Advance copies of That Last Waif; or, Social Quarantine, were sent to a large number of persons in different walks of life asking for suggestions relative to practical individual co-operation in promoting a social quarantine worthy of Twentieth Century Ideals, to be in active operation (started), with the complete aim, at the opening of the coming century, January 1st, 1900.
The time has been too short since the mailing of the advance copies to remote points to give the entire consensus of opinion. Sufficient suggestions have, however, been received to formulate a plan of individual co-operation, and to suggest the grouping of individuals into organizations for the purpose of a thorough quarantine campaign.
The most hopeful signs elicited by the call for suggestions come from the least expected sources. Persons who are themselves under the ban of social disapproval through participation in occupations that are classed "not respectable" by social decree, jump to support the movement, because they best know that cruel conditions of persecution and neglect do exist. They not only have felt the neglect or persecution themselves, but are in touch with it and with the children who now "have no show on earth to be good." This is due to the neglect of society to provide children an opportunity to choose between the good and the bad by supplying adequate infant and progressive character schools as recommended in our appeal.
FORMULA
1. The title of the individual shall be Quarantinist; all others, not active quarantinists, being classed as Neglectists.
2. The insignia of the Quarantinist Order shall be golden yellow (the quarantine color) ground, with the fraction 1/100 on it in black.
3. The contribution of the Quarantinist to the promotion of social quarantine shall be one one-hundredth of his or her time, each month, toward assisting people in less fortunate circumstances to favorable conditions; especial attention being given to children as recommended in "That Last Waif; or, Social Quarantine."
THE BENEFITS ARE MUTUAL
One per cent., or 1/100, of income may easily be saved from some careless waste, and if applied monthly would not be missed. Looking for waste for the small contribution to quarantine would lead to habits of care in personal and household economy that would pay the quarantinist many-fold benefit. One per cent, or 1/100, of time is seven to eight hours per month. That time, devoted to the consideration of the less fortunate, would reveal phases of one's own good fortune that would revive a just appreciation of blessings now lost sight of in contemplation of the glitter of extravagance, which flashes out in the midst of still greater unhappiness and discontent in the social strata above.
The insignificant contribution of a quarantinist would, in the aggregate, even if participated in by only half the people, easily effect a Perfect Social Quarantine worthy of the highest Christian Ideals.