The morning call., 1895-01-20
AN OASIS OF LIGHT.
Culture and Refinement Will
Be Spread.
THE SETTLEMENT AT HOME.
Science Of a Better Mode Of Life to
Be Taught.
ALL SOUTH OF MARKET STREET.
What The San Francisco Settlement as
ISOLATION Is Now Doing and
Proposes to Do.
THE SETTLEMENT AT HOME.
ALL SOUTH OF MARKET STREET.

Culture, knowledge and refinement have
gone south of Market street to dwell. The
gospel of higher and better civilization will
be spread by actual contact among the
jewellers in the precincts where refinement
is supposed to be practically unknown.
The wisdom acquired by scientific applica-
ton and rehearsal of the ethics OF better
mode of existence will be dealt out with a
free hand that fears not the contamination
of contact with the ignorant and uncouth.
knowledge will be dispensed not at the
end of long pole or through blowgun at
long range, but directly from lips TO ears
and from hand to hand.
The San Francisco Settlement, headed
by Professor Bernard Moses of the State
University, has taken possession of the
field and active operations have begun.
Professor Moses, with his family, has
moved into the settlements home at Is
South Park, and thus is formed a nucleus
of intellectual light, of culture and refine
ment that is destined TO shed its beneticent
rays far and wide, even into darkest San
Francisco.
The idea has prevailed in the public
mind that it was not good.tO live in certain
localities. There has been an imaginary
line of social division between the sections
inhabited by wealth and poverty. All this
was wrong, of course, and to prove this the
San Francisco Settlement has been perma-
nently located where it is. One of the
principal ideas worked upon is to eradicate
class distinction as regards place of abode.
Professor Moses and his associates believe
that culture, refinement, knOwledge-in
short the higher civilization-can be estab-
lished to thrive and grow Just as well in
one place as in the other. They propose
to teach what they know to the ignorant
and illiterate by the kindergarten method
of actual demonstration.
Boys and girls clubs have already been
formed for the purpose of mental and So
cial culture. The little ones, ranging in
age from to IA years, meet in the main
hall of the building on different evenings
through the week. They are questioned
as to their needs and their views of life,
and in this way the knowledge which they
most desire can be Immediately given,
clear and pointed and with an impression
that will not fade with the day. The first
lesson of all is taught the little ones with
out their being conscious of the fact. They
are given to understand that they are
human beings-factors in a great ciyiliza-
ton, the possible makers or marrers of
society in the years to come. Each mem
Der, boy or girl, is given place in the uni
yersal economy as an important entity,
which has direct influence on every other
entity with which he or she may come in
contact. In short the first studies are
composed of primary lessons in the science
of life-how to live and how to be happy.
As the work progresses the settlement
will organize clubs Of young men and
women. of the old and of the middle-aged.
1t will be kindergarten school for children
of all ages, from the fodder of years
10 the gray-haired grandparent of 20.
IL, +I,o -
class distinction will prevail above all
things. 1t will be a commune OF mind, if
not of matter. Everybody is everybody
else's equal within the settlements walls.
The wise will be valuable, inasmuch as
their wisdom will be useful to others who
have it not. The ignorant will be equally
useful as showing the knowledge that is
most needed to be taught. And to all will
be unfOlded the higher purposes OF life.
The kitchen garden and sewing school
in connection with the settlement are fea-
lures of interest as well as amusement.
This department Is presided over by Miss
Ethel Beal who is assisted by a dozen or
more of leading society young ladies. The
latter come regularly twice a week and
mingle with the hundred odd young girls
who come to learn. The little ones are
taught the intricacies of housekeeping in
every detail. All kinds of household uten-
sils in miniature are there-diminutive
stoves, pots, pans, beds, dishes, chairs,
brooms, knives, forks and other things
without number. 1t is an interesting and
amusing sight to see the little toddlers take
practical lessons in the work of everyday
life All kinds of sewing and cutting OF
garments is also taught by the same young
ladies, who would never think of making a
garment for themselves.
The settlement may now be said to be an
established fact on a sound financial basis.
The rent of the building is guaranteed by a
generous lady of great wealth in this city.
Besides, there are over 100 members, each
of whom guarantees to pay S. year. 1t is
believed that fully 100 more members will
be secured within the next month or six
weeks. The household expenses of the in
mates of the settlements home are paid
pro rata, and it is happy family.
The council of the Settlement Associ-
alton consists of the following ladies and
gentlemen: Professor Bernard Moses.
presidents Professor Angel of Stanford
University, Miss Mary Kincaid, Miss
Ethel Beaver, Miss Fanny Mclean, Miss
Jean Parker, Miss Virginia Fitch and F. E
HAYNES. Victor 0'Brien is the secretary
Mr.. Haynes, the general manager of the
settlement, yesterday stated that it is the
intention of the active workers to gather
about them number of young men from
that portion of the city and to organize
them into good government club to take
part in the present movement for reform.