The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-23
MEET FOR GOOD
OF FELLOW MAN
Virginia Conference of Charities
and Corrections in
Petersburg.
WARM WELCOME SPEECHES I
Mr.. John NJ. Higgins, Of Rich
nnond, Responds Many Ladies
Were Present.
WARM WELCOME SPEECHES
fspccial.. to The Times Dispatch)

PEE s11sfsBER vA.,SA1ay IA large
attendance, good speeches and a great
interest characterized the opening SEES
sion Of the nth annual meeting OF the
Virginia Conference. OF. Charities and
I Correction at A. p Hin Camp Hall to-
night. tp
Rev DR.. J.. NJ. Pitcher. OF Peters
burg, president of the conference, pre-
Jones. who made a courteous address OF
welcome.
Lassiter's Address.
State Senator Charles Il. Lasslter also
welcomed the conference in the follow
Ing speech:
Mr.. President, Ladies' and Gentlemen:
From the Introduction to the published
proceedings OF your fourth annual ses-
sion held at Norfolk two years ago.
learn that the conference has no official
connection with any institutions religious
denomination or other organization but
Is an Independent organization. under
the direction Of representatives Of the
various charitable, penal and rcforma-
tory institutions. benevolent societies and
workers In the fields OF charity and
correction throughout the State. And
further. that
educate the public mind to proper
conception OF the needs OF the INDECENT
and delinquent classes: to encourage a
humane and phianthropic spirit; to
create and foster deeper and moro
general interest In charity and reforma-
tory work: to procure dats regarding the
condition of the unfortunate classes. viz:
the destitute, the homeless and neglected,
the predetermined. idiots. the insane,
n,,na no ,o,.1 !
and to study the best methods OF relief
and correction: to discuss and solve the
various problems involved in pauperism
degeneracy. vagrancy and crlminology;
and to impress upon the people the ad-
vantage of organization In charitable
and correctional efforts
Abou Ben Adhe1n.
Upon reading this noble declaration OF
principles there came into my mind, as
presenting pen-picture Of the author of
these sentiments, that famous little poem
OF Leigh Hunts
"Abou Ben Adhen,--may his tribe in
Awoke one night from sweet dream Of
And saw, within the moonlight in his
room,
Making 1t rich. and like lily In bloom,
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem
bold.
And to the Presence In the room he said,
What writest thou? The vision raised
its head.
And with look made all of sweet accord,
Answered, 1.-THE names Of those who love
the Lord.
And is mine one?' said Abou. Nay, not
Z, So
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still and said pray thee,
then.
Write mo as one that loves his fellow
The angel wrote and vanished. The next
night
II came again. with a great Weakening
light,
And showed the names whom love of God
had blessd;
And To-! Ben Adhem's name led all the
rest"
Taking it for granted that the author
of your declaration of principles has
faithfully served to voice your sentiments,
cordially welcome you to the Cockade
City of the Union, and may your tribe
increase"
Not in Vain.
In the brief time allotted to an adj
dress of this character from my expe-
rience as Il member of the General AS
sembly of virginia, ! desire to bear tes-
timony to the fact that your labors have
not been In vain.
In great part on account OF your efforts
and OF the labors in season and out OF
season OF your honored treasurer. the
LEGISLATURE of 1906 created as branch
OF the Western State Hospital. hos
pital for the white insane epileptics Of