Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-10
CITY'S CHARITY WORK
REV. JOHN VAN SCHAICK BEGINS
SERIES OF SERMONS.
Discussed Associated Charities in
Discourse Of Yesterday-Results
of Speakers Observations.

Rev. John Van Schaick jr., pastor of the
Church of Our Father, yesterday morning
inaugurated a series of sermons on the
charity work in the city by preaching on
THE Associated Charities of Washington"
He took his text from st. John, 9:6: And
He anointed the eyes of the blind man
with clay" In speaking Of relief work, and
especially that of the Associated Charities,
Mr.. Van Schaick said in part
THE expenditure for charity Is enormous.
Statisticians tell us that public relief taxes
amount to 81 per capita and that private
benefaction taxes the community for as
much more. 1t would seem as if all classes
were trying to obey Christ's injunction to
distribute to the poor, but the usefulness OF
some methods are questioned In the Dis
trict of Columbia there is a society-ine
Associated Charities-which, better than
any other / know, is trying to do CHRIST s
work In caring for the needy. Its corps OF
consecrated workers, it's wise managers and
its brave and patient general secretary are
prosecuting one of the most important
works in the capital city of the country.
Visits the Alleys.
"In the last few weeks have been visit.
ing some Of the alleys and by-streets In the
city, where men and women are living
worse than the beasts of the field, and lit
tie children are dying Of starvation. The
Associated Charities workers are battling
with these conditions constantly. In some
of these places you will find little children
eating on the floor in dark, damp, steamy
rooms, while the mother washes your cloth
ing and the husband lounges at the corner.
There are 279 hidden alley in Washington,
where conditions of this nature Will be
found
''The Associated Charities of Washington
has an underlying principle, adequate
treatment 1t has been learned that II
pauperism is to be destroyed not one shill-
ing must he given thoughtlessly.
Careful investigation is given by the
Associated Charities Of this city to every
case. To the one class is given relief, for
the other is found employment and for the
third stringent measures are employed In
connection with the effort to inspire self
respect. Adequate treatment means that
1t is continued long enough to take fam
lily from the depths, set them on their feet
and make them useful members of society.
The Salary Question.
Some people say that in the Associated
Charities high salaries are paid; that
money which ought to go toward relief is
used to run bureaus and oil expensive ma
chinery. If any one so believes he or she
can contribute to the Citizens Relief As
ISOLATION, and every penny of the money
will go toward the direct work of relief.
salaries 1 have approached the subject
without prejudice. In fact, I had leaned
more to the side of those who cried red
tape 'officialisn,' Extravaganza; but now,
after two years study, l can say from the
bottom of my heart, Thank God for every
dollar of salary paid in the Associated
Charities of this city. I have not found so
useful body of workers anywhere. Larger
return is coming from the expenditure of
money for their salaries. greater good is
being dore by it than by any other equal
sum used in this District of Columbia.
1.-The general secretary and his assist
ants are prosecuting splendid work of
education: churches and benevolent socie-
ties are learning how to work; rational
methods Of dealing with poverty are being
introduced; pauperism is slowly dying. The
poor are finding not aims but friends
Every cry Of distress from the needy is be-
ing answered, but best Of all, the other
half'-the upper half-are being taught
their stewardship, their direct responsible
Hy for conditions of wrtchedness. To the
Associated Charities of Washington every
church, Protestant and Catholic; every pa
triotic society, northern and southern;
every Individual, religious or non-religious,
should give their earnest and enthusiastic
support -