SECOND ANNUAL REPORT.

The Committee of the District Visiting Society, in presenting the Second Annual Report of their proceedings, feel that they have every ground for renewing the congratulations which they were last year able to offer to the Society, on the advantages which have accrued to the parish through its instrumentality, and also, on the prospects of continually increasing benefits, as its plans become more fully matured, and its operations more clearly developed and in consequence more completely effective.

Since the last Annual Meeting changes have taken place in the ECCLESIASTICAL ARRANGEMENTS of the parish, which, having the effect of removing the Northern Districts from the superintendence of the Clergy of St. Mary Abbot’s, render necessary an alteration in the Seventh General Rule of the Society. The Committee accordingly recommend that the Rule be now modified, so as to confine the future operations of the Society to that portion of Kensington which is under the ecclesiastical charge of the Vicar. It is right to mention that arrangements made by the Clergy of St. John’s and St. James’s are expected to provide for the requisite attention being paid to the wants of the poor within their respective localities.

Having now had two years’ EXPERIENCE of the DIFFICULTIES which must beset every endeavour to produce a substantial and permanent improvement in the condition of so extensive a mass of population, whose individual elements are so unsettled and fugitive;—the Committee have had a fair opportunity of judging of the practical working of the Rules that were originally adopted, and of the plan and operations which has from the first outset been acted upon. The result, they are prepared to say, amply justifies the discretion by which those Rules and that plan were dictated. It is a sufficient confirmation of the opinion they hold, that throughout the whole of the Metropolitan portion of the Diocese the same general system of District Visiting, the same active co-operation of Laity with Clergy in the work of charity, and the same general course of action, have been acknowledged as the only effectual means of coping successfully with the pressing evils arising from an overflowing population, from ignorance, improvidence, and vice; and that, under the sanction and direction of the Bishop, they have been almost universally brought into action. [10]

There is one point bearing strongly upon the difficulties the Committee have had to encounter, to which they are desirous of directing especial attention; namely, how much the endeavours of the Society to ameliorate the condition of the poor would be facilitated, if greater care were taken by the donors of charity to make full inquiry into the CHARACTER and CIRCUMSTANCES of APPLICANTS, before administering relief.

It is found that applicants at the doors of residents belong in general to one of three classes:—

The first class consists of PERMANENT MENDICANTS; who have a more or less constant residence in this or other parishes, and are supported exclusively by the donations of charitably disposed, but undiscriminating, individuals. Instances can be pointed out, of persons who it is believed have lived in Kensington for years, professing for the most part to have some nominal occupation, yet in fact subsisting entirely upon means obtained by such systematic mendicancy. As they readily state their trade and abode when interrogated, their tale—which is but too commonly a tissue of mere invention, or at best only partially correct—is at once assumed to be true. In the event of further inquiry being instituted at their abode, the same story of course is told; and probably supported by the interested evidence of the other dwellers in the same house, who generally derive their subsistence by similar means. Relief is given; the idle and the impostor encouraged; and by so much the industrious and respectable labourer discouraged and injured, the suffering and the unfortunate deprived of their due.

The second class is that of VAGRANTS, or TRAMPERS. These have no settled home, [11a] but sleeping at the nightly lodging houses, at some of the various Refuges in London or elsewhere, or in the vagrant-ward at the workhouses, wander about from parish to parish and from town to town continually; frequenting the various watering-places in their respective seasons, and succeeding ordinarily in reaping a rich harvest from the ready liberality of visitants. The tale that is now most commonly and most effectually pleaded by them is that of distress from want of work. But though unquestionably there are cases of this description, it is yet certain that whatever their assertions, a small proportion only of such applicants are willing to work, even if the opportunity be offered them. [11b]

To those wanderers, whose cases are really those of sickness or urgent destitution, the humane consideration of the Board of Guardians of this parish has provided that every care and attention shall be paid immediately upon proper application being made to the Master of the work-house.

