More Saints and Sinners

The House-Agent

More Saints and Sinners written by Agnes C. McGregor

Correspondence regarding d’Annunzio

The Canadian Forum, February 1921, p. 149

The following sketch has been received in reply
to a recent article.

MRS. SOROFSKY rocked comfortably while the new baby slept in her arms. Successive ups and downs had not quenched her zest in life. Like a tall sunflower in a weedy garden she had risen triumphantly above her struggles with poverty and Mr. Banbury. Tangible evidences of the "ups" were arrayed upon her billowy person and about the room. Her visitor, a former settlement resident, referred to the Banbury soup episode. Mrs. Sorofsky smiled broadly, till a glance at evidences of "ups" reminded her that such references were incompatible with present dignity. She promptly erased the smile and said briefly — "That very long time ago". And so indeed it was. The baby in her arms was not the one which proved to be twins, but the daughter of one of those selfsame twins and thus one of Mrs. Sorofskys' numerous grandchildren.

Mr. Banbury had long since been gathered, not unto his fathers, but into the undertaking establishment of his paternal ancestor where he succeeded that ancestor in a useful occupation. Thus slumming and uplifting lost an able exponent. The more tolerant see in Mr. Banbury's translation evidence of a noble change of heart since he is now content merely to understudy where formerly he instructed the Almighty.

But Mr. Banbury's abdication of the field is not local and sporadic. Rather it is epidemic and typical of changing conceptions. The Banburian traditions and methods of yesterday are being effaced. Young people everywhere are turning to a study of the social sciences, believing that these sciences can be applied in the establishing of better conditions. To such students, whether in or out of universities, the community becomes a laboratory. And they seek really to know human beings, realizing the limitation of their former acquaintance. They know that although all human beings possess great fundamental instincts in common, no two are affected alike by their surroundings. They see great extremes of opportunity. They realize the impossibility of classifying human beings unless very roughly as adjusted or maladjusted. If maladjusted — why? Is it personal failure or faulty environment? Probably a combination of both. Thus great vistas of "causes" open before the student. Are such causes removable? Can conditions be improved? Can a social worker assist in such work? The student who feels that he can will find his way into some present day agency which succeeds the old Banburian type.

Thus Mr. Wright the social explorer is succeeding Mr. Banbury the uplifter. In spite of years of preparation, rather because of it, Mr. Wright is appalled by the difficulties of the task. His faith in human capacity for ultimate brotherhood, however, gives him sufficient optimism to carry on and always he cherishes the belief that some day people will learn how to live together. When that day comes the social worker will be as superfluous and unnecessary as the town crier. Endless files of workers and "material" do not pass through his office. Mr. Wright is an executive, working with other executives. Nor does the neighbourhood visiting devolve upon him. His assistants are carefully chosen for quick sympathy, sound judgment and something more. He would like this something more to include an arts degree and a course in social science, poise and personality, and a sense of humour, an attractive face and a keen mind, good taste in clothes, and the ability to live a well-rounded life on a small salary, wide experience with youthful buoyancy, a knowledge of community resources, stretching from legislature, church and school to crèche and soup kitchen. But Mr. Wright, being more human if possible than his workers and clients, is too wise to expect the infinite. So he chooses workers possessing the highest possible percentage of these rare qualities of spirit.

If relief of need is part of his agency's responsibility this is made the lowest rung of the ladder which will lead by way of friendship and understanding to a removal of causes of distress, and thus to the reestablishment of normal conditions. Can such reestablishment be made? Not always — but often [p.150] enough to make the effort worth while. And so long as personal failure and bad conditions continue to scrap human beings, social workers must, in the name of common humanity, make the attempt. No rule of thumb for such work will ever be found. It must vary as widely as do the individuals with whom the work is done. The success of the worker is measured by the extent to which he gains his client's co-operation. His client is no longer passive "material" to be moulded into shape, but a human being discovering and developing his own power to adapt himself to better conditions.

Some day when a pageant of the evolution of social work is written, Mr. Banbury will be chosen to represent the jelly fish of the saurian era. In those distant enlightened days, the worker of to-day will be represented as just emerging from the cave man period, with, however, a developing sense of law and beauty. To the writer of this pageant, Mr. Banbury's portrait, because of its brilliant accuracy, will be invaluable. In order that no possible error may dim this historic accuracy, the date should be appended, and this unquestionably is A.D. 1890.

Agnes C. McGregor.