The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-05


were considered at the sessions OF
the National Conference of St. Vincent
de Paul yesterday. the papers present
ed proving the texts for discussion
which demonstrated the ability of the
membership of the convention as we'll
as showed the progress of thought
brought about by great gatherings
In which men from all sections of the
country compare notes as to methods
and results. Dependent families" was
the topic of the morning session. an
exceedingly interesting and valuable
discussion of the relief of dependent
children, with an explanation of the
placing-out system. took up the after
noon and the care of the dependent
sick poor was considered at the night
meeting.
Following the evening session there
was an informal reception in the rooms
of the McGill Catholic Union. and dur
ing the afternoon the ladies', accom-
panying members of the conference,
were taken on automobile rides to va
rious points of interest about the city.
The sessions will continue to-day in
ST Mary's Hall, on Marshall Street.
with the conference mass and COM
niunion this morning at 5 o'clock in
st. Peters Church.
Annual Sermon.
The annual conference sermon was
delivered in st. Peters Church yester-
day morning by the Rev. DR.. D. ]. Nc
Mahon, of New York City, spiritual
director Of the Superior Council of New
York His text was THE poor We will
have with you always" the theme of
the address being the zeal which the
members of the conference should bring
10 their work for pure and applied
charity. ST. Peters Church was hand
somely decorated for the occasion, and
a large number of visiting priests took
part in the mass which preceded the
sermon
Conference Begins.
The first general session of the Con-
Father. t.Reilty, of the cathedral
parish. President Mulry occupying the
chair. The topic of the morning.
Dependent Families" was discussed in
three able papers, after which tie dis
cuEsion was thrown open and msny
valuable ideas We're exchanged. Mr..
George r. Regain, of Boston Mass,
read a paper of "Visiting Poor Fami-
lies in Their Homes which the speak-
or declared to be a most essential tea-
turo to the work of the st. Was
cant societies. In opening his re-
marks, Mr.. Regain said: I'VE must
set Alright the minds of those who,
unfamiliar with the workings of cur
society. believe us to be simply corps
of Charity expressmen' dropping at
the doors of the poor bundles of food,
clothing or fuel. week after week, and
then, with a departing sigh of relief,
consider our duties ended.
Our society stands for the inteli-
gent distribution in the homes Of the
poor of such material relief as our Wis
itors find to be required, We do not
represent that type of relief which is
"A promoter of poverty rather than a
relievcr of poverty
Adequate Relief.
Mr.. Albert Hoen, of Baltimore, Md.
followed with a thoughtful paper on
adequate Relief" giving many con-
crete illustrations from the experience
of the Baltimore charitable associa :
tions. Adequate relief was described
as that measure of relief which would
cause dependent families under favor
able circumstances to become ndepen-
dent. The writer made a clear dis
tinction between the poor who would
remain poor whatever is done for
them. and those who may be truly re-
l!eved. The poor who through ad
NNl6Ih VI tlIlbhSll NpHtiillO0S beyond
their control not through their own
choice, are the legitimate field of the
trne charity worker" continued the
speaker. who argued that the relief OF
the poor Was not the mere doing out
of aims. Relieving the effect and
leaving the cause is not an adequate
relief and will leave that family in
need of relief indefinitely"
Religion in the Home.
Mr., William II, Hardy, OF Boston
ID presented paper on the "Spiritua
d. Character of the Home" in which i
x was shown that material aid is Otter
j, asked In cases where spiritual assist
4 ancc is most needed. Religion was pic,
"a tured In glowing terms as tho grea
Y healer OF souls, that which console,
" and strengthens in poverty, Illness an,
Il misfortune, so much of which has it
origin in sin, Home religion was eX
4 allied as the force Which made for 10y,
and joy in the home, rather than quar-
rels. disgust and oven hatred, Til,
speaker strongly pictured the life q
the children in home without re;
glon. showing them easy prey 10 IN
snares and pitfalls of life oTru,
"A charity cannot exist In the heart with
and outward oYerf,owins Kindness /,
the children. II is this force whicl
makes for cleanliness In place Of dirt