The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-06-05

thority on the subject Of education from
Catholic standpoint. has given expression
to some interesting personal opinions in
connection with Social Settlement work.
He says:
Everyone is deeply concerned as to
what viii eventuate from that period of
eonyentual seclusion through which so
many of our young Catholic women are
still put to 1T them for their future"
After commenting upon the methods aad
teachings Of the convent. he suggests thzt
in no way can they be more useful to hu-
mainly than in Social Settlement work.
The Settlement" he says. is a secu-
larized convent. using convent methods CT
teaching order. cleanliness. hygiene.
health. domestic economy and hsrnoaiCus
living, besides the higher ideals Of life OF
the artistic side through art. the natural
science and the cultivation Of fine name rs
I'VE know well who are the bsnehcfa-
ries Of this phase Of the convent life, or
at least 10 whom they are specially d.
rected- The convent graduate acquires
wealth OF culture and accomplishments
during the time she spends under the
convent influence that leaves an impress
upon her character for life. But who gets
the benefit OF the cultivation OF these same
ideals within the household OF the Soc-a
Settlement? stand at the door Of che Of
these houses IN a city slum aud watch
them as they troop IN and out Of the ever
open door from early morning till lats
at night; the poor and despised. the unfOr-
tunate and the misguided the untaugAt
exile seeking to know the ms and cuts
Of this pew. strange civilization BY which
he IS to get better. cleaner. easier ways
Of living than he could get in his native
land; and in contrast &c him. and far
more NEEDY than he, the victim OF the
abuses Of that same civilization
Here come the tiny tOddlers who have
been eOaxed from the dirt and discomfort
Of sQualid homes tc spend an hOEr or so
under the care OF the trained kindergarten
teacher. and following close after them are
the tired, Oyerburdened mothers seekins,
relief for a little while from the drudgery
Of life. and 10 find cut ways to make il ca
sier, sweeter. and more worth while In
their wake come the free hearted school,
children to read or 70 study or 10 play fos
a little while under the direction OF the
social worker. who becomes TO each one Of
these children OF the slums playmate
teacher. guide or friend. according as the
needs Of the moment prompt These young
women at the Settlement exercise an in
fuence and leave an impression upon the
child mind and heart which are unknown
or unprecedented in almost any other re-
lstion between adult and child Il can
have the most powerful and far-reaching
effect upon the young intelligence for the
simple reason that for the time being the
AL
herself and the child and meets il entirely
upon its own level This. together with
the fact that these young women have
come voluntarily out OF the higher walks
Of life 10 tread for a while the humble ways
with these little ones. bringing with them.
too every gift Of nature or Of fortune with
which they are endowed to serve the pleas.
ure or the uplifting Of the less fortunate,
makes last appeal
The convent Is itself. in the character
Of its working system and in It's whole COZ
ditiOn of life on the purely natural side an
actual school Of Christian Socialism OF the
very highest order Or. 10 establish COM
pariSon from the other point OF view. the
school OF Christian Socialism in the world
is the household Of the Social Settlement.
which in all its system o. living. on The
practical side l. almost an exact CODY OF
the household conditions OF the convent
a number Of women live common life
together under one roof. bound either vol
unfairly or by pledges into close association
in a regular household or family with a
Common aim OF ideal and with a common
system Of living in attaining Il: all striving
together in mutual friendship and perfect
harmony under the direction Of duly au
thorized head The similarity Of these con-
ditions on the wholly natural side is very
strong and the surroundings OF enyirop-
ment OF their respective households. in
their resemblance to each other. make this
even more real
The arrangements OF q Social Settle
merit and its household appurtenances
might indeed. as we can see. have been
copied from a convent household. And
even more than this. the religious and ar
tiStic touches In the living rooms Of the
convent do not differeEtiate it 50 much as
household as many Of the latter. even en-
tirely on-sectarian ones. have proved by
test the value OF a household atmosphere
created by having constantly before the
mind representations in pictures and IN
imagery of the highest Christian Ideals
The walls Of some Of the Settlement houses
are literally lined with pictures OF the Ma
donna, as the Blessed Mother IS called b.
them in every form or aspect familiar to
both the simple and the artistic mind In
deed the ethics Of the Settlement hang
upon the principles that silent influence
OF right surroundings is the mainsprig. aft
er all is sais and done. Of all sound and
lasting teaching in the moral order"