The third class, which may be designated as that of OCCASIONAL MENDICANTS, is composed of persons included in the permanent population of the parish; who, having always been accustomed to rely for their chief or sole support during the winter upon the bounty they can obtain by begging at the houses of benevolent individuals, are not, while still encouraged to do so, to be diverted by any exertions of the Society from a course which experience has proved to be so profitable. They feel, for the most part, a very natural aversion from any system of discriminating charity. They have, they appear to think, a kind of prescriptive right to an equal portion with their neighbours of all relief administered, irrespectively of their own moral or social character, and of their circumstances and wants as compared with those of others. They are urgent in their importunity to the Visitor, and instead of being thankful for what assistance he has it in his power to afford them with justice to more deserving and pressing cases, become loud in their murmurings and expressions of anger; and in some instances have gone so far, after insulting conduct to the Visitor, as to carry their complaints to various residents, who, unaware of the true facts, have perhaps been led by their statement to form very erroneous and unjust opinions of the working of the Society. [12] The Committee, with accounts of the whole expenditure of the Visitors, and the particular circumstances of the various cases before them, together with many independent sources of information respecting the character and habits of such applicants, have it in their power to bear most ample testimony to the discretion and discrimination with which the funds at their disposal have been administered. And they confidently call upon the subscribers and the parishioners generally, to support the Visitors in their arduous, and too often thankless, labours; and to second them in their endeavours to bring about a permanent amelioration in the condition of the deserving poor.

That a great and remarkable diminution has taken place in the number of applicants of this class at the houses of the residents since the institution of this Society, is felt and confessed in almost all quarters. And if in any instances it has appeared, or has been thought, that no such diminution has occurred, the Committee, from documents before them, cannot help being satisfied that the cause and the remedy of the evil lie equally in the hands of those who suffer from such applications. So long as relief is given at the doors without full inquiry, so long will persons of this class be found to ask for it: so long as bounties are conferred without respect to character and circumstances, so long will mendicants be encouraged to exist in the same state of debased and dependent pauperism. [13]

It is evident that one of the first objects to be sought, both in respect of time and importance, is to FIX and SETTLE the population. [14] The means and measures which immediately present themselves are those whose tendency is, on the one hand, to encourage and assist the laborious, deserving, and permanent portion of it: and, on the other hand, to initiate, and stimulate the growth of providence and industry in those who have not yet learned the necessity and the duty of striving to help themselves and to improve their own condition; and at the same time to check the migratory and mendicant habits of that class of persons, the term of whose residence in any one place usually depends exclusively upon the limits of the indiscriminate benevolence of charitable individuals in the neighbourhood. Such measures are those which the Committee have taken; and in endeavouring by their means to attain the end desired, they trust they shall in future receive the full co-operation of those parishioners who, with every desire of doing good to the utmost of their power, yet may have sometimes been unawares throwing away valuable resources upon unworthy objects; upon persons, at all events, whose cases are not THE MOST deserving cases of industry, respectability, sickness, and distress.

These, then, are the classes of persons of whom it may be safely affirmed that a very large majority of the APPLICANTS FOR RELIEF AT THE HOUSES of the residents is composed. And this statement will, the Committee hope, exhibit the strong necessity of discriminating inquiry being made previously to relief being afforded, not only in order to avoid giving encouragement to such persons, but also in justice to the really deserving poor, in order that they (whose cases are for the most part known only to the District Visitors and the Clergy) may receive that assistance and relief which all will confess to be their due, and every one desire that they should obtain.

Most earnestly do the Committee appeal to the Members of this Society and the parishioners in general, to consider the importance—the Christian duty—of administering the proportion of their income which they set apart for charitable purposes, in such a manner as may produce THE GREATEST amount of good. That duty clearly is, not only to “distribute,” but to “distribute to the necessity” of their brethren. To perform this effectually, a knowledge of that necessity, as it really exists, must be acquired: which implies an intimate acquaintance with the habits and circumstances of families, and with their various grades of desert and of distress. This, again, can only be attained by a watchful superintendence, exercised for a length of time over them by the same persons—as by a permanent Visitor, or the Clergy. Of these, then, let inquiry be made respecting such applicants; they will be at once willing to state whether, in their opinion, they are or are not fit objects of relief and encouragement. To these, who possess the most certain means of information that are attainable, let any, [15] who are desirous of affording assistance beyond a mere annual subscription, apply. They will recommend to their notice, not the most importunate and clamorous, but the most necessitous and the most deserving. They will point out as fit recipients of encouragement not the professed beggar, nor the impostor, nor the vagrant, nor the idle, nor the improvident, nor the drunkard, nor the irreligious; but those, who are aged, or infirm, or sick, or “maimed, or halt, or blind;” those, who are honestly and diligently striving, with perhaps but a single downward step [16] between them and pauperism, to maintain their position as respectable and profitable members of society; those, who are anxiously endeavouring to avail themselves to the utmost of their spiritual privileges and advantages, in order to fulfil their duty in their several relations of life, to God, their neighbour, and themselves.

