New-York tribune., 1907-09-28

Congregational Church at Sherman. Penn 1t was
there that. in 1877. he began IN an humble but
earnest way the great work that was later 10 de-
rnand his entire time and energy and that has
brought health and happiness to hundreds OF thoH-
sands of children from the citys tenement houses
One day as he was driving through the country
he inspired with the idea that 1t was selhsh
for him TO enjoy so fully the flowers the green
grass. the fresh air and the manifold beauties Oh
nature. when there were countless girls and boys
in New York and Brooklyn. who had never had
chance even TO see the country. He at once de-
ter1nined TO do what he could to give at least
few little ones a taste of the country life that
he so much enjoyed
Returning TO his church. he proposed that II some
of his parshioners would open their houses TO poor
city children he would undertake to raise the
money for their transportation and to conduct
them from and back TO their homes. At first he
met only opposition to his plan. The good people
shrank from the idea OF taking into their families
a lot Of ''untaned hoodluns from the -slums." BY
dint OF argument and persuasion however he at
last converted a few families to his views; at
any rate he succeeded in getting them TO make
the experiment His first essay was made with a
party Of nine children. Their condition on arrfv-
ing their general tractability during their visit
and the marked Improvement they showed leav-
ing there awakened the sympathy calTned the fears
and aroused the enthusiasm of the people OF the
little village They began to realize that the
benefit had not all been one side. The children
bencvoleuce
Some of those who had entertained the first Wis
itors announced their readiness to welcome others
Some Of their neghbors encouraged by their eS-
ample were willing TO make a trial. with the result
that by the end of the summer sixty poor city chill
dren had enjoyed a weeks holiday.
Believing that what he had accomplished in Sher-
could be repeated in other places If he had the
opportunity OF bringing the subject TO the attention
Of their inhabitants and the work thus indefinitely
extended. Mr. Parsons sought aid IN promoting his
plan. It not difficult 10 find The seed had
fallen on good ground Many philanthropc people
in New York had seen and appreciated his efforts.
and The Evening Post" ot this city. induced
10 lend its in raising the necessary money.
This 1t did successfully four years Mr.. Parsons
resiguing his pastorate TO give his entire attention
to the administration Of the Fresh Air Fund.
In the spring Of 1852. when the friends OF the
fund were discussing plans for continuing the en-
terprise they received offer from The Tribune
20 take il up and carry II This offer was
accepted and since that time. under the name of
the Tribune Fresh Air Fund. It has developed be-
yond the fondest vopes o. its founder at the be
ginning
The life of Mr. Parsons from 1877 until 1907 when
failing health compelled him to retire. had been
bound in the closest manner with the history OF
the fund ONLY one year. when serious internal
goperation required long vacation for recupera-
ton which he spent in Algeria did he intermit
his labors During the summer or 1906 his last
of activity. he was CoHIiiitu d4L4pSI CoH-
tinuousy to his bed from which he heroicaIIy cor
Quoted his exhaustng and multfarious duties
through willing agents
During his thirty years administration OF the
fund 2E 7os children were sent 10 homes in me
country for fortnight. and 42901 mothers and
children received an all-day excursion up the
Hudson River. total expenditure. in round
numbers OF $725GJ0.
At the tine of his death Mr. Parsons had been
a vvdower for several years. and left no children
He was one OF a family OF four brothers. two of
whom died in recent years. One of these Henry.
had been a constant associate and support OF his
in the fresh air work and his death proved a
severe shock TO Mr.. Parsons. The remaining
brother lives in Franklin.
Mr. Parsons was a constant attendant OF the
Madison Square Presbyterian Church. and was
member of the Lotos. Congregational. Quill and
Twilight clubs. OF this city