The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-04-24

BY MkSs y. bOfD.
About forty years ago. while ct
tending a large meeting In England
for organizing rescue work, Mrs VI.
E. Townsend conceived the flea of
forming a society. which should
have as its aim the uplift and pro-
lection of young wornsnhood.
Having the sympathy of the Arch
bishop of Canterbury. Mrs. Town
send and four friends met by invi-
tation at Lambeth palace, In 1875 to
plan the organization.
The name. "0irls' Friendly So
ciety," was chosen. the prayer.
central rules and objects adopted.
and thus from this small beginning
grew the society which is now the
largest organization of women and
young girls in the world, ard has
An enrolment of $4,000.
The work OF the society met with
such astonishing success, that Il
spread rapidly all over England, and
two years later, was. started In
America Young girls coming to this
country were commended to clergy
and churchwomen. the logical out
come Of which wes the establish
mont of a branch In Massachusetts
in ISL. and one year later a second
branch In Maryland.
American Society Organized
In 1886 central council was form
ed and a constitution adopted, fol-
lowing closely that of the English
society. An agreement was entered
into and a treaty signed between
the two. allowing US to use the
monogram, and to take the name of
The Girls Friendly Society in
America" providing the American
society kept the three central
rules" and received the commend
ed members from England.
The laws Of the society ara
made by the central council. which
meets once a year. and consists of a
president, and other officers. and
representatives from every diocese.
This council Is in session for q week
and ali matters Of Importance are
discussed and decided. The organi-
zation follows. e. far as possible.
that Of the church, and Is established
in each diocese with the sanction
Of the bishop.
AZ each State has its legislature.
50 each diocese has its council. with
representatives from the yardoua
branches meeting at stated times
Turing the year, for the election Of
officers. the organizing Of new
branches, and the general work Of
the diocese. 1t 10 the wish of the
40CletY IN have hra in,
parish, the secretary being appointed
by the rector. She should be a
woman OF wide sympathy, tact and
magnetism, one who can be leader,
and hold the interest of the girls,
who will be a friend and counselor
to them, In the temptations and df-,
ficulties Of life.
: The braaeh @secretAey- - assisted
by associates, who must also be
communicates Of the Episcopal
Church. 1t Is the aim Of the society
to have an associate for every ten
girls. who pledges herself to be
faithful in season and out of season,
who will hunt up absent girls, help
them with advice. visit them In
sickness and show them her SYM
pathy and interest.
The objects Of the society are to
bind together young women and
girls for mutual help, sympathy
ana prayer. 10 cnCOurdSS purity VI
life, dutifulness to parents. faith
fulness in work and thrift. To
commend its members wherever they
may go, to another branch.
Friends for Girl Strangers.
The lonely girl coming from a dis
tant land Is commended to branch
In the city to which she Is going.
An associate meets her at the sta
ton, sees that she find, a respect
able lodging house. introduces her
at a branch meeting. where she Ia
made to feel at home.
Purity is the main object of the
society; no girl can be admitted who
has violated this law. The girls
are taught that their thoughts and
lives must be pure. that they must
show by their conduct that the prin-
ciples Of the society are faithfully
lived I'D to at home and abroad, So
that by this influence others may de-
sire to join with them in the bonds
of friendship. The members OF the
society are drawn from every con-
dition Of life and every Christian
creed.
Is an orga nisation only for those
who are self-supporting, but girls
who live sheltered lives have many
foundations in this day of fast living
and luxury. The principles of the
Girls Friendly Society have helped
and strengthened many q young