Jenks's Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland [Me.]) 1799-1802, 1802-07-26
for tits oa7ttts.
THE POOR.-rsKr IN.


projecting improvements IN civil lite ) yet,
until fome infuperabe OBJECTION be prodaced,
ought not TO refrain natural and urgent
inclination. fiud, by late COMMUNICATION,
that mealures for preventing future dfrcis,
as well as removing that which already exits,
have been ranked among the hisheIt puriuNs OF
bensvolenoe, in communities far more advan-
ced than our own. This, il will be recolled
ed, was mentioned as a principal motive tor
the preleut undertaking and though The
goodnefs of my cauie is irfelf fufiicent to Juft-
fy the greateR zeal and perseverance, Jet am
willing to receive and acknowledge any en-
enlargement that may arIfe from the example
and authority OF others.
1t feems then adviflble, for the accommo-
dation of tn, fe, who need either fuPport or en-
eour agemeat, to eref large building OF
brick, 10 high and healthy ituation. AS the
inlfitution is rot to be mere temporary bui
nefs. il is plain, that the iize aud nsterials OF
the houie fhouli be oholen on the idea OF per-
manence. Il ihoud be as retired as the lead
ing Objects before enumerated will allow. Its
apartments fhould be large, well lighted, and
furn ihed with every requilie for donieRc life
Why ihould the wretched be lhut lhut up from
the condition TO which providence has reduced
them luficient burden, without any addition
from the negligence or feverity of men
Before we have formed our reIolution and
digeaed our plans for beginning the work
which is now recomm nded it is proper 10 IN
qure inio the BET methods If future manage
ment. Until we fed ourfelves realty TO ieize
every thing that can be propoiej for improving
the purfhit in which we are 10 engage, and
rendering It's coaisquences mott eHeetual Tor
the relief of luff-rers, we cannot be iupPoisd
prepared TO enter on the operation. a iiitle
delay would be lefs dangerous than entering
upon the profscution of our views, without
an enlarged idea OF that mercy which we in
tend TO encourage and beftow.
Cleanliness is principal ingredient Of sxif
ence; this therefore ihoaAk be cultivated with
diligence III all ercumaanaes, BUT particularly
in the lituA,ion now def-ribetF Large collea
IONS of perion. are much more unfayorable 10
ibis habit than fnaller communities and The
mssfdres employed 10 any purfut ih'uld be
vigorous, in proportion as the difficulties are
great Any abule with reiped TO 70 m?or
tant point will be attended with numerous
prefent inconvenience, and followed by dan.
gerous and oflca fa'al conlequcnces. Theie
evils, however, and others Of ficnilar nature
are not 70 Be prevented 70 much by any i'm
mediate applications, As BY general encourage
ment. and vilible di(polition TO make the fub.
Jets OF our care pleAled with themfelves and
II. If fituat;on. Let them be iui mined with the
means of deoency in their apartments, food and
dref, AM they will want bur few other mo.
tives for sxertion in a CAME which 70 nearly
| concerns both health and enjoyment. The
greateh dependence for correcting faults, and
promoting every deirable obief, NUT be pia
ced upon the affective benevolence of thole,
whom | would tylc, inRead of OOsrfers, the
Fatbas of the poor. This title would bring
with il an aiIemblsge Of the MOI pleaiing and
important duties. There is more il NAMES than
we at fra imagine. They often arrea fome of
the mot valuable preludces Of the human
heart, and prejudice os fome kind governs the
computation, when II is found, that thefe names
are accompanied by difcharge Of all thofe OBJ
legations which they fuppofe and demand.
Like real Fathers, thofe who are appointed
to this Office ihould guide, encourage and gov
ern all under their care, as charged, in great
meafure, with their prefent and everlaaing
good. With fuch ideas OF their duty, they will
| NOT content thsmieves With prefervipg an ex-
iaenee, ufslsls 10 its poGeiTors, and burden
fome to fociety but they will ieek to render
the fcene Of their infpeaion the abode Of hap
pinefs, and the nuriery Of virtue.
| For reafons already animated would have
the place now defcribed called the bouft Of ia
dyfry, or fomething efe equally inofsnfive !;
| rather than take name, which, by long a
bufe, has become cpprobrious. 1t vii! Be iad
that any other nyle, however different from
the preienr, applied 10 the fame object, would
ioon convey as contemptuous meaning as that
which we with rejected. Bat the improvements
which have been Propoled, are of fuch nation,
that, 70 far as adopted, they will change the
complexion of the whole fcene. From the hope
that 20 thorough reformation may take place,
it is eafy 10 fee the propriety OF uing laa-
guage, which ihall agree with this accomplish.
ment of our views.
am aware that the plan of charitable relief
I n