CHAPTER VII.

ORGANIZATION OF A REMEDY.

Necessity of One Organization to Deal with Youthful Criminal Classes--Error made of using too Technical Religious Methods--Error of Following too much European Precedents--Asylums not so much Needed in America--Pioneer Work among the Dangerous Classes Twenty Years Ago--Captain Matsell's Report--Labors of the Writer in the Five Points--Numbers of Homeless Children in the Streets--Sad Sight of Child-Prisoners--"The Social Evil"--Mr. Pease's Labors--The Necessity Felt of a General Organization--Novel Method of Reforming Young "Roughs"--BOYS' MEETINGS--The Chaffing of Street-boys--Quick Repartees--Kind of Oratory Necessary--The Lads Open for Earnest Words--The Meetings only Pioneer Work--Succeeded by more Thorough Influences--The Founders of the Different Meetings............pp. 74-83