St. Paul daily globe., 1896-03-16

ing that he had been informed that st. Paul
had one of the most perfect and effective or
ganizations in the United States Similar
compliments have recently been paid by VIII
mngton, N. c., and Brooklyn parties.
Whether Jew of Christian, ST. Paul sees
duty to humanty-to reduce it's suffering
and to try to restore the unfortunate to nor
NAL conditions. 1t recognizes the fact that to
be effective its efforts must be concentrated.
This Is especially true as the city grows in
years and in size
The Associated Charities is economical Of
ADMINISTRATION; because by conference and
contact, the various societies tend to special
iZation in their work: because combined
strength can provide trained Investigations
much cheaper than each society could pro-
vide for itself; because 1t determines il there
really is need; If so, just what is needed. We
often find there is no need; or, less articles are
needed than were asked for; or that the need
is not such as to be best aided by the society
requesting investigation. 1t is economical
because when 1t becomes understood that an
application means an investigation, unworthy
applications decrease, and instead the appli-
cants make better provision for themselves.
Under the separate system in some cities
there are sometimes two, three and even four
Investigations Of case by separate societies
before it reaches the right one. The effect
upon the applicant of repeated inquiries is
hardening.
Following Secretary Jackson, Mrs.
Hlgbee, who has long been engaged in
the work of friendly visiting" spoke
upon that phase of the question, as
applied in this city. Mrs. Higbee said:
Friendly visiting is the most natural,
unot1c1al and effective method of help
ing the less fortunate of mankind. 1t
is the work of the individual for the
Individual, and is divorced, so far as
possible, from those material things
which make up the outward circum-
stance of life. 1t is taking thought
for others. 1t is help-giving, not aims
giving. 1t deals with character. 1t
centers in the individual with the view
Of so educating and invigorating that
he shall, after while have power to
change his own environment. The
friendly visitor must have patience, for
character is not made in a day. She
adopts but one or two families, wins
their affection and confidence and en-
deavors by personal influence and
practical suggestions to improve their
condition. She is not friendly WIS.,
itor" because she pays few friendly
visits, leaving the family much as she
found it. She brings the very best Of
herself to the home of the unfortunate.
What she Is, rather than what she
does, influences and promotes the well
fare of her family, yet she neglects
nothing which will aid in developing
self-respect. She will encourage and
assist every able-bodied member Of the
family to get work, and it often hap
pens that those who have rejected
work from many sources take it and
keep it under the watchful eye of the
friendly visitor. She will know how
the youth Of the family spend their
days and their evenings, with the hope
Of preventing associations such as have
been made known to us recently
through the work Of heroic women. She
realizes that the home must be i'm
proved. She carries her convictions
with her and works out, in her own
way the problem of health, virtue and
happiness in the family she has adopt
ed. For convenience, the feminine
pronoun is used, but many wise and
sympathetic men are engaged in this
work. Friendly visitors confer once a
week and get advice and encourage
ment from each other, and often prac-
tical aid"