The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-30
BIG HEARTS AND SOULS
MEN WHO LABOR FOR CHARITY'S
SAKE MEET AT ENGLIsH'S.
Inspiring Addresses Delivered Before
Charity Organization and Indian
apolis Benevolent Societies.

The annual meeting of the Charity Or
ganization Society and the Indianapolis
Benevolent Society was held at English's
Opera House last night. There was a good
sized audience present, and many people
prominent in charities in this city were on
the stage.
A number of ministers were present and
took part in the exercises. The invocation
was by the Rev. c. NJ. Pierson, pastor of
the Friends Church.. and the benediction
was by the Rev. Mayer Messing. Other
city pastors delivered addresses. The mu-
steal features of the evening were by sing
ers from Central-avenue NJ. E. Church. the
music being under the direction of Edgar
NJ. Cawley. There was a chorus, Praise
the Lord" a song. 1.-The Morning Light Is
Breaking and a baritone solo by Mr..
Christian F.. Martens. From the Depths
was sweetly sung by Miss Litta Grim.
whose superb contralto voice filled the
theater with melody.
Mayor John w. Hoffman, in presiding
as chairman Of the meeting, made brief
remarks. in the course of which he said:
There are gathered under this roof to-
souls of our beautiful city. In this meeting
denominations and sects play no part.
Here all creeds are merged. In this COM
posite picture there stand up distinct and
clear faith, hope and charity, the links
that form the chain OF a common brother
hood. and. In the language OF the apostle,
the greatest OF these Is charity.
MEANING OF CHARITY.
Charity is more than almsgiving. 1t is
love for one another; it is a kindly feeling
and sympathy for our brothers. 1t is that
which makes our hearts throb with pity
for every form of wretchedness. 1t is the
human manifestation of the divine love.
There is flowing from every heart here to-
night a kindly feeling. a tenderness and
sweetness that shall be an inspiration for
even a closer union, for higher ideals and
greater harmony, bringing US all nearer
the mercy seat. 1t is more blessed to give
than to receive If we give rightly. Though
/ bestow all my goods to feed the poor, IL
l have not charity 1T proateth me nothing
II We give charity we invest a part of our
better nature in those upon whom we be-
stow our bounty. 1t opens our hearts and
let's our brother in. and when we let him
in God will enter with him."
The Rev. Allan B. Philputt, pastor of
Central Christian Church, talked to the
audience on The Juvenile Court: Its Pro-
baton Officers" He had familiarized him
self with the work of this court and told
of it In an interesting way. George w.
| Stubs, judge Of the Juvenile Court, had a
seat on the stage near Mr.. Philputt and
was much interested in the address.
This is not and should not be thought
of as a criminal court said the speaker.
Its object is to benefit and save the chill
dren. Some, Of course, are punished, a very
few, even, sent to jail. The larger num-
Der are released on probation. Before the
court grants a hearing In any case the paid
probation officer visits the home and finds
out all about the environments, habits and
previous conduct of the child. This enables
the court to come to a more intelligent
Judgment as to what is best. If the child
Is released on probation some one is given
the oversight of 1t with a view to it's i'm
provement-this is the volunteer probation
officer. The offender visits the person so
appointed every week or two, as may be
agreed upon. and he, in turn, occasionally
visits the child.
MANY GOOD RESULTS.
"A relation Of helpfulness is thus estab-
lished and usually in six months the court
feels justified in releasing the child from
it's Jurisdiction. Out of 200 cases only seven
have been brought back for a second Of
Tense. In many cases these boys and girls
have never been in close touch with any
one whose life was an inspiration to bet
ter things. A strong, wholesome man or
woman can arouse in these children a bet
| ter nature and weed them out into lives or
purity and usefulness"
Mr.. Philputt cited an instance of a young
woman of good family. who became proba-
ton officer for a young girl. one of a group
who were going on in a very bad way. The
young woman invited the girl to her home;
was in securing her a POSI-
tion where she would be shielded from
temptation. THAT girls whole life said
the speaker, has been changed and In a
very short time she has. it is believed, been
rescued by the goodness OF this noble young
woman from a life of sin. This, my
friends. is a good work. 1t is the best
kind of religious work-just what the church
is trying to do"
1.-The Forward Movement in Indianapolis
Charities" was the subject handled by the
Rev. NJ. L. Haines, pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church. Hold the Fort was
a stirring hymn of its time.' said the pas