Plainfield High School - Milestone Yearbook (Plainfield, NJ)

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12 THE ORACLE it has probed causes; has provided legislative measures; has touched all kinds of need, and has a far-reaching, inestimable influence upon modern society. It will be possible to touch upon only a few of these phases as they are exemplified in our own country. In the United States alone, it has been estimated that over 3,000,000 people are dependent upon charity. The immense sum of $200,000,000 expended annually for the support of these persons, may convey an idea of the magnitude of this work. A portion of this fund is distributed through official sources for the maintenance of almshouses and suitable homes for the blind, the insane, the feeble minded, and the morally imperilled. A large amount, however, the importance of which can never be fully known, is contributed by individuals and private organizations. Through all ages the Church, in the spirit of its Founder, has been the real source of charity distribution. It forms a dramatic contrast to note the differences between the methods of the early and medizval church and the church of today. The scientific spirit of the age is nowhere shown to better advantage than in the development of the so-called “institutional church.” It is the chief aim of such an organization to meet all the needs of its members an d to develop all sides of their natures. A most striking illustration of this modern method of church work is furnished by St. George’s Episcopal Church of New York City. This organization is veri- tably a huge plant, for, exclusive of the church edifice, there exist several large buildings where the various activities are carried on. Under the superintendence of the rector and his large corps of assistants, are main- tained many secular activities which formerly were considered foreign to church work. Instruction is given in sewing, tailoring, millinery, and other trades. A military battalion, gymnasium classes, debating societies, and numerous social clubs furnish recreation. From a membership of ‘8,000, there are in this church 5,000 tenement dwellers, and the workers strive always to unite both rich and poor, and to satisfy the intense craving of the poor for so¢ial opportunities. Side by side with the Church, often ministering to other classes and different needs, works the Salvation Army. Frequently the popular idea of this organization does not extend beyond that of a band of noise-makers congregated on the street curb. This apparently senseless demonstration 1s but a very small portion of their work. The aid furnished through their ministrations consisting of food, clothing and shelter, is enormous and far- reaching. What a power for good are those blue-bonneted “lassies,” pass- ing in and out through the congested districts of the great cities! How in-

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THE ORAGLE II “They are the leaders of riots, of court-martials and inquisitions, which have been shedding blood for the last century. They are those who preach that if a man slaps you on one cheek, you should turn to him the other. However, it is strange that they always wish to be the ones who strike and desire others to turn their cheeks to them.” The expression on Isaiah’s face changed. His countenance flamed, his eyes shot fire, and with scorn he cried, “Liars and hypocrites rule the people. Their tongues are smooth, but their hearts are black.” When the peace conference went to rest and refresh themselves after the noble work which they prided themselves on having done for mankind, the voice of the great Isaiah could be heard far in the sky, saying, “Oh, wicked people, people overburdened by sin, when will you learn the gospel of peace!” But the delegation kept on drinking champagne and paying compli- ments to one another, and heard not a word, VALEDICTORY ORATION PH SPIRIE OF MODERN CHARITY. BY FREDERICK MARTIN SMITH. The advent of Christianity marks the beginning of real charity in its modern sense. Before the Christian era, poverty was alleviated somewhat for economic reasons, but the followers of Christ infused a spirit of love into all attempts to relieve suffering. In the dark days of the early Roman empire, the Church and her emissaries furnished the only means of relief. Help was given generously, even lavishly, and without discrimination. “Give to every one that asketh of thee,’ expresses the characteristic spirit of the age. Until the ninth century, when hospitals were founded, no special institutions of charity existed, and the sick were cared for in their own homes. In the middle ages, the monks, and later, the orders of religious knights ministered to the needs of the poor, and with the growth of the idea that charity had an atoning efficacy, funds were liberally supplied. Such was the beginning in the Christian Church of the spirit of help- fulness which has now assumed such a variety of forms in its course of development. The 19th century has seen remarkable changes in the growth of all kinds of charitable work. The spirit of modern charity is scientific:

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THE ORACLE 13 spiring and encouraging it would be to follow one of them through her day’s labors as she goes into the tenement homes and teaches the people how to live! The same line of work is carried on by the Volunteers of America, an outgrowth of the old organization. Under the leadership of Ballington and Mrs. Booth, prison reform has become one of its principal aims. “The little mother,” for by that name Mrs. Booth is known among the convicts, is loved and admired by every poor fellow whom she has visited, and through the influence of her gentle nature, many have once again started life aright. In these days of revolutionized ideas, more attention is paid to the medical relief of the poor. The sick were formerly huddled together in filthy buildings. Now, each disease is treated in a separate institution or in separate wards of hospitals. In years past, poor-houses or shelter homes were never visited by physicians, but now, each institution has its own medical examiner. In medical relief, one of the most powerful organiza- tions is the Red Cross Society. Not only do its members perform noble work on the battle field, but they give assistance at all national disasters. A most prominent phase of medical relief is the warfare against tuber- culosis. Medical societies are accomplishing much toward preventing the spread of the disease by popularizing the causes and remedies of the ‘‘white plague.” Formerly, all classes of defectives were thrust into alms-houses, irre- spective of their several maladies. From this resulted great confusion and little benefit. Now, each class of defectives is placed in a separate institu- tion, and more rapid progress is made toward their cure. There now exist separate institutions for the blind, the deaf, the mute, the insane, the feeble minded, the epileptics and inebriates, each with its respective treatments. One of the most interesting and at the same time most worthy branches of charity work is the treatment of children. How changed it is from the old Spartan method! Then, defective and ill formed children were exposed on barren rocks, a prey to the storms and wintry blasts. As in the course of human progress men saw the cruelty of this practice, they took steps, crude and rough enough at first, to save the children. Even but a century ago, little diseased, misshapen tots were crowded into alms- houses and allowed to fare as best they could. Modern ideas have changed these conditions still more. Homes and institutions have now been established at points of greatest need, and these are always filled to their limit. At Sea Breeze, near New York City, there exists a home for children afflicted with tuberculosis. During the summer