New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-07-15
CHURCH AND RELIGIOUS NEWS AND NOTES.
WORK OF VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLS IN BEHALF OF
TENEMENT CHILDREN.


The census Of 1900 reported s76,707 children
between FIVE and fourteen years of age in the
Borough of Manhattan and 231. 565 in the Bor-
ough Of Brooklyn. 1t is estimated that 301, 1e5
of those in Manhattan live in tenement houses
and 131, 1872 in the Borough of Brooklyn. a total
of 433, 157. The vacation schools of the Board of
Education. the fresh air funds Of newspapers.
churches and charities during July and August,
when the tenement house tots are turned into
the heated and unwholesome streets, provide
both recreation and friendship for thousands
of these little folks.
But neither the public school buildings occu-
pied by vacation schools nor the childrens
summer philanthropies are yet adequate to pro-
tect, befriend ed save the children from the
discomforts and dangers of the summer vaca-
ton season. To meet this need and to turn
into producers Of public welfare the millions Of
dollars invested in church property in New
York, which in many instances fails to earn
any dividend by service rendered, during this
period of the year, the Federation of Churches
and Christian Organizations in New-York City
has instituted a new department-the vacation
Bible school department.
Just at this season of the year the semnaries
and universities closing their doors and
thousands of Christian young men and
women who have shared in the culture and
uplift Of these are free to engage in some
earnest effort TO impart their knowledge to
the less favored, as in the great conferences
Of students at Mortified and Silver Bay. BY
utilizing church buildings, at the season when
church life is at it's lowest ebb, for the better
ment of child life in tenement districts. the
workers are bringing together the negative pole
of need and the positive pole of opportunity for
college zeal. Thirteen church buildings of seven
leading Protestant communions will be opened
five mornings a week for seven weeks in July
and August, and three earnest university
and college students will be placed in each
"a superintendent and two college women
assistants One period viii be given to a Bible
story suitable for children and to the singing
Of carefully chosen hymns to the best music
the singing being under the care Of a good musi-
cal staff. One period viii be given to industrial
work for both boys and girls. The Teachers
College system Of sewing. abbreviated and
adapted will be taught the girls, and basketry
and hammock making provided for the boys
Once week a talk will be given to the chill
dren What to do before the doctor comes"
or first aid suitable to their needs, and once
week on How to keep the doctor away or
personal hygiene. This department is under the
care of physician, who will besides exert over
sight in the schools so that the children's health
may he watched.
entire staff will be held in st. Marks Church
guild room.
This department of work is being instituted
and organized under the oversight Of the Rev.
r. G. Boville, who is devoting the entire sum-
mer to the work. and who founded the
movement. He believes that the highest type
of young men and young women can be
listed enthusiastically in practical work OF this
character.
The committee created to conduct this new
department comprises the City Mission secre-
taries of the Baptist Congregational Methodist
Protestant Episcopal and other leading COM
munions: the presidents Of Union Theological
Seminary and of the City Mission and Tract So
ciety, and every leading Protestant communion
In Manhattan and Brooklyn is represented.
"a seat in the public school and a spiritual
friend outside it for every child" might well be
the motto of this work While certain to open
thirteen schools. the federation could as easily
open twenty, If the funds were forthcoming at
once, having church buildings offered and stu
dents aVailab bic.
Any who desire to assist this work may send
contributions to Harvey E. Fisk treasurer No
IL Broadway Manhattan. The schools are Pro-
Cathedral, Stanton-st.; De Witt Memorial
Church. Rivington-st. Forsythe Street Meth
odist; German Lutheran. 6th-st.; Young
Mems Christian Association, No. 142 2d-ave.;
Peoples Home Church, East 11th-st.; Judson
Memorial; Phelps Mission Building, East 35th-
St; Church of Messiah. 95th-st. and Sd-ave.:
Italian Tent, 112th-st. and 1st.-ave.; Christ
Chapel West 35th-st.; Congregational Tent
BROOKLYN Union Avenue Chapel Brooklyn:
Bethany Chapel, West 35th-st