We robbed the children of them, or
stood by and saw it done, and it is for us to restore them. That
is my answer to the missionary who writes to ask what is the "most
practical way of making good Christians and American citizens" out
of the emigrants who sit heavy on her conscience, as well they may.
Christianity without the robin and the dandelion is never going to
reach down into the slum; American citizenship without them would
leave the slum there, to dig the grave of it and of the republic.
Light ahead! The very battle that is now waged for righteousness
on the once forgotten East Side is our answer to the cry of the
young who, having seen the light, were willing no longer to live in
darkness. I know, for I was one of the committee which Dr. Felix
Adler called together in response to their appeal a year ago.
The Committee of Fifteen succeeded to its work. "What does it all
help?" the doubting Thomases have asked a half-score years, watching
the settlements build their bridge of hearts between mansion and
tenement, and hundreds give devoted lives of toil and sacrifice to
make it strong and lasting; and ever the answer came back, sturdily:
"Wait and see! It will come.
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