The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-07-21
THE .PRIsoNERS' AID ASSoCIA-

THE PRISONERS AID AssocIA-
In composed OF earnest. Christian wom-
en-. banded together for the purpose or |
aiding awomeff OF all classes, who are
friendiess and homeless. or who have |
devIated from the path OF virtue In any |
manner. "The Sophia Little Home To-
Gated on Norwood avenue. command
ing a picturesque view Of the river, and
surrounded by open fields. is the home
where the work Of the association IL
prosecuted.
Eighteen years auo last January, Mrs.
Sophia Little, consecrated Christian
woman, conceived the idea of establish
ing a place for the friendless women
who leave our prisons, where they may
obtain all that will influence TO re-
formed lives OF usefulness. Formerly,
no matter how desirous these women
may be TO lead yirtuous life, all doors
were closed TO them and only such
openings were possible where the en-
vironment engendered "a continuous
repetition of rheir degradation. Mrs
Little enlisted the cooperation or
sufficient number OF influential people
TO establish the sophia Little Home.
and the work has been continuously
sustained very largely by donations.
Although the work was originally oe-
signed for those who have lost every
thing but their souls, IL has sine"
broadened and any friendless woman ls
welcomed and sheltered uptil an op-
portunity opens for her to make an
honest living.
Christian teaching. by precept ana
example, have won many TO lives OF
purity and usefulness. Miss Hunt, the
efficient matron, conducts Bible class
regularly, and each day Bible verses
are memorized by the women, with the
name of the book the chapter and the
humber of the verse. Morning and
evening services are maintained. Ev-
cry possible effort is made constantly
10 elevate the women spiritually ana
morally.
Training in domestic work Is care
fully given so that the women VINO
leave the home TO fiji positions, In
home. are capable OF doing any kind or
housework In excellent manner.
Little waits, who would have been
Graded i'm misery and sin We're " not
for the influence OF this home. are to
be found here At present two little
ones are i'm the home. one is Drlgnt
winsome little girl about three years Oh
age. who was deserted by her mother.
IL is hoped some kindly person WAi
adopt the little one.
One of the characteristics OF the
Christ is that of tenderness. He Is set
forth as the Good Shepherd and as an
indication of His love for the helpless
and weak. He is said 10 carry the
lambs i'm His arms one is reminded OF
His character when looking upon these
little babes. Can any better way De
found for showing our love Tor the
Babe who was born at Bethlehem than
by doing all we can TO help such llttie
ones as may De 1ouhd at the ooPhia
Little Homer"
Ii was OF women like some OF thess
that George Macdonald says: 1T al,
ways comes back upon me, as III mac
never known IL before. that womer
like these were OF the first Co under
stand our Lord They are IN God
hands. He has not done with them yet
Shall Il take less time 10 make Wom
an than to make world! Is not th'
woman the greater?
From the last yearly report OF tn'
association we CLEAN the following III
His name who came to seek ana u
save that which was lost, to call no
the righteous but sinners to repent
ance. who invited TO Himself the wear!
and heavy-laden, and who declared
that 10y shall be I'm heaven over on
sinner that repenteth more than owe
ninety and nine just persons wh'c'
need no repentance--in His name w
stretch out our hands TO those wh
have lost everything but their SOUS
and we strive TO win them back :
hone and repentance and right-livins
The managers and matrons work 70
eether for this end They make IN
home as comfortable and attractive a
possible. and give the women to fe'
that they can contribute towards keer
ing II so and reap the benefit OF 80 dc
ing Almost every visitors repol
speaks of the neat appearance OF Ut
home, OF the cheerfulness or the won
en-, and OF the harmony OF the worl
None but necessary and wholesome ~
straints are imposed. and infinite d;
thence is exercised in. pleading ar
dealing with those who resist these,
who fail TO appreciate -tneir prlVleses
A large. attractive new home is III
der construction "a block below IL
present ed,nce This building contain
hospital rooms. that are admirable
every possible sense: they viii be htt'
with up-to-date appliances Tor the T
lief OF suffering. Jt liz hoped that pi
vate patients may be secured, thus 4
creasing the financial income. II Is,
course wholly for women ana CIR
There will also be all the rooms on {
ground floor usually contained III
modern home. including sunny di
ing room that runs the entire length
the building, with an outlook upon I
river: there VIII be three stories abo
the basement the latter containing
modern laundry Zone OF the en-
sources OF income Is from the laundr
Nearly thirty single sleeping rooms "
bc fitted up for the women, and II
hoped a gymnasium will be Include
1t is expected that the house VIII
ready for occupancy by next Thanl
giving
I'm closing we wish 10 emphasize
fact that any woman or girl I'm need
friend may depend upon finding {
here. IT any one knows of a case o.
kind needing the help so freely q
gladly extended they will greatly ass
the good work by writing to the m
ron Many people are puzzled as
methods for helping the peculiar ca
treated here and it Is hoped this INF