The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-01
OrxAnisnd Chnrity.

| idsia OrxAnised Cnarlty.af
TO THE EDITOR on THE NEWS:
sur wsh by this communication Il
Sail tne attention OF the charitable pu b
lc 10 the seed of more general anc
Practieai lnterest In the service being rem
aereo Y the Providence Society for Or
sahizing charity. The society offers:
l. To investigate, without charge
cases referred TO IL and TO report results.
Z 10 hnd employment, so far as posi-
ole Tor those out OF work.
.. 10 procure necessary relief from
proper sources.
The Society asks the public:
l. Torefer all applications for aid from
strangers 10 Its Office for investigation.
:. 10 send the names OF all persons and
Ismllies receiving aid from private
9. To assist In obtaining general coop.
eraiion srh and support. Cards for use In
cisty at Its office, 20 Market square.
IL protects the charitable public from
various kinds of imposition, but better
than all else, II has opened a door of op-
portunity through which our loftiest as
pirstions may De most effeotually realized
wan, anyone s having the spirit OF Him, who
WENT apout doing good, are invited to
shere In Its service. All such may be
SIRE OF hearty welcome.
4 oome OF your readers have stated that such
organizations are not religious enough
.or Them. i pity such, and hope that
they Will make better use OF their reason
ana the teachings of the New Testament
The liberal unsectarian methods, which
some critics condemn, give our organ IA.
| tion pre-eminent claim upon the co-opera-
| tion and support OF all who believe and
| practice practical philanthropy.
| starving and shivering bodies some
times forget. that they have souls. The
n or lot 30
VINO Is most distinctly conscious of bodily
wants, offends and repels. The culture OF
religion In stately temples, with accom-
paniment OF charming music and thrill
ing eioquence, Is accounted a luxury
that makes the very name OF religion re-
puisive to some of the poor, and the occa-
sion OF bitter envy to others. But the
Iriendliness that meets one, in the want of
which he is conscious and bestows sym
pathy and help at Just that point wins
confidence. 1t gains power to lift the
needy upon higher plane not only of
physical culture, but of spiritual con-
sclousness and aspiration.
Our city pastors lament the dwarfed re-
ligious life In the churches to which they
minister. Many good men themselves la
ment that they find so little scope for the
penefcent spirit that is In them.
10 this want our Charity Organization
addresses itself In II can be found work
enough for the development of the best
energies that religious love and self-sacri-
fioe for others inspires.
1t says to one who Is willing to do SER
vice. Here Is family in want. We know
their want and it's cause We know their
dependency. We know that they have
but little confidence in religious effort.
We know the cheerless, the frightful out
look for the children, already premature
ly wise In the knowledge of the world
on its dark side. Some special distress has
brought them to our door We entrust
them to your care. Bestow upon them
your heart. Win their confidence. Point,
lead them upward. Take the commission
as In Gods name, that this family may
engage your thought and time and pray
er, and may become at length your joy.
1t is task that an angel might covet. II
is task that the Divine Son eagerly ac-
cepted, and so in Gods name we offer IL
to you.
"The Holy Supper is kept, indeed,
In whatso we share with another's need,
Not what We give, but what we share
For the gift without the giver is bare:
Who gives himself with his aims feeds
three,
Himself, his hungry neighbor and me-"
1t cannot be done by lectures, by meet
ings, by literature.
Public assemblies and cold printed
facts, advice and exhortations are weak
compared with the individuality OF a
kind, genial, unprejudicial, self-sacrific-
Ing student OF human nature, who having
taken in hand, character, weak and de-
formed or depressed, 10 influence 1t for
gooo, bends all his energies toward devel.
oping It into complete manhood and wo-
manhood.
1t may be that some OF your readers
may wish TO serve as friendly visitors to
the homes Of the needy. If so an abun d.
" Ia nff h,,t h.. t.
whose behalf make this appeal. Such
service Is often OF more value than a Gift
OF money. 10 any who thus serve, tho
following methods In use by some OF the !
most successful charitable organizations |
may be of service. |
1. Adaptation in choice of family to |
the trend OF mind, opportunities or abili- |
ty of the visitor.
2. A thorough study OF the family his
tory and surroundings, with special refer |
ence to the cause OF distress.
3. Watchful interest in each mem Der
OF the family content only when some in
dication 10 furnished from each, of pro-
gress In one or more particulars.
4. Practical indications OF genuine
through courtesies, kindness
and helpful suggestions.
8. Securing affiliations with appropriate
schools, societies, churches
and other good environments A.
fality, but information, and bstter than
my OF these, some special line Of thought
IN the direction OF helpiulness to home
life.
Z. Do not be discouraged or expect re-
'ults too soon. The beginnings of success
ire sometimes hard 10 recognize.
II has become more and more evident
hat the great work OF charity in the fu-
ure is to consist not so much In aims CIV
ng as In efforts to educate the poor, to
trengthen their character, to lift them
lp physically, mentally and morally.
Those who serve as friendly visitors
an do much In behalf Of the poor by
,iving them instructions in domestic hy-
,iene, especially as regards proper venti-
alton, good cooking, the preparation Of
ood for the sick, the preparation and
living OF medicine, personal and house
old cleanliness, the use OF economy In
uel, and other aid which may be neces.
ary.
The visitors find that those they meet
re glad to have q friendly ear in which |
hey can pour thcir trials, to have some
ne to enter the home and give them a
title ray OF sunshinc and Joy.