The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-12
UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENTS
What They are and the Great Work
They are Doing.
DR.. j. A. Hielscher Reads an Interest
ing Paper Thereon to the S. S.
Club.

Gay Dr. j. a. HlelSCneT Tedu uuS
paper upon university Settlements"
giving in the brief space allotted a
splendid idea of the work being &C
complished through this movement.
The Doctor stated that "philanthro-
ply finds it's origin in sympathy or
fellow feeling for ones kind. By
all of US, this is deemed proper, in
fact, we regard it as our sacred duty
to provide for the starving, the suffer
ing and the homeless. Each of US
would instinctively turn out Of our
way to help man in sudden illness
or distress" This feeling is shown in
two ways. BY giving money, cloth
ing, etc, to some society or instltu-
tlon for general distribution, and by
so living that one sets an example
that always influences for good. The
first proposition often does more harm
than good. The second proposition is
along the line of which University
Settlements are the direct outcome
and practical solution. The writer
then entered into history of the
movement, which he said should be
called Social Settlements. The
movement originated in England in
1867, when Richard DenniSon, theO-
logical student Of Oxford, conceived
the idea that the poorer classes could
not be reached by the ordinary meth
DDS of charity and missionary work;
that one must become one Of them,
enter into their lives, in order that
labor in their behalf should not be in
vain. He followed out this idea. In
1875 he was joined by Arnold ToVnbee,
a university man. They took up
their abode in one Of the worst parts
of London. They were looked upon
with distrust at first, but their in
fiuence gradually widened and the
character of the neighbOrhooG in time
elevated. The outcome of this work
was the organization of the University
Settlement Association in 1885 and
the building of "Toynbee Hail." To-
day there are many such settlements
in the worst portions of London and
some Of OXfordS brightest and best
men are residents therein and the in
huence of their work is far reaching.
So far as religion is concerned their
work is entirely non-sectarian.
The first movement of the kind in
this country was started by DR..
Stephen Colt, in New York city, in
1890, and he selected for the location
of his home what is known as "Sui-
eide, Crooked or Typhus ward" He
commenced by inviting the boys of
the locality to his rooms, got them
interested in each other, and himself,
organized them into club. Through
them his influence grew. The girls
were interested and formed into clubs,
and the attention of the older people
finally secured,
Other settlements were noted, in
Guiding that Of "Hull House," in
Chicago, which has been the most
successful of all in this country. The
/. Doctor gave quite detailed and most
interesting history of this "settle-
ment." The governing ideas of these
settlements is embraced in the follow
ing: 1st All work is to be personal.
End. Nothing is to be done by the
/ residents, that can be done by present
existing organizations. Sd. There
must he no PROSECUTING. 4th. The
neighborhood is to be developed from
within. 5th. The people are to helI
themselves. The residents are to di
rect only.
The main object of the work is the
general improvement of the masses
morally, physically and intellectually
and this is done through teaching
club work and anything and every
thing that will arouse in the people Z
sense of wider, healthier and hap
pier state of existence. The settle
ments also use their influence to pro
tect the people against unjust de
mands of employers, for better SAM
tary arrangements, for schools, etc.
The Hull house was established il
1889, and takes it's name from it's for
mer owner 1t is situated in one O
the worst quarters of Chicago. 1
represents no association, but wa
opened by two women, backed b.
many friends, who believed that thu
''mere foOthold of house. easily &C
cessible, ample in space, hospital ant
tolerant in spirit, situated in tn,
midst of large foreign elemen
which so easily isolate themselves il
American cities, would prove in itsel
a serviceable thing for Chicago"
history of it's work was given, and tn
good it has accomplished is of untolt
value. It's influence is felt in al
walks of life ia that locality, and
constantly spreading and strengthen
ing. The object of the house is social
educational, humanitarian and civic
and its work in all these lines wa
wildly pictured.
T., tho nocfnr hplipupf