The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-05-15
Letter From Helen L. Manning.

oONlAI WYNN ~ bNpAC%N'
SoMERvILLE, MASS. Apr. 20, '96.
The most approved method for engagin
in philanthropic work within the last te'
years is the social settlement. The purify
ing, uplifting influence which comes from
few christian men and women establishin
a home center in the midst of squalor, mi:
cry and immortality, is above estimate,
they but live there in quiet unobtrusiyenes:
their atmosphere and presence begin tn
transforming process without direct effort
To establish relations of true neighborlines
and friendship so as to insure confidence,
the first step. This must be natura
growth--it cannot be forced. The beautl
full, well.ordered lives OF the residents d
the preaching, and it is vastly more effectu
al than ostentatious words. 1t is the live
we live, not the professions we make. whicl
count in any community. Emerson's forci
BILE words are forever true: ''What yol
are-thunders so loud that | cannot hea
what you say"
A brief resume OF the different socla
settlements in Boston, will doubtless be O.
interest to your readers.
The first of its class to be established il
Boston. was the Andover House. The
name has since been changed to the South
End House. 1t is located in Rollins street
1t has been open for continuous residence
for six years, which is the longest of any
one in this country. Robert A. Woods, one
of the founders, is still the head worker.
He is a Pennsylvania boy. To prepare
himself to engage in this enterprise, he spent
some time in a similar work in Toynbee
Hall, London, previous to coming here.
There are four or five assistants who re-
side in the South End House, but these
change from time to time. For other help
in carrying on the clubs and classes. they
draw upon their friends who are interested
and who become responsible'for certain
portions of the work. This is the practice
in all or nearly all of the other settlements.
They have clubs for both boys and girls,
and have recently opened reading and
game room for men oyer eighteen years
where smoking is allowed. 1t is very well
patronized and heartily enjoyed by the men
of the district. The rooms of the house are
beautifully furnished, and are opened on
stated occasions for the use of the neighbor-
hood.
The next most prominent settlement in
Boston, is the Dehison House, which is
carried on by college women. 1t was named
for Charles Denison, who was one of the
originators OF the college settlement in Eng
land. 1t is located on Tyler street and the
chief worker is Miss Dudley.
Toe Prospect Union. Cambridge, is the
largest social settlement work in the world.
Its workers are almost wholly drawn from
the teachers and students of Harvard Col.
lege. Their services are entirely voluntary,
but there are always more volunteers than
can be used. The very best students in the
They really offer to the working men of
Cambridge, liberal education. A won
derful meaDs of self-improvement is afford
ed through the societies and clubs which
they are helped to carry on themselves,
such as debating clubs, etc. They also
have cooperative society in connection
with the work. Many fine lecturers are in
cluded in the class work.
The Lincoln House, Shawmut Ave., is a
flourishing settlement house. 1t includes
quite large industrial school where boys
and girls are practically trained in various
occupations and trades. They publish a
paper which they print themselves.
The Epworth House, Hull street, North
End, Boston, has dispensary, the services
of nurse, boys and girls clubs, etc.; and
distinct from its social work, does mission
airy work In the interests of the Methodist
church.
The Hale House, named for Edward
Everett Hale, Is carried on by the TOlstoi
Club of his church, whose motto is TO find
out "How the other half live." This newly
organized work is on Decatur street. They
have reading room and the privileges of a
kindergarten under city auspices.
The Dorothea House is on Warrenton
treet. 1t is small and does its work In a
quiet way. The residents all have regular
occupations, and simply give their spare
time TO the work.
The Elizabeth Peabody House in the
West End, works mainly through the kin
dergarten and the training of teachers for
settlement work. 1t is the only kinder
garten settlement in the world and has
quite wide influence.
The Ben Adhem House is doing modest
work at "a Mall street, in the Roxbury dis
trict 1t was opened December last, and
its basis is practical idealism. There
are three residents at present.
The Y's of the w. G. T. u, are prepar-
ing to open settlement in the near future.
Besides the regular settlements enumerat-
ed, there are twenty or more boys clubs In
the city, embracing in more limited way,
the idea Of settlement work. Some of
these are carried on by individuals and