The Committee turn with pleasure to the notice of the BENEFITS which have been permitted to flow from the exertions of the Society. And here they naturally begin by adverting to that IMPROVEMENT in the TEMPORAL CONDITION of the poor, which all experience proves to be an indispensable preparation for the higher and more important advantages. For it is almost universally found that, below a certain point, the moral and intellectual are absolutely concurrent with, and vary as, the physical wants of a population. The miserable effects of too long continued toil and exertion without adequate repose and nutrition, with insufficient clothing, exposure to cold, damp, and deficient ventilation, and other privations to which the poor are too often subjected, invariably extend their influence over their social condition and habits, and affect materially their position as moral and intelligent beings; bearing powerfully upon matters with which at first sight they might appear to have little connexion. [17a]

The anticipation expressed last year of an increased appreciation of the Provident Funds by the poor, has been more than justified. The number of depositors to the Coal Fund, which in 1844 was 388, in 1845 has been 581. The sum deposited in 1844 was £160; in 1845 it amounted to not less than £263. In the St. Mary Abbot’s division the amount of deposits has actually been doubled. The total value of coals dispensed has been £320, instead of £200 as in 1844. The most remarkable increase is in the districts of Jennings’ Buildings, among the Irish; of whom, in 1844, 14 depositors laid by £6; in 1845, 68 have deposited £33. In another district, in Charles Place, the number of depositors has increased from 3 to 17. In Campden Place 73 out of 125 families, and in Southend 36 out of 50 received coals at Christmas, averaging in quantity from three to four sacks each:—the fruits of their own industry and providence. [17b]

Clothing Funds have been established in eleven districts. The number of depositors has been 100; and the amount distributed in articles of clothing to them, £33. It is confidently hoped that a considerable increase in the number of Subscribers and in the amount of Subscriptions to the District Visiting Society may enable the Committee to establish a general measure; which for want of sufficient funds has been hitherto of necessity postponed.

The above facts speak for themselves. That in the second year of its establishment upwards of ONE-THIRD of the whole poor population—and consequently a much larger proportion of the permanent and industrious part—should have been persuaded and encouraged and enabled, by the means of this Society, to lay up for themselves a winter provision of what is so essential to the comfort and health of their families, would demonstrate at once, even were this the only point of attention, and these the sole benefits caused to the parish, that neither have the Visitors been inactive, nor their exertions and the plans of the Society unproductive of valuable results. If these facts proved nothing more, they would at least prove this, that the respectable and industrious poor are willing and anxious to help themselves if encouraged to do so; that, unless when their ignorance has been insidiously imposed upon, they are desirous of considering the rich as their friends, and indeed look to them to give that encouragement, and that, if it be given, they will return the fullest and most desirable reward to their benefactors, by proving that their help has been of real benefit to them, not only in their outward circumstances, but also in their improved moral and intellectual tone of feeling and habit of life. These facts give an earnest that each succeeding year will continue to add materially to the efficiency of the Society, and to the amount of good produced through its means. The most difficult and most important step is secured; the CONFIDENCE OF THE POOR in the Visitors and in the Society. [19] And thus a foundation is established for a superstructure of operations, the fruit of which, under the Divine blessing, will assuredly be that of continually increasing advantage, temporal, moral, and spiritual; and whose effects will be found in the present and future happiness of both him that giveth and him that receiveth—of both Visited and Visitor.

Other POINTS OF CONGRATULATION which last year offered themselves to the Committee have this year not less of prominence.

The large number of Baptisms which was then exhibited, 100 above the ordinary average, has been in 1845 scarcely diminished. It is believed that very few above the age of mere infancy now remain who have not been baptized.

The Triennial Confirmation which will in the present year (on the 9th of June) be held in Kensington Church will, there is good ground for believing, be attended by a large number of persons who through the exertions of the Visitors and the Clergy have been brought to feel an anxious desire to avail themselves of this sacred rite.

