Norwich bulletin., 1916-05-01


 With an attendance estimated at 800 the opening session of the sixth an- nuaI conference of the Connecticut state conference of charities and cor rection was held in the Davis theatre on Sunday evening. The object of the conference is to promote a wider in terest and develop sounder methods in work by giving opportunity for per- sons interested in such effort to com- pare methods and results.
 Following an excellently rendered selection by the Harmony orchestra, Leonard o. Smith, president of the Connecticut state conference of charit- ties and correction and chairman of the evening, called the assemblage to or der and the invocation was given by Rev. John H. Frederick. rector of St. Patrick's church.
 The address of welcome was deIiv- cred by His Honor Mayor Timothy c. Murphy. Mayor Murphy said 1t gave him great pleasure and was indeed an honor to welcome the delegates to the conference. He said he did not know welcome than the Connecticut state conference of charities and correction. Opening Address by President Smith.
 The opening address was delivered by President Smith. In part President Smiths address follows:
 Ladies and Gentlemen:
 The next thing on our programme calls for a brief address by the presi- dent.
 promise you it shall be brief for we have with us tonight those whom you will be delighted to hear and those well qualified to speak upon the topics in which we are interested.
 As president of this conference, how ever, 1t is my duty and a great pleas ure to extend to all delegates and vis- ttors a cordial welcome. Our honored mayor has biyen to them 8 welcome to the city. extend to all a welcome to every session of our conference, which holds over Monday and Tuesday, as fully explained in the programme.
 Through the courtesy of the Elks (which is much appreeiated) we are permitted to hold every session in their Beautiful new hall next to the post office.
 The object of this conference is briefly expressed in it's name, "a con- ference of charities and correction" Tn other words. 1t is a conferring together of those best qualified to say how pub lie and private charities should be dis tributed. And the word Correction" refers to the correction of lawbreak- CTS. As to how their punishment and reform can best be effected.
 Charity has it's origin in the human heart. It is that God-given feeling of brotherhood that comes from sym pathy with our fellow men.
 It's first expression leads to spas nlodic help and to contributions that finally prove incomplete.
 Scientific and more efficient meth ods compel society to give more per- n1anent assistance to those who suf- fer; and, better still. to study for the fnT1 nq Fda I1o kind as well as for their relief.
 This outline of what the conference is trying to do Is all need to say,
 Now will introduce to you one who has given years of study and thought to this subtect-one whose efforts to far and wide-one whose words have been an inspiration to other men.
 You will now have the pleasure of listening to Prof. Graham Taylor, professor of the Chicago school of c.v- ics and philanthropy. His toptS will zens and Officials.
 Four Tendencies of the Times.
 There are four tendencies of our times that lay new and increased in- terest on the publtc's claim on citizens and officials, said Mir, Taylor. From time tnrnenorfal education has been the function of the church, he contin-
 
 country especially the state, county, city, the district, have become the tea chers of children.
 Charity had its birth from the church and has very largely been supported by the agencies of the church. How has become the great almsgtver. The church and its voluntary agencies used to be the caretakers of the widow and orphan. State after state, and county after county. have adopted the widows pension to keep the family together, to keep the child with the mother.
 The greatest modern buildings in the world are the temples of justice. coErthouses where the law of the land is administered. The church used to be the only healer. Its monasteries were the shelter for the sick and in- firm. The greatest hospitals in our country are the great public hospitals. Surely these are significant tendencies. Let me pause here to answer ques- tions that may have arisen. During the reciaG1 of these changes does this indicate any failure of religiou2 Not at all.
 The church Is built better than she knew. Her services have outgfoWn her resources. Out into the open her great charities have gone. Those ca- thedrals that were half fortresses, yet centers Of educattoni have given rise to the extension of those centers of piety and religious charity. Never let us forget, when we are thinking of the evolution of popular government, that without exception every one of these lines stretches back beneath the altars of the church. We should take cour- age and thank God that the work con- tinued to us has been adopted and given this countrywide, this human ity-wide extension.
 We are coming to realize that the church itself cannot succeed if the body polite fails. We realize that if the church fails the community can- not succeed. They rise and fall to@ gether, If the town makes it harder to be bad and easier to be good every iniEteras sermon. every Sunday school, is strengthened. defy a minister to ramSe Rocd in q town where tho body