New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-05

A. A. MGINLEY THINKS THE CONVENT
BRED WOMAN is ESPECIALLY FITTED
TO TEACH THE OTHER HALF.


In an article in The Catholic World A A. Nc
Ginley writes:
Every one is deeply concerned as to what will
eventuate from that period Of conventual secluson
through which many of young Catholic
women still put to fit them for their future.
After commenting upon the methods and teachings
Of the convent, he suggests that in way can
they be useful humanity than in Social
Settlement work
The Settlement" he says, lis seculartzed con-
vent. using convent methods of teaching order.
cleanliness hygiene. health, domestic economy and
harmonious living. besides the higher ideals of life
on the artistic side through art, the natural sci
ences and the cultivation Of fine manners.
We know well who the benehctaries OF this
phase of the convent life. least TO whom they
are specially directed The convent graduate ac-
quires a wealth OF culture and accomplishments
during the time she spends under the convent in
iuence that leaves an impress upon her character
for life. who gets the benefit of the cultivation
Of these same ideals within the household Of the
Social Settlement? Stand at the door Of one of
these houses in a city sum and watch. them they
troop in and OF the open door from early
morning till late night; the poor and despised.
the unfortunate and the misguided. the untaught
exile seeking know the ms and outs of this new,
strange civilization by which he is TO get better,
cleaner easier ways living than he could get in
his native land; and in contrast TO him. and far
more needy than he the victim of the abuses OF
that same civilization.
coaxed from the dirt and discomfort of squahd
homes to spend hour under the care OF
close after them the tired, overbUrdened moth
ers seeking relief for little while from the drudg-
sweeter and more worth while In their wake come
hearted school children TO read or to STUDY
the social worker, who becomes 10 each one or
these children of the sIums playmate. teacher
gniSe or friend according as the needs of the
moment prompt. These young women at the Set
sion upon the child mind and heart which are I'M
known unprecedented in almost any other rela-
ton between adult and child. II can have the
most powerful and far reaching effect upon the
me time being the social worker effaces every bar
| rier between herself and the child and meets It
entirely upon its own level. This together with
fact that these young women nave come vol9n-
while the humble ways with these little ones
bringing with them TOO, every g1l OF nature or or
fortune with which they are endowed 10 serve the
pleasure or the uplifting of the less fortunate
The convent is itself in the character Of It's work
ing system and In its whole condition of life on the
Socialism Of the very highest order Or. to estab-
sh comparison from ns Tsner n pol h World Is
the household Of the Social settlement when IN IN
almost an exact copy of the household conditions
"A number of women live a common life together
under one roof. bound either voluntarily or by
pledges into close association IN regular house
hold or family with a common ann OF leI anu
with d common system of living IN attaining IT.
feet harmony under the direction of a duly author
lied head. The similarity OF these cond1tSns on
roundlngs environment Of their respective house
holds in their resemblance TO each other, make
this more real.
THE ARRANGEMENTS of = Social Settlement and
its household appurtenances might indeed, as we
can see, have been copied from d convent house-
hold. And more than this, the religious and
artistic touches in the living rooms Of the convent
90 dtrTerentiate 1t much as one might ir1ag-
inc from the Settlement household as many of the
latter even entirely non-sectartan ones. have
proved by test the value OF a household atnos-
phere 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 Madonna. the Blessed Mother
is called by them, in every form aspect familiar
both the simple and the artistic mind. Indeed.
the ethics of the Settlement hang upon the prfn-
cipe that the silent influence OF right surround
Ings is the handspring after all is said and done
OF all sound and lasting teaching in the moral
order"