New-York tribune., 1900-05-16
HELPING FAMILIES.
WHAT THE MADISON SQUARE CHURCH
HOUSE DOES FOR IT'S PEOPLE.

Workmen were busy yesterday breaking ground
>or the Christian Settlement which the people Of
DIT Parkhurst's church (the Madison Square Pres
bvter.an) are about TO erect. II viii be near the
old church house and will occupy the ground
which the three stores and dwelling houses at
Thfrt.eth-st- and Third-ave. cover Miss Ellen
L Haines. the associate superintendent when
seen yesterday by a Tribune reporter said:
our work is NOT among the vicious and de-
bic poor who do not belong 70 any church and
oversight l believe that the time is coming when
the SUM mission that rescues and helps the
our Christian civilization, but that in its place
will be the mission that makes such things impos-
The only new feature that we have yet decided
upon for cur new church house will be q roof gar
The Church House does large work among the
families Of the neighborhood. mothers meeting.
q kreche. choir gatherings, two clubs sewing and
military classes. a "Steadfast Circle" Helping
Hand Society" a dispensary and an information
and employment bureau are among the many in
stirutions.
The children are boarded by the Church among
the farmers OF Connecticut in the summer
there is a barge excursion for families. and young
self-supporting women are sent away 10 a summer
resort.
And in all this there Is no pauperism" said Miss
Eaines. We help peor~ over hard places, bur
We help them only 10 place where they help
themselves The Ladies' Visitation Society supple
ing the families and approaching them on the level
sisterhood giving them counsel and advice help
ing them 10 become true hOmenakers, getting them
interested in Libraries. galleries. lectures etc
and helping them financially through the mission
when help is really needed. In order TO avoid
pauperZlEg II IS expressly urged upon the visitors
recommendation OF one Of the superntendents Of
the mission One of the converts classes here pays
half the support OF q student at the Moody Bible
Institute yearly, another class contributes
the support OF missionary OF the American Sun
Gay School MON. and another class supports
missionary II South Africa Mss Parker's children
VIII send II a little While a sum OF money 10 the
Indian famine sufferers.
We zee tilaI I IS gOoo 70 encourage the spirit
OF free giving among our people, and not 10 en-
courage them in the belief many people have Of
missions viz, that they are soup Kitchens mere
relief burea aus"
While Miss Haines was speaking. a little boy OF
about ten years came in and asked for work and
he was sent a position.
Miss Halnes is member OF old South of Ire
land family. and has many pleasant "reminiscences
Duchess loved 70 picture. She was one Of the first
workers 70 stand beside Mr. Moody ar the Bible
Institute in Chicago and she has been long at
the Church House that she is known 10 every fam
ny in the nelghborhoOd and IS welcome visitor at
every home
Miss Anna Parker who is at the head OF the
chlldren'S work and the director Of the music and
singing. has earned for herself the title st
Courageous" More than eight thousand children
attend her meetings every year. She gives black
board talks on temperance and the Gospel. visits
the little ones in their homes. and endea vOrs
70 plan entertain I1ents and sOciabes that Will
brighten the common task for them. Her choir Of
forty boys and girls is Of the principal attrac-
tons OF the Thursday night Gospel service Several
Instances could be given Of whole families niu-
enced for good by one OF her children.