The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-09

leSSneSS Doth poor ana rrlenulesS llsell-
We may take it for granted that this
is not due entirely to indifference 10
suffering and to the means of its allevi-
alton. Rather we may attribute it large
ly to ignorance of the society and It's
work. To do away with this is the great
ldesideratum at present. The society
does not fear the results of examination
--on the contrary 1t has the sangulne
conviction that information will bring
personal service and personal service
financial support.
There are two ways in which its work
may be advertised. so that all may be
kept in close touch with its progress.
One Is the usual and timehonored Gus
| tom of publishing case after case in
open meetings or in the daily papers,
! giving heartrending particulars and
specifying name, street and number
The work Immediately assumes an as
pect of reality, the sentimental and ten
| der-hearted are touched, the social con-
science eases itself by providing few
coins and bills. But with this method
1 the society positively and rightly re-
fuses to have anything to do. 1t would
thereby Illustrate its object at the very
outset. 1t knows too well that publicity
leads first to shame, then to callousness,
then to dependence. 1t knows also that
the worthy unfortunate have their
rights. Is this charity? Is this friend
ship? Is this ordinary kindness? The
sine qua non of effective influence is
self-respect on the part of the object.
Can this exist long with publicity?
Fraud and imposition will receive open
treatment, but that is the last and most
desperate resort; it should be postponed
until all other means of cure are proved
useless.
The other way of getting acquainted
with the society's work iseby personal
assistance in some particular case. That
VIII make 1t real and alive without re-
course to the details of every problem
that is under consideration. If we have
been interested independently in some
unfortunate person we may go to head
quarters and see if the help and advice
are not practical. If we are annoyed by
paupers every day in Office and shop we
may follow one or by means of the
assistance of the central office. If we
are in doubt as to the societys help
fulness to families either far down in
the depths of misery or only temper
arily unfortunate we may offer our SER
vices as friendly visitors This personal,
unselfish and kindly method of knowing
what can be done will be much more
permanently impressive to us. We shall
have passed beyond the stage Of curios-
realm of love, in which the welfare of
him whom we try to help will be our
welfare and his personal affairs as sac
red and secret as our own.
But facts prove that this second
method is pursued by comparatively
| few. The consequence is that only those
who know the work at first hand are
enthusiastic supporters with head and
purse. Others know little or nothing
about it Apparently too much patience
and thought are demanded. 1 suppose
one of the society's severest temptations
is to publish details so that the people
may know the work and that it's sym
pathizers may increase rapidly in num-
Der. But we remember how Jesus when
he was beginning his public ministry
was tempted to win public recognition
| by theatrical and speedy methods. eft
thou art the son of God, command this
stone that 1t become bread" We recol-
lect also how he cast aside the other
kindred suggestions. Better far to let
the growth be slow and genuine than ia
| have it rapid and hollow Similarly
with the Associated Charities. 1t might
win large following and a good sup
port If it would descend to means which
appeal to the surface of human nature
But this it will not do. Better only a
handful of adherents and a limited
sphere of usefulness if only the work be
sound. Better labor on as it is striving
now than to attract by superficial
methods. The great obstacle in Christi
path was the unwillingness of the peo-
| pie to see their own best good. The one
barrier in the way of this society's sue
cess is our blindness to true social pros
perity. Where is our national enter
prise? Where Is our social imagination
| We ought to see at a glance the i'm
mense worth of just such an associa-
ton in mercantile, professional and do
nestle life. We should be above the
need of detail or even experience tc
convince ourselves that this city and
our country cannot get along as well as
tney might without this federation OF
philanthropy
1t ought. however, to be clearly un-
derstood that the Associated Charities
does not ask for money and personal
service that it alone may be contented
and happy, but rather that we may be
prosperous. The former would be i'm
| possible, for it is we. 1t wishes support
only that it may be free to serve the
people of this city. It's welfare and ours
are identical 1t is the ideal of charity
blessing him that gives and him that
takes" 1t does not ask any one to give
with no expectation of return. 1t offers
/ 6QulNdleQl
to the financial outlay. 1t will supply
satisfaction quite equal to personal ser
wee. 1t is practical charity, claiming
to be of tangible and visible use tc
modern social life. If we give it liberty
we shall find it truly American--it will
be of the people, for the people, by the
people. So even if the general idea dc
not appeal to us, if we be not prompted
to assist 1t for the sake of cooperating
In humanitarian movement for its
own sake, ought we not to give it a trial
from the business point of view? If this
We're the sole motive of our interest
we should not be getting all
the pleasure me might. Our
point of view would be a trifie barren
But charity may still be charity and
at the same time profitable. Charity is
not measured by money return,
but by motive. 1t is quite as
possible to invest money in
philanthropy and profit by it as it is to
invest money in the raw material of any
commodity, put it on the market ready
for use and benefit the. buyer and one
self. 1t is no crime to be richer oneself
after making some one else more we'll
| to-do. The society makes it worth our
| while to use it and to support it finan-
cially and personally. AT this moment I
have in mind two persons, both it's gen
erous supporters, who not only regard
1 it a pleasure to cooperate in SO good
a work, but who think it also an ex-
cellent investment from every point of
view. A little consideration would con-
vince all to the same effect Every doc
/ tor who is harassed by those who i'm
pose upon his time and patience should
sft the good from the bad by handing
over each doubtful case to the secretary
and by becoming liberal contributor.
IL. m