St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-02-04
Our Boston Letter.
College Settlements and Their Work.

College Settlements and Their Work.
have lately become greatly inter-
ested in the college and social settle
ment work in Boston. These set
Elements" are not charitable institu-
tons. They arc composed OF young
men and women, most Of whom are
college graduates, who, from pure
love of humanity, take the Golden
Rule as their motto, and choose to
live among the poor and degraded
people as their neighbors, and to
treat them as such. 1t is not an easy
thing to make these people accept the
attentions OF the settlement residents;
there is pride in the North End as
well as on Commonwealth avenue,
and any attempt at Stunning" is
resented. SO great deal OF tact
must be constantly used that the
workers may help and not offtnd the
poor people. There must be none OF
the air of the Lady Bountiiul," no
detective work. The idea must con-
stantlv be to "lend a hand in the
spirit of mutual helpfullpess.
The first college settlement, "Toyn-
bee Hall" was established in London
in 1884. Now nearly every large
CITY has one or more Of them. They
are situated in most unattractive
parts of the cities, where the popula
ton is dense and people OF all nation
alites live in small and uncomfort-
able tenements, and where help is
therefore most needed. The residents
of the settlements seek not to oppose
any existing organizations, but to
aid them, nor do they thrust any
special form OF religion upon the
people.
In Boston there are several settle
ments under different auspices. Den.
nison House on Tyler street has beer
in very successful operation for some
time, and the South End House, also
doing good work, was established
by Andover graduates and formerly
bore the name Of Andover House.
am indebted to Miss Manning o
the Ben Adhem House, Roxbury dis
trct, for the following facts concern
ing that settlement.
THE work of the Ben Adhan
House is unsectarian and it does M
proselyting. 1t aims to do its par
in bringing about recognition o
the unity of humanity. The worker
in this home are constantly trying t.
keep in mind the thought that low
and wisdom are the only things tina
will help to bring about better con
dition Of things. An effort is mad
to direct activities into productiv
channels instead of those which ar
destructive and mischievous. In
stead of scattering energy over a larg
territory they try to take in certai
: number of families and do all tina
can be done for them. The little chi
dren are gathered into the kinder
garten and the older brothers an
sisters into various clubs and classe.
the mothers into mothers meeting
' and both parents into the neighbol
hood parties. The aim is to raise t
u a higher level the family life Of tt
neighborhocd. Ben Adhem Hou.
seems most truly home, since it ha
; two little ones, the children of res
q dents, living there.
& There are two classes in sloyd ar
lately the boys have been very e
Enthusiastically engaged in buildir
some model boats under the dire
tion OF skilled boat builder. The
- is also class Of boys and two OF cir
- in water color painting which a
. making remarkable progress. Tn
~, paint entirely from objects. The
are also classes in wood carvin
" physical culture, singing and Shall
w speare. Each class meets twice
- week.
:, 1.-THE neighborhood parties are
great success, and are much app
y" ciated. So, also, are the enterta
ments which are furnished from ii
to time. The lives OF the parents
!, so full OF toll and hardship that
-, first it is difficult for them to rel
49,, and give themselves up to recreat
49,. and social intercourse. Cultured p
~ pie are always invited to meet tn
neighbors. to the advantage
= both classes.
.. Last summer home was est
lished in Med6el1, Mass, II m