The Saint Paul globe., 1899-02-22
Art AS AN ELEVATOR
ASSOCIATED CHARITIES DISCUSSES
IT'S REAL RELATION TO THE
POOR AND THEIR AID
THREE INSTRUCTIVE PAPERS
They Were Read Last Night at the
ParIOr Conference at the Home
of Mr.. and Mrs. Michael DOran,
bank, Mrs. DOrr and Miss
Emery.

The thirty second parlor conference
OF the Associated Charities was held
last evening al theehome of Mrs. Mich
ael Doran on Summit avenue, ard was
attended by large humber Music,
beauty and art, as the means OF elevat-
ing and improving the condition of the
poor man, We're the three attributes
adopted in the discussion of the subject.
Art as a Factor in Improving the
Poor" Three papers were read bear
ing on the subject, followed by quite a
liberal discussion of the arguments ad-
Vanced.
Mrs H. c.. Burbank read the first
paper en- The Ethical Value of Beau
ty." She asserted that beauty and
symmetry in nature had It's effect In
moulding and shaping the lives Of men
and nations. The mind was master
over the body and pictures of beauty
had q lasting effect on the character.
She rected the record of several of the
countries OF the old world, which pre-
served the productions of the old mas
ters, and said that history would only
repeat itself, when art was again plac-
ed on such a plane that it could be
enjoyed and appreciated by every one.
She disparaged the. scant facilities in
this country for giving to the poor man
these privileges. In the Old world art
was in evidence on every building and
its galleries were public institutions
Mrs Russell r. Dorr read a very in
tereSting paper upon, The Influence Of
Music" She said: THE content of
all true art is a high ideal of goodness,
truthfulness and beauty. One truth in
art is that only as art approaches the
mass does it come in touch with the
fountain OF life and power Music more
than any other art is blended with the
life OF the lowly and may be made one
of the most potent agencies in the bet
terment of the physical, mental, moral
and spiritual condition of the poor
man.
'"The old Greeks recognized the ther-
areutic value of music and modern
physicians are making frequent use of
it as a healing force 1t will be re-
membered that in 1892 Mr.. Tomlins
formed great choruses of children for
the worlds fair the effect of this in
struction upon the physical, mental
and moral conditions of these children
was so extraordinary that at once,
classes were formed for him at the
Hull house and among the various sub
urbs of Chicago, which have continued
to the present day. and I am assured
that no work done in these places
makes more for health and righteous
ness. The poor have but few musical
Instruments hence they depend upon
their voice to make the music at home
or at school. The faculty of song is
we'll nigh universal-to sing we'll is to
breathe we'll. and to breathe we'll is to
improve the health. Moreover we are
all agreed that the state of mind large
ly affects the body. Plato says harmony
affects the mind just as air affects the
body Whatever increases the happi-
ness of the poor or diverts their minds
from the grinding monotony of daily
routine must needs be Of physical bene-
fit. Music is the most popular of all
the arts because 1T is most readily ap-
pretended. There is a popular music,
but no popular architecture, painting
or sculpture. 1t is around bands rather
than statues that people gather in pub
lie parks -.7 ree,.l. -
Mrs. Door then spoke Of the music
in the public schoolssof America. New
branches were being introduced every
year. and educators all over the 'coun-
try were fast realizing the value of
| music in elevating the tone and stand
ard of the schools.
The last paper was read by Miss
Louise Emery upon Artistic Home
Making" She said in part: "a we'll
known English writer says Of house
keeping: Learn first the economy of
the kitchen, the good and bad qualities
| of every common article of food and
the simplest and best modes of their
preparation When you have time go
and help in the cooking Of poorer
families. and show them how to make
| as much of everything as possible and
how to make tempting little dishes,
cooking them into tidy and pretty
ways; pleading for well folded table
cloths and for a flower or two out in
the garden.
I'm every home there should be one
masterpiece: without it 1 believe it i'm
possible to make a home founded upon
the true principles Of art. This master
piece is not from the hand Of one of
the old masters, but a creation of the
master of the universe"
Miss Emery included in her paper
| many valuable suggestions for the
housewife in making beautiful her
home surroundings.
Father Dolphin, James F. jackson,
George II. Hazard Mrs. Burbank and
Mrs. Dorr participated in the discus
sion which followed.
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