re-entered their own homes, the
doors of the old French Hospital win con-
/ tinue to open inward and: the members
will act as good almoners for the unfortu-
nate women and girls of the City who
I have neither homes; nor food, nor cloth
ling, " ho are eraaciated: by sickness and
mental worry, who. have none to hlep
them. This work, the mem bers of the in
stitute think, is the TRUE following of Christ,
andthey; propose TO continue on and extend
on; the same line. They are anything but
pleased, however, with certain statements
~ n hNy. 10 ln inc
particularly: those to the effect that it
was formed for the purpose of advancing
the. ideas of Professor Heron. At a re-
cent meeting of the. institute, the Rev. W.
y. ferguson. prepared the following state
ment of the aims, objects and. principles
of the organization:
The purpose of this institute is fully ex-
pressed in this statement from our eonstitu-
ton: '.To studyin common how to apply the
principles OF Christianity to modern problems
OF society Let it be very plainly and en-
phatically said that the institute was not
founded to "enfOrce the teachings of Professor
Heron" or of any other man. We are not
disciples OF Professor Heron, and he would be
the last man to desire that we should be. We
are disciples of Christ and are seeking to know
what he has TO say OF the problems OF our
modem life
We believe that his teachings contain the
solution of all our economic and social diff
.culties, and we wish to assert his teachings as
the law OF political and industrial life for the
world. Weare working in the interest of no
political party or sect or religion, but in the
broad interest of humanity.
We want to" rescue life from the service of
party and settaranism ana restore it to the
service of the whole people We have no con-
.troyersy with any one except in so far as he
may be opposed 10 the application of ChrIsts
teachings to all departments of conduct. With
such we do have controversy, because
God has a contreversy with him.
We want to know what are the principles
and methods by which men can righteously
acquire property, do business and govern the
city and the state. We want to know what
the second commandment and the golden rule
require of us, and what changes must be made
in our present methods and institutions before
we can obey them.
We expect that obedience to these great
fundamental laws will require changes little
short of revolutionary, but are not afraid of
their application, for we expect to have justice
and good order and government only when
these laws shall be supreme.
We have nothing to do with theological
controversies or doctrines, but we propose that
the church shall hear what the social teaching
of Christ is This 1t is our purpose both 10
study and to teach. We invite the co-opera-
ton of every one who approves this purpose,
and we Think we have right to expect the co.
operation of all who profess to accept, GER
tainly of all who really accept Christs teach
ings as their supreme authority in matters of
conduct. People of all churches and of no
church are welcomed to the institute who APP
prove cur principles
This statement is made to correct the mis-
takes that have appeared in certain reports and
interviews in our City papers, and that when
people oppose this institute it may be clearly
understood what it is they oppose, and why
they oppose it. live have made any mistake
in our purpose or in believing that the practice
of Christs teaching would correct our social
wrongs, we are ready to be instructed. Fur
ther, if we shall make any mistakes in our in
terpretations and applications of his teachings,
we are anxious to be set right. But we wish to
protest against being called "Herronites." We
cannot be disposed of in that way. We wish
also to express our regret that the presence of
such an organization as ours should be re-
garded as dangerous to any institution. We
hope to be dangerous to unjust institutions
only.