Theos-Talk Archives (February 2007 Message tt00072)

Theosophists have been involved in many good social service project around
the world, propelled with the first object. Would like to see more of it.

Anytime theosophists get involved in projects helping our fellow beings, it
also indirectly draws attention of the public to theosophy and can do a lot
of good in the long run.

mkr

On 2/8/07, Mark Jaqua <proto37@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>   Point Loma Women's Shelter
>
> The self-devised and implemented Children's and
> Woman's Shelter in Buffalo, N.Y., USA (1899) is an
> example of some of the practical work Katherine
> Tingley's Point Loma group used to do. Its from
> "Universal Brotherhood" magazine, July, 1899.
>
> REPORT OF LOTUS HOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD
> LEAGUE (UNSECTARIAN), TO APRIL 1, 1899
>
> To tell what lies nearest and dearest to one's
> heart, by way of a report, is not easy nor simple; and
> to go into details of the work at Lotus Home, which
> seems to have become a part of my very being, will be
> a pleasure, though a mixed one, for the reason stated.
>
> The Home was organized by our Leader, under the
> International Brotherhood League. Officers and
> Counsellors were elected on the 13th August, 1898, and
> the following day it was dedicated to the work amongst
> homeless and destitute children.
>
> The work is the outgrowth of the Wayfare (report
> of which has been given). The Managers of that Home
> had, for some time, felt that something should be done
> which would go to the root of things more than was
> possible at the Wayfare, which was only alleviation in
> most cases, for the incompetent were incompetent
> still, the shitless were shiftless still, the heedless
> and improvident would be so still, after a longer or
> shorter stay there.
>
> We found that the reason that so many women (often
> these were young and attractive) were continually out
> of employment and, as a natural consequence, out of
> money, and therefore obliged to avail themselves of
> the shelter at the Wayfare, was because they had never
> been trained to do any useful work, or to think of
> others and of themselves as a part of the great mass
> of Human beings indissolubly bound together in the one
> Great Life, and mutually dependent one upon the other.
>
> At this time Mrs. R.V. Pierce, who has been
> prisident of the Board of Managers of the Wayfare
> since its inception, and the writer of this report,
> began writing to our Leader and asker her what she
> would suggest to have us do to make our work more
> helpful to suffering Humanity and of more permanent
> usefulness. We felt incompetent to cope with this
> great question, and having absolute faith and trust in
> our Leader, we were ready and willing to follow where
> she would lead in the larger field of of opportunity.
>
> It was owing to her wisdom and foresight that the
> plan of carrying out the second object of the
> International Brotherhood League was laid before the
> persons interested in the work in Buffalo.
>
> In the meantime we began to look uyp a suitable
> house for the purposes of the larger work, visited
> many real estate offices, and scoured the surrounding
> country far and near for a shady and homelike place.
> For it was midsummer and very hot, the first thought
> was that it must be a well-shaded house. At last the
> house we now occuply was secured - not because of its
> shade trees, but because it is a handsome and roomy
> new house, and the rent far less than we anticipated
> it would be.
>
> Lotus Home is situated in a very choice locality,
> and one well adapted to the work, being a quite spot,
> surround by wide fields and farm lands, yet with two
> trolley lines of street cars going by the doors. It
> is on Delaware Abenue, one of the finest and best
> known avenues in the city of Buffalo, and on the
> direct road to Niagara Falls, numerous wheelmen pass
> in a constant stream daily, particularly Sundays and
> in the afternoons and evenings of week days.
>
> The house is a three-storied brownstone mansion,
> with drawing and reception rooms, wide reception hall,
> cozy office, large dining room with conservatory,
> kitchen and pantries on the first floor.
>
> On the second floor are six fine, large chambers
> and bathroom. These are the K.A.T. Room, the House
> Mother's or Superintendent's Room, the W.Q.J. Nursery,
> the Blue Day Nursery, Rest Room and Nurses' Room - all
> opening into a wide, light hall.
>
> On the third floor are four more beautiful and
> airy chambers and a large attic. The cellar must not
> be omitted, for it is a very important part of the
> house, extending under the whole structure, and is as
> light and bright as the rest of the house, and large
> enough for laundry, fruit room, and more than room
> enough to contain the winter's coal, as well as giving
> plenty of room for all kinds of useful work needed to
> be done in and for the Home.
>
> We think ourselves very fortunate in having a
> house that combines in itself all the sanitary,
> artistic and commodious arrangements in the interior,
> as well as being beautiful and giving an impression of
> strength and durability exteriorly.
>
> The grounds, as yet are innocent of all attempts at
> ornamentation, and only a fine lawn and young shade
> trees surround the house. Immediately next to it is
> another house, the exact counterpart of Lutus Home;
> the houses having been built by two brothers. Thses,
> with the stable in the rear for the use of both
> houses, occupy an entire square......
>
> In the Nurseries, each child has its own crib - a
> white iron one, with hair mattress; five of these
> have been donated by members of the Universal
> Brotherhood......
>
> The first Baby made its appearance at Lotus Home in
> September - a plump, good natured little Girl, whose
> good fortune it was to be forn on the 13th day of
> July, and also to be the first Lotus Bud at the Home;
> perhaps that is why she has always been so sunny, for
> a happier and sunnier baby never lived, than our
> Grace.
>
> Next came little Paul, frail and delicate, but
> determined to live, as though he feared that if he
> lost this body, he might not get back to Lotus home
> next time; now he is sturdy and strong and seems to
> appreciate the loving care and patience which kept him
> in his little body, for he laughs and crows at the
> slightest provocation.
>
> Wee, wee Edith came next, and to see her is to
> love her, for her eyes fairly beam with good will and
> happiness at the mere thought that she is at home THIS
> TIME.
>
> Then came our katherine, dignified and stately for
> so tiny a blossom, and all said, "that must be
> Katherine, see how she holds her head, just like some
> one else we know," and so Katherine she is.....
>
> Then came little Merry Christmass, Frances, and
> three-year-old Elizabeth, who is a real little helper,
> for one has only to say "Will you?" and she starts to
> go and do it.
>
> Last, but not least, came our George, and many a
> fancy has been woven as to what he will be, for he
> looks like a soldier, and will strike for Brotherhood,
> there can be no doubt.
>
> Many more could have been ours, had our means
> permitted of it, but our funds have rather limited us
> in carrying out what we might have done with more
> money at out disposal.
>
> The possibilities of the work are so great and
> far-reaching that every effort is being made to build
> the foundations strong and true, and as far as
> possible to work along the lines laid down by our
> leader.
>
> There is an indescribably joy in working at Lotus
> Home - it seems to be a place set apart and in a world
> of its own, and there is a something in the atmosphere
> that says "this is a real work," and all the cares and
> anxiety sink into insignificance at the though of the
> privilege of helping in the great plan.......
>
> - Theresa Younge Stevens, Sec'y
>
> ("Un. Brotherhood" mag., July, 1899)
>
> --------------
>
>
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