, 1912-01-24

and within a few days it will be furnished
and ready to enter upon a work unique in
this country.
Something similar has been done in the
slums of Plymouth, England, and in spirit
it recalls the devotion of Colonel Newcombe,
in the British metropolis. 1t is not lodging
nor mission. 1t is not a charity in the &C
copied sense.
Stepping Stone House is to be the means
which will enable mon of education and
good breeding to ford the stream of trouble.
For the submerged there is the workhouse,
and for those who stand hesitating on the
shore there are other agencies.
Stepping Stone House offers the rock of
self reliance. 1t is to be o refuge where
those who find themselves slipping into the
food of the lost may gain courage for the
struggle to the shore of safety.
1t is the intention if possible to raise q
fund of $780, 900 to maintain the work, but
In the meantime the enterprise is being
supported by the contributions of members
Of the National Association for the Proven
ton Of Mendicancy and Charitable impos-
ture, with which it is connected.
Stepping Stone House stands for radical
and re-constructive work Of regeneration. 1t
is not conducted rs n philanthropy in the
scientific sense, and it is likewise devoid Of
emotionalism
The policy as worked out by James
Forbes, secretary of the society, is different
from anything which has hitherto been tried
in the United States. It is a development
of the social settlement idea as applied to
human derelicts. Its aim is to aid men Sc
lected largely from those who are sent to the
house by Members of the association. Most
of these men will go from the clergymen
who are interested in the enterprise. Pro-
fessional heggars, men who might better be
in the almshouse OF the hospital, will hardly
be considered.
The basement Of Stepping Stone House is
to be devoted principally 70 an Office where
the man who is in misfortune may consult
with the director. There will be a dining
room, where those who are down and out
may dine as if in their own club.
At dinner with MIR. Forbes or with the
Rev. Dr.. Dusenberg, who is to reside in the
house, care will be banished and there Will
be talk Of ways and means to gain the shore
toward which the applicant has been foun-
dering.
What does a man most need when he ig
penniless and has been for Ii long time :
After something to eat and something warm
to drink, a new suit of clothes, a clean SHIRT,
a shave, a pair of shoes win help.
Fhe Association method in its constructive
work is to give him the money and tell him
to go and buy what he needs.
"Of course" said Mr.. Forbes, cit IS easy
enough for q man to whom we might issue
a IS bill to spend it for rum. t always tell
them that, and advise them if they really
want to get on their feet they would better
not do it. 1t is the first step toward self
help when a man is placed on his honor.
Once in a while they fail to. return, but not
often. 1t is better to begin with them In
that way. One must depend on has know
ledge of human nature as to whether OF not
it is worth while to take the risk, and it gen
orally is"
After the talk with the director tho
candidate for passage to the shore Of indie
pendence is to be introduced to the club
rooms on the first floor. Here nre three
parlors. There will be a piano, a billiard
table aud games Of various kinds.
One of the apartments is to be used as 81
library and reading room, and already books
and periodicals are promised for it. This
floor has been papered and decorated, and
when the furnishings are moved in it will be
1omeIke and inviting. SO much for the
cheering-up atelier. Here men who have
succeeded in life will so and have personal