The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-19
Rev. +. III. Gavisk Tells of Methods of
st. Vincent De Paul Society in
Aiding the Poor.
DEPENDENTS OF THE STATE
GENERAL SUBJECT CONSIDERED AT
EVENING MEETING.
Interesting Sessions of the Confer
ence of Charities at Meridian-Street
Church-ROund Table Talks.

tied the State and local institutions yester-
day morning. The afternoon session held
at Meridian-street NJ +. Church was well
attended. The general subject was County
Charities" which was discussed in all its
phases by men from all parts of the State
in county and township capacities. one
of the most interesting addresses of the
afternoon was the last on the programme,
delivered by Rev. f. II. Gavisk, Of Indi-
annapolis. on the subject, 1.-The ST. Vincent
de Paul Society,"" In outlining before the
delegates the methods and workings of
the Catholic benevolent society he showed
that it did much good in a decidedly diff
ferent manner from the plans used by as
ISOLATED societies under organized chart
ties in the larger cities. The great diff
ference between the work of the Catholic
society and that of organized charities is
that one is done in quiet and secret man.
ner, benefciaries not being required to reg
lister and the aims given them not being
recorded, while under the associated char
ity plan all distributions of charity are duly
recorded.
He said the st. Vincent de Paul Society
had its inception in Paris years ago when
! a newspaper man discovered that there
was absolutely no system in charitable
work. He took for his model ST. Vincent de
Paul and organized a club of young men
| full of zeal to do charity work. St. Vincent
| de Paul was one of the greatest believers
| in charity, and hence the club or society
was named after him. Other organizations
under the same name have been organized
| in all parts of the world The principal de-
| sire of the society is outdoor relief.
MANY POOR BOXES.
THE funds for the society are raised
| by poor boxes, which you will see near the
| entrance to all Catholic churches" said
| the speaker. "Other funds are secured by
| private contributions and collections, all
of which are secret No one knows what
another gives for this purpose, and the con-
tributions are not advertised. The society
| is never without funds. The society is
usually composed of poor men. The Indi-
annapolis ST. Vincent de Paul Society is
| composed of about twenty persons and
the president of it is an express wagon
driver. who probably does not earn over
| 81 a day.
THE science of charity work, such as 1
| have heard discussed at these meetings, is
| absent from the St. Vincent de Paul So
| ciety. Each member of the society is as
| signed to a certain district. The recipients
| of charity are not known to others,
| and there is absence of the regis
| tration system. The society respects the
feelings of the poor It is primarily
| are religious men who are circumspect and
| impress the beneficiaries with the idea that
they must inculcate the desire for self
| help. The society does not discriminate
against color or creed, although in Idian-
| apolis the funds are rather limited, and we
spend most of the money caring for our
| own poor. In addition to giving aims, we
| believe in visiting, comforting and advis-
| ing the poor. There is no publicity about
| its work. A poor family is adopted by the
1lAcrz lnxyn fc tha
| the charitable work. The society has also
| institutions"
Preceding the address of Rev. Gavisk
were numerous talks by others assigned
for certain subjects during the afternoon
session. John M. Bloss, of Muncie, presi-
County Charities" He took for his theme
that the giving of aid to those who ask is
not always a charitable act it may be
doing harm to the recipient, md the latter
is probably the rule rather than the ex-
ception. This means, he said, that
when doing what we think is our duty as
officers acting for the people. have
failed more times than we have succeeded
The judgment of the applicant as TO his
needs. as well as the Judgment of his
neighbors, are not to be accepted without
question. Help that weakens the recipient
and prevents him from putting forth al
his energies to help himself is an injury to
him and the State. If help lowers the
| self-respect of the individual or his family
and tends to create willingness to re-
| main in their present condition in order tc
be worthy of future aid, or il the thank
| fulness of the recipient for aid received
| goes no deeper than congratulations, as il
| were, that you have done your duty as ar
official, then the aid most times has failed
| to permanently benefit the individual. Nc
| set of rules can be laid down that will
| meet all the cases. Each case is new
one, and must be settled upon its owl
| merits"
JUDGE ALIENS ADDRESS.
| The discussion of duties regarding pub
lie charities was participated in by mum
Ger of men. Judge Henry Clay Allen dis
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