New-York tribune., 1902-01-05
THE FRIENDLY VISITOR.
HER VARIOUS ILLUSTRATIONS TO THE
TENEMENT HOUSE DWELLERS
on WHOM SHE CALLS.

THE resident Of Murray Hill has more right
to visit without invitation the resident Of Cherry
Hill than has the latter to call unlimited upon the
former" said a philanthropic worker in this city
yesterday. Want. OF course as an invi-
tation, but the desire to settle sociological prob
lens entities no one invade another's home
however little the home may be worthy of the
name
1t is upon this principle that of the charita-
bic societies of the city work. The oldtime
custom of forcing missionary visits upon deni-
zens of the tenemerts with more material pur
pose than the distribution of religious tracts is
a thing OF the past, and, although the num-
Der friendly visitors is probably greater at this
time than before in the history of the city
the over5urdenod mother of the poverty stricken
family is interrupted in her work less often than
Of old to listen readings of the Scripture and
prayer.
Tenement house visiting is important feature
Of all philanthropic and many of the religious So
ceties of the city and the work is done by both
paid and volunteer workers. y difference of opin-
ion, however exists in the minds of the different or
ganzations regarding the relative value of the
paid and the unpaid visitors. While the City Mis-
sion declines TO send out any but trained workers
in its direct employ, the Charity Organiza-
tion Society issues repeated calls for volunteer
workers, who shall act friendly visitors with
remuneration
1.-The friendly visitor" said of the workers
of the society yesterday is apt to put more
heart and sympathy into her work than is the
working for her daily bread. but no one
Is allowed to make visits for MS until she has had
experience enough to insure her not doing more
harm than good. New people sent unimpor-
tant errands until they show that they ready
for duties of greater consequence.
Women who have time and leisure to give to the
work have many things to learn before they are
ready for the management of serious matters. AS
a rule such visitors first unable to discrimi-
nate between the necessares of life and the luxu-
ries and are apt to be unwise in their judgment
of what should be done for a hungry family. The
gift of a dozen oranges and lemons to destitute
family by a kind hearted but unwise Ca
well known writer. by the way well illustrates
this Then. too. an unframed worker often has
the oldtime idea that those suffering great pow
erty be lifted from their condition by friendly
aid without exertion from themselves. while every
effort of modern philanthropy tends to help those
who are down to solve the problems Of life for
themselves. This, experience has taught is the
only true help.
THE UNUSUAL WOMAN THE BEST.
TT is the unusual woman who makes the best
friendly yisitor-the woman who. either by intui-
ton or experience. has Judgment in domestic af-
fairs. combined With unlimited tact and store OF
common sense Then too, the visitor must be de-
pendable. That is. her people must know that
when she makes them promise they can depend
upon its being fulfilled"
All organizations receive numberless applications
from students Of sociology to make 1isits for them
or with their visitors for the purpose Of becoming
familiar with the conditions Of the slums. These
a rule discounteuanCed although sometimes
a single perSoU-ncyer two-is allowed TO with
the regular caller. Nothing more speedily impairs
any effort for the uplifting Of the degraded than
the feeling that they are being made the objects Of
curiosity.
For another there arr many ten"-
ment visitors the city Most OF the social tile
ments become acquainted with the families of the
children OF the various classes and members or
tie library: the missionary organizations Of the
city call upon members Of their congregations ana
Sundav schools. and make visits through their
neighborhoods for the purpose OF finding fresh re
CrlIitS. The charitable societies visit those who
appeal to them for aid and keep watchful eye
on regular beuciCiaries
Both the Salvation Army and the American Vol
Uuteers make IL rule 70 visit every family with
iu prescribed districts beginning at the top OF
house after house and calling at every door on
the way. The purpose OF these visitors Is TO Invite