The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-12

disease or complaint requiring special
medical treatment. have resided In Provi-
dence at least ten years next preceding
their application for admission and for
whom the sum OF $500 has been paid. shah
be admitted into the home as beneh-
ciaries. except by the unanimous vote of
all the directors present at any one meet
ing OF the board, the number present be-
ing not less than 49,
The officials OF last year were reelected
for the coming years as follows: Presi-
dent, General Elisha II. Rhodes; first vice
president, Rev. James q. vose. D. D.;
second vice president. Joshua M. Adde-
man; secretary, Miss Martha p Barstow;
treasurer William r. Crandell.
The address OF the afternoon was made
by Rev. Mr.. Selleck. and in part was as
follows:
This Home for Aged Men admirably
illustrates the very large place which
Christian philanthropy has come TO oc-
cupy In the modern world. 1t Is one OF
many expressions Of the sense OF social
obligation, which Is a growing power
everywhere In the present age. What
society owes to the individual, that is
to say. the responsibility of society to-
ward the individual, especially toward the
needy Individual, may be said to be one
OF the great. vital. ruling Iaeas or senti-
ments of our time. And perhaps nothing
more strikingly.
INDIVIDUAL HAS RISEN.
but the individual has steadily risen
In value, and the needy individual
whether destitute, deceased, Reformed.
or very old. or however otherwise handl-
capped in the race of hfe--has been In
ereasInsly cared for. partly by strong
partly by voluntary associa ations, and
partly by the state.
Now. at length, SO vast has been this
have reached the opposite extreme from
that of antiquity; that is to say, we are
so emphasizing the duty Of society to the
society exists for the sake of the indi.
vidual. and should do a great deal more
for him than IL has ever yet undertaken
SO our educational and charitable in
stitutions multiply. whose name Is al
ready legion. and year by year we 90
farther and farther in saying that the
do this. and score of other things for
the Individual 1t is all an insnring
story of humane progress, and shows 70
the Christian gospel has been incarnated
In our modern social life.
This institution Is mainly form OF
who are almost wholly dependent To
only a very slight extent can a return
be expected for benefits conferred; for
this mlnistration comes after the day OF
life Is far spent.
''Yet. Just as far as possible, II must
be wise TO afford it's benefciaries oppor-
tunities to be useful. and II may be
necessary some times TO insist upon some
little services In cases where there Ia
ability, but disinclination TO render them
while the doors OF the home should be
lovingly but wisely and firmly guarded
against those who still can, ana shpuid
carry their own load In the march ol
civilization.
II believe IL Is the enlightened policy
Of those who have the administration oi
this noble institution In charge to try
thus TO blend wisdom and love-Christ
like wisdom and Christ-like love.-so tha,
each individual shall be really helped and
not hurt and no that society may grow
stronger even as II grows sweeter iron
age to age