The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-03-15

Philanthropy the Subject for Discussion
Interesting Papers Read and Fine
Music Furnished.
The last open meeting Of the Women 8
Literary Union was held at the Pine
street church Saturday afternoon, the
matter for discussion being the broad
topic of Philanthropy.
Mrs. Clarke, the president, called the
committee in charge of the afternoon
programme to the chair, and Mrs. Charles
Day of the Wednesday club assumed the
care of the exercises. Mrs. White, Miss
Rice and Miss King gave the delightful
trio from Elijah "Lift Thine Eyes, with
pleasing effect, followed by an interest
ing paper on Philanthropio Fanoies VS..
Philanthropio Facts" by DIR. Jane Lord
Hersom. DIR. Hersom gave an interest
ing account of the history and growth
Of the modern idea of Philanthropy, show
ng how fancy in many cases had been
turned to actual fact and how much had
been accomplished. DR.. Hersom spoke
Of Brooke Farm as one of the first in
stances of the modern spirit in America,
aid mentioned BesaDt's book, "All Sorts
of Conditions of Men, as wonderful
epitoma of the organized spirit of philan-
thropy In London. Another example of
embodied fact against fancy was the
growth and results of Mt. Holyoke semi
nary. DR.. Hersom also mentioned several
other wonderful results accomplished in
the line Of modern philanthropy and
closed by quoting from some one that
unless a homeswere absolutely vicious,
it was far better than any Institution.
Miss King gave the next musical seleo-
ton, Crossing the Bar" by Dudley
Buck, which was real delight to listen
to, Miss Kings voice is so sweet and
sympathetic.
"Who Is My Neighbour the subject
of the next paper, read by Mrs. 7. E. Nc
Donald of the Excelsior club. was plea
for the extension of the word "neigh-
bor," and broader use of the golden
rule.
Mrs. W. III. Fem. An associate member,
gave a charming paper on "The Grace of
Giving AMI. Receiving. Mrs. Fem spoke
of the many changes that have been made
In the matter ofworking among the poorer
classes and of the power Of the Esprit"
brought to bear in the work, when a
worker gives herself, ia the doing. Great
progress has been made in the matter of
systematic giving. Mrs. Fenn felt that
our own city was well-equippsd in good
organized charities, and named several
of the working societies. She gave very
humorous account of an old fashioned
donation party to minister's family,
and closed with plea for earnest work
ers saying no one could be excused for
shutting her eyes to the world IF trouble
about her. Mrs. Fsnn was given great
applause for her graceful essay.
Mrs. B. II. Hazelton of this Wednesday
club, read a poem on the :" Fl omeless
Poor" followed by a trio "In the
World," by Hitler, delightfully."- given by
Mrs. White, Miss Rice and Miss King.
Mrs. Clarke again took the chair at
the closs@of the afternoons programme,
and called upon Miss Sarah Adams of
Woodfords to give report of her ex-
perience at q meeting of the Council of
General Federation of Women s clubs,
recently held in Washington. Miss Ad-
ans explained why the reports of the
biennial Federation had apparently
been foisted upon some of the clubs,
and gave short account of this years
nesting.
The secretary was called npon to read
some of the letters relating to eiuea-
tional matters coming up before our
state legislature and some discussion re-
garding it followed before the ADJOURN
ment was made