or that there are no cases of distress. Some do not give any sign, others do not reach our notice. But if the idea is faithfully and lovingly carried out every case of need would be cared for.

If no new cases are up for consideration, the list of applicants for public relief or recipients of medical charity are investigated in the same way. It is evident from the abuse of these offices by the unworthy that much could be done to cut off a number of undeserving. In this line of work the societies of Philadelphia and Buffalo show large results. Thus the Pauline rules are applied to charity love abounding more and more; knowledge of the thing to be done and the principles; practical common sense.

As such a committee proceeds with its work it is possessed with enthusiasm. It is always dangerous to concern one's self with a fellow creature. The nebulous mass of "the poor" resolves itself into individual units, each capable of pain and of pleasure. The hoarse murmur of the world becomes the cry of the human,, and one says:

"Because the woeful cry

Of life and all flesh living cometh up
Into my ears, and all my soul is full
Of pity for the sickness of the world;
Which I will heal, if healing may be found
By uttermost renouncing and strong strife."

Such a society is soon recognized by those among whom it works as a friend. Its investigation is no cold curiosity or espionage. It weeds out the bad, making it impossible for them to pursue their calling. More than one rendered desperate has ultimately resorted to work. Others come for advice. Young girls have been rescued from houses of prostitution. Little children have been provided with homes. The fluttering life of babies have been preserved. It may not be all that could be wished; it is imperfect, but it is full of promise of a time when "the day breaks and the shadows flee away.”

The society seeks to interest and utilize a large number of visitors for personal work among the poor. Their work has already been described. Once each week the visitors meet. The cases passed upon by the district committee are taken up. Only here the worthy and unworthy are considered as proper subjects for friendly visiting. The visitors report as to their visits, plan out methods of helping, secure work and places. Each visitor is

entrusted with but two or three families, which she is to visit every week or two. Once a month she is to make a formal report of the condition and progress of her families. It is this which gives the poor the greatest gift-a friend. As Miss Octavia Hill says: "You want to know them, to enter into their lives, their thoughts, to let them enter into some of your brightness to make their lives a little fuller, a little gladder. You might meet them face to face as friends; you might teach them; you might sing for and with them; you might gladden their homes by bringing them flowers, or, better still, by teaching them to grow plants."

And this mercy is "twice blessed. It blesseth him that gives and him that takes." For the truth is taught that "pity and need make all flesh kin."

"Pity and need make all flesh kin.

There is no caste in blood which runneth of one hue,
Nor caste in tears which trickle salt for all."

IV. PROVIDENT SCHEMES AND SOCIAL REFORMS.

But it is evident that, if we are permanently to keep the poor, there must be a change in some of the social conditions which press heavily upon them. Through already existing agencies, or new ones which spring up as the need of them is seen, the means of emergence from the ill condition are offered. Fuel and foodsaving societies, burial societies, industrial schools, day nurseries, penny banks, provident dispensaries, maternity societies grow up.

And especially in the way of social reform can such a society exercise its greatest influence. It can insist on open spaces in the city for the recreation of the poor, as Miss Hill has done. It can insist on the provision of better tenements for the poor, both by calling public attention to their condition and by legal enactment. It can prevent cruelty to children; preserve the dependent and neglected children from evil surroundings; it can institute "country weeks," and insure the prompt payment of wages. There is no limit to its work or its power since in its idea it comprehends the association of all orders of talent, skill and influence.

V. MISCELLANEOUS POINTS.

1. Such a society is expansive enough to include every existing agency. It destroys the autonomy of none. It simply groups together already existing agencies for mutual information, consultation and aggregation of effort.

2. Such a society can be started with little mechanism in a

small town, by the coöperation of the churches and benevolent citizens.

3. Such a society can be started in a large city, by working one ward, or district, thoroughly, and thence, as in London, spreading through all districts.

4. Too much work must not be attempted at first, lest the society break of its own weight and lack of coherence. There is needed education among its workers, perception of the great thing to be done and of the best means of doing it. Better one district well worked than twenty scratched over. "He that believeth shall not make haste."

5. The literature on this subject is in part as follows: "Phases of Charity" and "Provident Schemes," by Rev. S. H. Gurteen, of Buffalo. "Our Common Land," by Miss Octavia Hill. MacMillan & Co., "Homes of the London Poor." (Miss Hill republished by New York State Charities Aid Society, "Essays by Miss Hill," reprinted by Boston Associated Charities ;) also the publications of the Boston and Philadelphia societies. "The London Charity Organization Reporter" is published weekly. The "Monthly Register" by the Philadelphia society, is instructive and interesting. Forms may be had on application to any of the societies.

