Friendly Visiting among the Poor A Handbook for Charity Workers

Excerpt

This little volume is intended as a handbook for those who are
beginning to do charitable work in the homes of the poor, whether as
individuals or as representatives of some church, or of some religious
society, such as the King’s Daughters, the Epworth League, or the
Christian Endeavor Society.  The term “friendly visitor” does not
apply to one who aimlessly visits the poor for a little while, without
making any effort to improve their condition permanently or to be a
real friend to them.  Friendly visiting, as distinguished from district
visiting, originated with the charity organization societies, some of
which are indefatigable in training volunteers to do effective work in
the homes of the poor.  Though I should be glad to find that my book
was of some service to these societies, it was not prepared for their
use alone, and no {vi} mention is made, therefore, of the organization
of visitors into district conferences.  For inexperienced workers, who
need leadership in their charity, there can be no better training than
the meetings of a well-organized conference under a capable chairman,
and even the most experienced, by keeping in close touch with such a
conference, can do more effective work.