This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XI SOCIAL RECOVERY It has well been said by Dr. Edward Everett Hale that, so far as he knows, the part of the South End between Dover Street and Pleasant Street is the most " charitied " region in Christendom. The statement might be applied, with but little less force, to the whole of the district under review. Moreover, this result has come about in the space of two decades; though of course there are a few local charitable foundations that go back toward the beginning of the century. The recent i and rapid nature of the change in the population of the district is what has called out such unparalleled activity. Thus far it has been necessary that all the newer social agencies should struggle for individual existence. The only federation that exists in such way as to cover the ground systematically is that of organizations dealing with the problem of material relief. The number and range of the agencies under consideration might suggest a great deal of confusion and lost force. This evil outcome is avoided to a large extent by the clear distinction of purpose which is usually made. The policy of intensive effort within fixed neighborhood limits is also quite general. When there is similarity of aim or when boundary lines overlap, competition is usually allayed by the prevalent friendly feeling. This is worth recording; for Emerson has told us that no one can hate a philanthropist as a philanthropist can. Much satisfaction might be found in an exhibit of the particular methods by which ingenious sympathy has touched so many of the people of the district and brought them under its helpful ministry; but the technique of social effort is a matter of inferior interest. The supreme question is as to the actual public worth of all the...