Long since, Schiller wrote:

"Sometime philosophy no doubt

A better world will bring about;
Till then the old a little longer

Must blunder on through love and hunger."

What love and hunger will do unguided and unrestrained is seen in the condition of society as it is; and the Venetian epigram is the sad expression of its hope and belief: "Why so struggle the people and cry? To get food, to beget children and to feed them as best one can. Further than this attaineth no man."

With a larger faith and a brighter hope the London Charity Organization expresses the thought of all who are now working along this line: "By this organization, when fully carried out, it is hoped that no loophole will be left for imposture; no dark holes and corners of misery, disease and corruption remain unvisited; no social sore fester untouched by wise and gentle hands; no barrier of ignorance or selfish apathy stand unassailed between the rich and the poor; no differences of creed prevent unity of action in the common cause of humanity."

DEBATE ON ASSOCIATED CHARITIES.

Mr. DONAHOE, of Pittsburg, Pa., objected to the lack of spiritual instruction in the system recommended. He had had some experience in this kind of work, and regarded the system as still on trial in London, and elsewhere. There are many such organizations as those spoken of, which are organized under the name of charities, that exist for the purpose of drawing money from the people. No barrier should be placed upon the charities of Christ. Allow the person who goes to visit the privilege of exercising his judgment as to his spiritual duties, but it should not be permitted to anyone to advance his sectarian creed.

Gen. BRINKERHOFF: Is it strictly true that no spiritual instruction is allowed to be given? Does not the plan as proposed simply look to this, that these organizations shall be based upon business principles, and that they should avoid carrying any of their sectarian principles in the work?

Mr. DONAHOE I only speak of the subject in connection with these visits, in which spiritual instruction might be given.

Mrs. LEONARD, of Springfield, said, that a society for systematizing charity had been in operation for three years in Springfield, in which she had taken part-that she did not wish to speak with disrespect of the Church of Christ, to which she belonged, but that she believed that the indiscriminate charities of churches, working separately and without knowledge of each other's work, were a great element in pauperizing the community; that great inducements to hypocrisy were held out by relief given to Sunday school scholars, and to persons who join churches from mercenary motives. Except in thinly settled neighborhoods, the churches should abandon all poor relief, unless to disabled and infirm persons whose membership had proved their sincerity, as the churches have already abandoned other secular work. Charity should be administered systematically to be effectual. The poor should be helped to self-support by kind sympathy and instruction in thrift and industry, by patient, individual effort. Charity should be administered on Christian principles but apart from religious teach. ing, to which alone the churches should devote their efforts.

Mr. MCCULLOCH said he did not wish to occupy the time of the Conference farther; his views had been set forth in the paper read, and he stood by them.

SPECIAL SESSION ON LUNACY.

Thursday Afternoon, July 1.

The President, at the opening of this Session, said that it was held for the purpose of hearing what a committee from New York, represented by Dr. G. M. Beard, Dr. E. C. Seguin and Miss A. A. Chevaillier, have to present in respect to the important subject of lunacy. He then introduced Dr. Seguin, who read the following paper:

THE PRACTICABILITY AND VALUE OF NON-RESTRAINT IN TREATING THE INSANE.

BY DR. J. C. SHAW, MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE LUNATIC ASYLUM OF KING'S COUNTY, BROOKLYN, N. Y.

Thursday Afternoon, July 1.

Mr. Chairman, Gentlemen and Ladies: -- -I am not here to present to you an historical sketch of the subject of non-restraint in the management and care of the insane, but to direct your attention briefly to the practical part of the subject; and to demonstrate that it is practicable and beneficial, observations have been made in the King's County Insane Asylum, which is under my direction. Several papers have been presented to this Conference at its meetings during the past six years, some treating the subject pretty exhaustively. Among them are the papers by Dr. H. B. Wilbur, Dr. J. L. Bodine and Mr. F. H. Wines. There are also papers by Drs. Folsom and Bucknill on asylums in America, to all of which I refer you.

On taking charge of the asylum, not two years ago, I found a large number of patients in restraint-jackets, straps and seclusion. On inquiring why certain male patients were in restraint, I was told by the attendants and the assistant physician, who was then in charge of the wards, that they were bad, vicious patients, who would injure the nurses and other patients. Some of these patients had been in restraint for months, and even for years. On considering the situation of things, and the best way of reducing this very high ratio of restraint, I observed that the patients, whenever they were in the presence of the attendants, showed by the expression of their faces evident dislike to them; and, as the nurses stoutly insisted that these patients could not get