Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-04-11
VARIOUS SOCIETIES FOR PUBLIC GOOD

In the New-Century Club Friday--Re-
ports Read, Showing the Good Work
That Has Been Accomplished.
There was large attendance at the
annual conference of the Associated Chari-
tics and other benevolent institutions
which met Friday morning at 1870 o'clock
in the New. Century Club parlors,
Among the active workers representing
different philanthropic and benevolent
fields were: Mrs Benjamin Eields, Miss
Margaret s. Hllles, Mrs. Lindley 9. Kent,
Mrs. Lafayette Marks, Mrs. a. ID. Warner,
Mrs. Thomas Darlington, Father du
Ruyter, Mr.. Haynes, Bishop Coleman and
others.
The meeting was presided over by Daniel
w. Taylor, who in introduction said:
"There must be change in private benevo-
lence. Men and women must learn to
hulD themselves and must be conducted OH
business principles. Those of us who live
to next century will see many of the social
and economic questions of to-day settled"
The report OF the Female Benevolent
Society was the first read. The rooms
were opened December 4th and closed in 1.
March. Over 300 women were helped by
sewing, and from emergency fund 50. A
total of 100 persons were helped through
winter by developing spirit of self-help
we hope to reach the true aim of charity.
Mrs, LAFAYETTE Marks followed with an
interesting report of the Industrial Home,
During the past year ten girls have been,
submitted to the Home and three placed
out on trial. Under the present system of
grading only those who have reached the
grade of trust and honor can return to
their own homes, or be placed in
other homts. This system consists OF
four grades. the third second first and ,
trus. and honor. The first three are
designated by ribbon badges. brown. blue .
and pink. The silver badges for the honor I.
tad IN ha naVnff
by Bishop Coleman and five of the girls
have been recipients of his generosity the
past year.
The Home for Friendless Children was
represented by Miss Josephine Warner.
who said The Home Is one of the Oldest !
of organized charities Just entering its /,
18th year and calls attention to successful
crowning its efforts. Seventy children are 7
now receiving advantages of home care,
education and outdoor exercise. In re-
gard to caring of infants under 2 years OF |
age, department was opened as nursery
| three years ago"
A report was received from David Mc.,
| Coy of work done by the almshouse OF
| last year. The inmates the past year have
ranged from $50 to 275. There were 50
deaths.
Father de Ruyter, concerning the work
| of st. Joseph's Home for Colored Boys and
Dispensary, said THE idea is to form a
home for colored boys who are orphaned.
| We have at present 40 boys, ranging from
| 3 to l6 years. The institution is supported
| by donations especially from the working
class of people, mainly from the West.
| One thing essential is to impress colored;
| people with the necessity of using their
| education. My great aim in 70 years (
| among the colored people is to give them
| a good education and then put them 10
work. Teach them trades. A black man
can apply his education to trade and
make respectable citizen"
The report of the Froebel Kindergarten
| by Miss Mary Mather. showed successful
results of this educational centre in that
section.
Miss L. ]. Benham and Miss Alice
| Smythe read reports of the work done by
the w and Y temperance unions.
Ferris Reform School report by Mr..
| Haynes, showed an attendance of 60, SO
| white and 81 colored. They are received
from 0 to l6 years of age, and are kept un-
til 81. When sent out he is visited oc-
casionally by managers. Boys are given
three hours schooling for nine months in
the year. The manual training department.
has been a success. Many of the boys have
become quite proficient.
The Provident Society work was reported
as entirely satisfactory. The kindergarten
at Front and Madison has done good work.
A large number of women have been
helped. The report was read by Mrs. Will
liam II. Hill.
Delaware Hospital report was read by
| Miss Bowman. Twelve hundred and
thirty-four persons have been cared for,
1000 in dispensary and 23i in main depart,
ment. OF these $50 were in the eyes, ear
and throat department. Our sphere of.
usefulness is limited, and greater financial
aid is needed. OF the Is free beds all are
usually filled and sometimes six cases are
turned away. Emergency cases are always
received.
The Associated Charities reported "A
resident families helped; 60 through self.
supporting persons; through various em-
ployments about 800; a large number of
women referred to Provident Society for
help in sewing; a60 orders for coal and
food given during year.
Bishop Coleman spoke of the useful
work of the Nursery and Hospital for
Babies and Church Home. The quarters
are much overcrowded. Forty have been
refused the past few weeks. The Hospital
is only intended for children under two
and one-half years, and is to meet the
wants of applicants to nursery, for which
parents We're not able to pay. 1t is en-
tirely q faith work
The Church Home is conducted by Sister
Margaret and is chiefly among the poor
and degraded of the colored race, and is
doing q most beneticent work.
Mrs. Kent read the report of the visitors
of the Associated Charities. Wherever pos
sible work has been given. The number
applying the past winter were less than of
preceding years. Work is what is wanted,
but temporary help has been extended in
several cases. Friendly visiting has been
of great service to lind conditions and
what help is needed.
The West End Reading Room has been
most successful. II is not merely a reading
room but club for Young men and boys
and represents somewhat the y. NJ. G. A.
The Boys Brigade gives 10 boys the
advantages of military drill. The West
End Choral Club takes in membership
of nearly hundred. The reading room
and library are open to all. the only re-
quirement being orderly conduct. The
high water attendance is 1000 reached last
January. More room is needed.
| Mrs. q. b. Smyth read a report of the
work of the Homeopathic Hospital. The
management gives great satisfaction. Two
hundred and two patients were attended
during the past year. Nurses in great de-
mand; 10 calls; Il could not be supplied,
and sent out for charity. During last
half of last year II medical cases were
treated; % maternity and "a surgical, with
"a in the dispensary, and LOS prescrip-
4 tons filled.
Willard Hall Porter said concerning the
work of the 5. z. e. c.: I'VE are doing
last year. Over 400 children brought; 800
white and 100 colored Ia were taken from
vicious circumstances and placed in homes
here, in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New
York. We only have rs members and
occasional contributions from the Levy
Court and Legislature. We are therefore
limited. We want nominal home where
we can put children temporarily, pending
investigation"