GESELLENVEREINE, Roman Catholic benevolent associations of German origin, called into existence in 1846 by a number of journey men mechanics under the guidance of Adolf Kolping, a member of the Dominican Order, a philanthropist who had traveled throughout Switzerland, the greater part of Germany and the better part of Austria. In Switzerland Kolping personally established and spread the influence of the Gesellenvereine. And when he died in 1865 there were in existence about 400 such guilds on the continent of Europe. Under his first successor, General-President Schaffer, the total number of such institutions amounted to, in 1901, about 1,086 confederations. In the practice of administration, and to serve other es sential functions, the membershp of Gesellen vereine was parted into two divisions. A mem ber, so proficient as to be able to follow his calling independently and to teach others, re ceived officially credentials to that effect, and was called a master. The remaining members, persons who could not assume the duties of a teacher, but having merely a diploma to the effect that their apprenticeship had been served, were called, collectively, journeymen. In 1901 the total memberships of the 1,086 existing guilds numbered 80,000 journeymen and 120,000 mem bers holding a master's degree. It was Adolf Kolping himself who set the goal and pointed out the path for the institutions to follow, in stitutions which in so large a measure owed their origin to him. The purpose of this well intentioned man was threefold. He aimed: (1) To further the education and promote the well being of the masses. (2) To furnish them with clean amusements; to entertain them away from vice. (3) To induce all members to become and remain strictly observant Christians and moral citizens.
This threefold goal, if attained, it was rea sonably hoped, would ensure to all members of the Gesellenvereine the recognition that gen uine citizenship always receives. But besides the religio-moral concerns of these confedera tions, a fourth feature received greater atten tion for the first time about 1890. Since 1890
considerable emphasis was given to the activities designed to graduate expert mechanics, mer chants and men of business, generally ; in short, to the promotion of trades of all kinds. It can not be gainsaid that these educational measures, as well as, if not in particular, the religio-moral measures of these Gesellenvereine, resulted in very great gains to the man of labor.
These institutions own, perhaps, 400 hos pices in which a traveling journeyman can find lodging, maintenance and, if need be, even nursing; and a member (for the masters like wise enjoy these privileges) may have all these till he can find such work as his particular training fits him to do. Besides, those who are employed can find in these hospices, and at an almost nominal price, both board and lodging. These hospices are bound together under the control of a single central office: the officiating General-President having his station fixed at Cologne. The associations of the individual dioceses are under the administration of a diocesan praeses, an officer appointed by the bishop. The total amount of money deposited in savings banks in 1903 by the members of the Gesellenvereine amounted to 2,000,000 marks or nearly $500,000. i The number of organiza tions in existence n 1904 is said to have been 1,500.
Even early in the 19th century the proto types of these guilds existed in Germany. After one had served as an apprentice a number of years, he was known as a uGeselle.' As such it was customary for one to travel from town to town until he found employment at his pe culiar calling. He was often called °Hand werks-Bursch0 and in most towns taverns were set aside to accommodate him and his comrade Such laboring men were each time they left town obliged to show a certificate, their to some one in author ity and have it signed.