New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-26

WORKING THEORETICALLY IN THE PRIS-
ONS AND THE ALMSHOUSES- HELP
THAT is APPRECIATED

The Guild Of St Elizabeth organized In 1876
by the Rev. w. Il. French of the City Mission for
work In Bellevue Hospital. on Blackwelrs. Wards
and RandalrS islands. the courts and city prisons.
ON Christmas. Thanksgiving and other festivals
ii provides dinners and sometimes entertainments
for institutions on the islands Members of the
Guild visit the Charity Hospital and the Aims
house on BlaokwcIs Island weekly. least: IL
occasion deHnards more frequent visits made
They take decaci"s to the sick and minister to
them in many ways. give tea and sugar to the
old women and tobacco TO the men of the Aims
house. read to them and write letters for them
TO the women the appearance of the kind tea
and-bun-and-sugar ladies' is the event of the
week.
The rcadingroom below tho Chapel of the Good
Shepherd is ii favoritc OF the old men. The
chapel WAS tho Gift of George Bliss The reading
room is for the OF the inmates OF all the insi
tutions and is open daily from 40 a. m. to 40
D. IN. 1t contains circulating library OF more
than a thousand volumes. magazines and
English and German newspapers The books OF
the library are largely standard works on history
theology. etc. and are not nearly so much in de-
mand az the periodicals. Gifts OF newspapers
magazines aud lighter hooks are appreciated. Yet
some OF the now dependent on charity have
asked for Greek and Latin classics
when the Almshonse people die II their bodies
are not claimed by friends they are buried In tho
pits OF the Pottcrs Field on Harris Island Many
pressed the thought that after death they would
he conscious Of the con Hilton OF their bodies lying
i'm heaps with others. and would be disturbed by H.
The Guild OF St Elizabeth has burial fund and
so far ~ il Is possible it provides Christian burial
for members OF tn" thurch.
Much of the work Of the Guild Is given TO the
ondeayo- To reclaim young women who are dis
charged from the Workhouse and other institu
lions Work is sometimes found for them in good
homes when this cannot DO done at once they
are nersl,aded 10 go temporarily 10 the care Of the
House OF Mercy the Midnight Mission, the Door
~ Hone the Margaret Strachan Home or other
homes for rescue work. Al the prisons luncheon
il nroyded for girls who are on trial, and who
arr. often Obliged TO wait at the courthouse from
N a m t. , or y. m For those who are too
moor TO engage "A lawyer. witnesses to former good
character are looked up Delicacies and clothing
ars sometimes provided for sick prisoners and
s,amns and writng-paper for those who wish TO
communicate with their friends. In one case the
Guild paid rent for fourteen wee"s FOR the dell
ITO wife and child OF prisoner This prisoner
after release obtained employment. and Is doing
well - -, ,,,,,,o,o ,ho, cuud
,rc,nbers shall be- womer. but there Is only one
~ on its membership roll. Mrs. $. Il. Nelson
10 A. West Tventv-ffth-st.. is president: Mrs j.
S,ndu,eli No 100 West Seycntieth-st.. vice-p resi-
dant. Miss curtis NJ East Forty -frst-st. secre-
~ and Mrs Bsekmnn de Peystrr, No. lul West
rtyhtv-drst-st treasurer Meetings are held on
- s,..crd Wedn, sddy Of each month.
Q