Shut-in Society

Shut-in Society was an international non-denominational social service organization working through established channels to unite the sick and well through letter writing.

The objects of the associated were stated in this printed manual:—[3][4][5] To relieve the weariness of the sick-room by sending and receiving letters and other tokens of remembrance.

To pray for one another at stated times daily, at the twilight hour, and weekly, at ten o'clock on Tuesday mornings.

To stimulate faith, hope, patience, and courage to fellow sufferers by the study and presentation of the Bible promises.The manual continued to be sent out on its mission of sympathy and greeting every three months, until January 1883.

[6] The Circular Letter was superseded by an organ, Shut-In Visitor, edited by Kate Sumner Burr, and published at Walworth, New York.

Some branches maintained exchanges for the display and sale of articles made by incapacitated members who were not afflicted with contagious diseases.

Persons interested in the Society's work, who were willing to assist in it by writing letters to shut-ins and calling on them, and otherwise giving service, could become associate members.

The Wheelchair Committee supplied wheel chairs, back-rests, book-rests, lifters, tables, trays, invalid beds, and crutches to those members who were in need of such articles.

[7] Both the shut-ins and the associate members wore a little pin on which was engraved the initials of the society, and these stood for "Sympathy, Integrity, Simplicity".

It was an octavo of sixteen pages, monthly, and devoted to the interests of those who were incapacitated,[11] providing specimens of letters which passed between members.