Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-12
aid FOR THE POOR
Rock island Associated Charities
to be Recognized This
Evening.
CHURCHES UNITE IN Meeting
Addresses by ReVs. Marquis and Law.
renee and DR.. J. w.
Stewart.

ThlS evening at the First Method
ist church meeting will be held for
the purpose of reorganizing the Asso-
ciated Charities The committee re-
Gently appointed to draft the constitu-
ton and bylaws will make its report
and the election of officers will be
Eeld. 1t is understood that the COM
mittee will recommend no changes in
the old constitution and bylaws of the
organization, as the ma jority of those
interested in the project are of the
opinion that the old basis of organiza-
ton was entirely satisfactory, as
judged by the experience of the first
years work. 1t is probable that the
officers will be elected under the old
constitution. and the work of the asso-
citation carried on under these regula-
tions.
Have Union Charities Service.
The congregations of the First
Methodist, Memorial Christian. Broad
way Presbyterian and the Central
Presbyterian churches held union
service last evening at the First NJ.
e. church. in the interests of the Asso-
ciated Charities. The service was we |
attended. During the meeting cards
of membership were taken by 90 per-
sons on payment of 81. The service
opened with the reading of scripture
by Rev. r. B. Williams. pastor of the
First Methodist church, followed by
prayer by Rev. w. S. Marquis. of
Broadway Presbyterian church The
first address of the evening was made
by Rev. o. W. Lawrence, of the Me
mortal Christian church. who spoke
on the subject 1.-The Obligation CT the
Community to the Poor" taking as his
text, Romans 1.-14,-T am a debtor.
both to the Jews and the Greeks. both
TO the wise and the unwise.'
Debt to the Needy.
Rev. Lawrence's address was in
tended 10 show that the people of the
community who have means to give
are indebted to those in needy cir
,umstances. He called attention to
lie greater bencvolence of the pubic
n late years. mentioning the Calves
on disaster. and the call for help in
the case of the India famine. Both
of these cases, it viii be remembered.
brought a response of millions of do,-
lars from the people of this country.
The address by Rev. Lawrence was
followed by a very pleasing reading
by Miss Gertrude Don. entitled The
Christmas Substitute" Rev. w. S.
Marquis. pastor of Broadway Presby-
terrain church, made an address on
THE Value of the Associated Chair
ties" The main point brought out By
Rev. Marquis was the advantage of a
central organization. The cases of
poverty are carefully investigated.
Rev. Marquis presented some Stats
tics as to the causes for poverty. show
ing that less than % per cent of the
cases were the result of the use of
liquors. while over IS per cent were
caused by sickness. insanity, neglect
shiftlessness, and bad management
He said that the best results are to
be obtained by organized effort. and
warmly commended the Associated
Charities. Prof. Thomas, of the Mo-
line high school. rendered a SOLO, Not
there. my Child
Work Begins In ISO7.s
The closing address was made by
DR.. j. w. Stewart, the president of
the Associated Charities, who pre-
sented a historical sketch of the work
of this organization since it's founda-
ton in 1897. During the first year
of its existance 125 families were CIV
en- assistance. and something like $500
was distributed. In 1902 only 46 fam
lilies were assisted. and the total dis
tributions amounted to about 1912.
Mr.. Stewart attributed the decrease
in the work of the organization to 4
lack of funds and a lack of workers.
Before the close of the meeting $50 in
InarnharShiD fees Ind honn nladOnd