Few points of attention are of more importance than that of obtaining SITUATIONS or EMPLOYMENT by the Visitors for the poor in their respective districts. Whether they regard the removal of young persons from vicious associations to positions in private families where they may have not only the advantage of advice and direction in the duties of life, but also the forcible influence of moral and religious example; or whether they consider the benefit derived from providing openings of honest livelihood [20a] for those who perhaps have long been struggling against bitter distress and consequent urgent temptation; the Committee feel that it is impossible to overrate the importance of the subject. The instances which have been reported tend strongly to confirm their estimation of it, at the same time that they demonstrate the value of the assistance given by the Visitors in this respect. [20b]

The opening of a new National School for boys in the Gravel Pits will, it is hoped, have the effect of reducing the excessive pressure on the Town Schools; the fulness of which has hitherto placed a considerable difficulty in the way of the exertions of the Visitors and Clergy.

A somewhat similar difficulty has prevailed with respect to the inadequate extent of ACCOMMODATION at Kensington Church as compared with the population. It is not easy or satisfactory to impress upon the poor the duty of public worship, except in the anticipation of a more proportionate amount of accommodation being before long provided.

The Visitors have been during the two years instrumental in circulating upwards of 2000 TRACTS: and the Committee have the greatest satisfaction in reporting that there is reason to know that of those families who are in a position to avail themselves of the use of the Holy Scriptures and of the Liturgy of the Church of England, very few are unprovided with both Bible and Prayer book. [21]

In order to afford means of enabling the Visitors to carry out more satisfactorily their endeavours to raise and improve the condition of the poor parishioners, a Loan Library has been just established, in compliance with the fifteenth rule of the Society. But it being necessary to reserve a certain sum in hand to meet extraordinary calls upon the Treasurer, it has been found impossible to appropriate more than a very small and inadequate portion of the funds to this purpose. The Library has in consequence only been brought into action over a very limited number of districts. The Committee trust that this representation will produce a very considerable increase of DONATIONS for the ensuing year, so as to enable them to bring so valuable and important an institution to bear upon the whole parish.

In dosing their Report, the Committee are anxious to express their cordial THANKS to those Medical Gentlemen whose attendance and advice at the Dispensary and attention to the wants of the poor at their homes, are productive of so much important benefit to them. It is impossible to speak too strongly of the advantage derived to the parish by their arduous and exemplary labours; which, though gratefully appreciated and acknowledged by the immediate recipients of the benefit, are perhaps not sufficiently, as they cannot be too well, known to the body of the parishioners.

And they desire to express most warmly the sense they have of the assiduous and successful exertions of the Ladies and Gentlemen who have taken the initiative in the work of charity as Visitors of the poor. [22] Under discouragements and annoyances of no trifling description—against coldness and suspicion—in spite of fraud and imposture—they have yet persevered in the exercise of their privilege as members of the Church, in following the example of Its Divine Head, who “went about doing good.” The Committee trust that as these labours, and the operations of the Society in general, become year by year more effective, and their results more fully ripened, there will be found to have sprung up a more intimate connexion among the different classes of the community: one which, founded on an interchange of beneficence on the one hand and gratitude on the other, and supported and cemented on both by Christian sympathy and love, cannot fail in being productive of important advantages to the welfare of all concerned. If it be the ordinary duty of the Committee, while administering the funds at their disposal, to adopt such measures as shall enable the poorer classes to perceive and fulfil what is due from them in this interchange; it is now their office to point out to the wealthier and educated classes, who may be anxious for the opportunity, how they may perform their part.

A blessing is promised in Scripture upon HIM THAT CONSIDERETH THE POOR. It is hoped, that every member of the Church who enjoys wealth, or even competence, will ‘consider’ conscientiously in what manner his exertions for the relief of indigence and the advancement of religious improvement may be most judiciously directed; what talents he possesses, not only of property, but of time, and influence, and connexion; and in what way those talents may be most beneficially and effectually applied. [23] It is hoped, that the necessary relation of Christian principles to active charity will, from year to year, be more generally and more practically acknowledged: that every one will learn to feel that for practice as well as principle of Christian love he is absolutely accountable: that it is therefore imperative upon him for the benefit of others, and at the same time pre-eminently for his own, to take a lively personal interest in concurrence and co-operation with the Clergy, in endeavouring to secure the temporal, moral, social, and spiritual welfare of those who from their position in rank and in neighbourhood are in a measure committed to his charge and care.

The Committee can scarcely be wrong in entertaining the belief, that were this personal co-operation effectually carried out, there would result, under the blessing of God, a far nearer approximation than now exists, to what every Christian must anxiously and from his heart desire—Unity in Church and Nation “in one holy bond of Truth and Peace, of Faith and Charity.”

