of begging, and of idle, dependent
habits, and to place them where their associates are self-respecting and
industrious. No institution of this Society can be considered as a
shelter for the dependent and idle. All its objects of charity work, or
are trained to work. The consequence is that this effort brings after it
none of the bad fruits of mere alms-giving. The poor do not become
poorer or less self-reliant under it; on the contrary, they are
continually rising out of their condition and making their own way in
the world. The laborer in this field does not feel, as in so many other
philanthropic causes, doubtful, after many years of labor, whether he
has not done as much injury as good. He sees constantly the wonderful
effect of these efforts, and he knows that, at the worst, they can only
fail of the best fruit, but certainly cannot have a bad result.

From the commencement our aim has been to put these charitable
enterprises in harmony with natural and economic laws, assured that any
other plan of philanthropy must eventually fail. In this view we have
taken advantage of the immense demand for labor through our rural
districts, which alone gives a new aspect to all economical problems in
this country. Through this demand we have been enabled to accomplish our
best results, with remarkable economy. We have been saved the vast
expense of Asylums, and have put our destitute children in the child's
natural place--with a family. Our Lodging-houses also have avoided the
danger attending such places of shelter, of becoming homes for vagrant
boys and girls. They have continually passed their little subjects along
to the country, or to places of work, often forcing them to leave the
house. In requiring the small payments for lodging and meals, they put
the beneficiaries in an independent position, and check the habits and
spirit of pauperism. The Evening School, the Savings-bank, and the
Religious Meeting are continually acting on these children to raise them
from the vagrant class. The Industrial Schools, in like manner, are
seminaries of industry and teachers of order and self-help.

All the agencies of the Society act in harmony with natural laws, and
touch the deepest springs of life and character. The forces underlying
them are the strongest forces of society--Religion, Education,
Self-respect, and love of Industry; these are constantly working upon
the thousands of poor children under our charge. Thus founded on simp