New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-23
FRIENDLY VISITING.
IT'S INFLUENCE IN THE WORK OF CHAR
ITY ORGANIZATIONS EXPLAINED.
MISS SMITH TELLS HOW VISITORS MAY BE Sc
CURED. HOW AND WHERE THEY CAN
ACCOMPLISH GOOD RESULTS


Miss znpha D. Smith general secretary Of the
Associated Charities OF Boston. the speaker
yesterday morning 10 the class in philanthropic
work that met in the library Of the United Chart
ties Building Her subject was Friendly Visiting
Of the Poor"
This visiting does not" Miss Smith said. "neces-
sarily start from charitable organization work.
Sometimes people entirely unconnected with such
work become interested in family individ
ual and fall into the way of making friendly visits.
II frequently happens that a nurse who has at
tended the sick Of poor district finds that she
can benefit the well by giving them some hours
Of her time in a friendly way"
The difficulties experienced by the visitor in get
ting a personal acquaintance with the people and
winning their confidence that they will accept
sympathy and mental and moral aid were shown
10 be many. Instances cited Of the tact
necessary TO employ in giving relief OF even this
kind and Of the trial the workers have with per-
sons who are both Incompetent and diffdent 10
the extent Of refusing to believe they do any
thing for themselves. Miss Smith declared. how.
ever that for such cases It was well 10 remember
Klngsleys advice. to rather encourage than to find
fault
Concerning methods adopted IN doing the visit
Eng and in securing visitors. Miss Smith said they
have to be governed by circumstances. Appeals
for visitors are put in the papers especially when
q particular thing IS wanted. such as assistance
IN speaking foreign languages in getting certain
kinds OF work for disabled persons. etc. and the
success In securing workers comes sometimes from
keeping before the people the results OF visiting
Each visitor should have the work most nearly
adapted 20 him her. u has been found best to
give 10 novice two families a time. in order
that the experience gained may not be taken as
general.
For a trained visitor TO take four families at
time has been found sufficient. and the work should
be arranged that part Of II is for present need
and part for future Some visitors get discouraged
and are inclined TO give up when their advice is
not taken. Miss Smith spoke feeingly of what
she called the perennial struggle with the half
hearted visitor" and then OF the contrast. OF the
over-enthus.astc. She said that the hard times
have kept back. the growth OF the OF friend
~ visiting yet the number Of visitors in three
districts in Boston Is now 20l OF whom twenty
eight
Miss Smith alluded 20 the influence OF literature
in connection with the subject and said IL
not thought best 10 give to visitors any OF
the works on charity visiting. but that experience
was the better teacher for them learn from
In regard to her book charities Miss Rich
mond said she would ike 70 caution people against
using II much. II not meant take the
place OF personal touch. and was chiefly meant for
communities where organizations exist.
After the discussion the class made visit 10 the
Wayfarers' Lodge and TO the woodward OF the
Charity Organization Society. and later Hartley
House. To-day the class will meet 9 o'clock in
the usual place for conference and adjourn to the
new building OF the United Charities. Twenty
frst-st and Second-ave, where DIT Lee X Frankel
will explain the work