TREASURER’S REPORT.

The Treasurer, in presenting to the Donors and Subscribers the BALANCE SHEET for the past year, begs to call attention to the decrease in the number of both Donors and Subscribers. Although it was not to be anticipated that the former would be kept up to the same extent as in the first year of the establishment of the Society, when a large outlay was to be met, it was not unreasonable to expect, that both the number of the Subscribers, and the aggregate amount of their subscriptions, would have considerably increased as the operations of the Society, and the great benefits resulting therefrom, were more generally known. It is earnestly hoped that when the foregoing Report has been circulated through the parish, and the large amount of good that has been effected through the agency of the Society has been thereby brought under the notice of the inhabitants, its claims on public liberality will be better appreciated; and that no one who is blessed with the means will hesitate to contribute of his abundance, so as to enable the Society to carry out all those beneficial measures intended for the amelioration of the temporal and spiritual condition of his poorer and less favoured brethren, which were proposed at the formation of the Society, but from which it has been hitherto most reluctantly withheld by want of the requisite funds.

The Treasurer also begs to express his regret at the small amount collected in the ALMS BOXES at the Parish Church, in comparison with the number who attend the several services; it is gratifying, however, to observe that in one or two instances a larger amount has been deposited as a THANK OFFERING—examples which, it is hoped, may be frequently followed by those who have experienced any special blessings.

The Treasurer wishes it to be distinctly understood that he would thankfully receive Donations or Subscriptions of however small an amount, as it is the wish of the Society to afford an opportunity to ALL CLASSES to assist, as far as their circumstances will permit, and each according to his power, in the furtherance of the great work of practical Christian charity.

The Treasurer in Account with the Kensington District Visiting Society.

SUBSCRIPTION ACCOUNT.

1845. £ s. d. £ s. d.

Subscriptions 377 13 0

Deposits in Alms Boxes:—

For January 1 17 4

February 2 7 3

March 3 1 9

April 1 13 6

May (including Whitsunday) 9 17 3

June 1 8 7

July (including a Thank Offering on the recovery of a Child) 6 0 9

August 1 15 3

September 5 12 7

October 1 17 1

November 1 16 0

December 2 7 4

39 14 8

The Vicar’s proportion of Collection at Church Door, on Christmas Day 4 15 2

Produce of Sale of Bibles and Prayer Books 3 15 6

Deposits received from 636 Depositors 267 8 1

Interest on Deposits in Savings’ Bank 2 14 9

Balance in hand on last Coal Account 5 0

Interest on amount in Savings’ Bank 2 17 0

Cash from Donation Fund, to meet DEFICIENCY 35 5 4

£734 8 6

1845. £ s. d. £ s. d.

District Grants for January 43 9 0

February 33 6 0

March 48 19 0

April 44 19 0

May 28 2 0

June 8 15 0

July, August, Sept., October 28 6 0

November 47 11 0

December 22 5 0

304 19 0

Paid Mr. Stanham for 121 tons 11½ cwt. of Coals, delivered at 28s. 170 4 2

Ditto Mr. Neate for 93 tons 3 cwt. at 28s. 130 9 4

Ditto Mr. Bailey for 11 tons 14 cwt. at 28s. 16 7 7

Returned to 55 Depositors having left the parish, or having subscribed less than the value of 1 cwt. 8 0 8

Expenses:—

Books, Printing, Stationery, &c. 46 0 1

Collector 25 19 0

Sundries, including use of Board Room, &c. 14 19 2

On Coal Fund Account 6 4 0

Receivers of Deposits on Coal acc. 11 5 6

104 7 9

£734 8 6

JOHN SHEPHARD, Treasurer, ALFRED WADDILOVE / GEORGE WARNER } AUDITORS.

9th February, 1846. Examined and found correct.

DONATION ACCOUNT.

1845. £ s. d.

Balance in hand from last Account 94 6 7

Donations 41 6 1

£135 12 8

1845. £ s. d.

Purchase of Books for a Loan Library 15 0 0

Cash to Subscription Account to meet DEFICIENCY 35 5 4

Balance in hand 85 7 4

£135 12 8

JOHN SHEPHARD, Treasurer.

ALFRED WADDILOVE / GEORGE WARNER } Auditors.

9th February, 1846. Examined and found correct.