Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-05-06
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SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 6.
PUBLIC CHARITIES.

one known by the name of the DoRcAs SOCIETY
deservedly stands first, and is entitled to the respect
full Difference and veneration of the Rhode-lsland
public. This institution, conceived by humanity
and beneyolence, was established some eight or ter
year. since, by a c%oterie of pious and talented La
dies, who, on looking around them, beheld the sui
fering., Borrowings and Affections of their less loriu'
nate neighbors. and in a moment Of holy zeal, deter
mined to devise ways and means to assuage Their
distresses, and to render their lives comfortable and
happy and il possible to rescue them from the mis-
cries with which they were ~baplessly and hopelessly
contending. But few in number, and opposed In
their early undertaking, by popular prejudico', and
the frowns of the inpious and unfeeling, they com
menced their good work, and conscious of the purl-
~ oftheir intentions, and certain that they possessed
the approaching smiles ofthe Most High, they cheer
fully went Oh their way rejoicing, convinced of the
bright results which would, at no distant period
crown their pious e~xer,ions.
Depending upon their own enterprise. vigilance
AMI perseverance,, they soon surmounted the obsta-
Gle. that surrounded them, and, aftera short, but
~effectual struggle, succeeded in establishing their p
Gus Institution on a permanent basis. and were graf
flied in beholdins the happy operation Of their cha
rites and had abundant proof that thcir labors were
not idly wasted 10 getting up a wild or chimerica'
project. The Dorcas Society is too well known:
the distinguished ladies composing its government
stand too high in public estimation. to require any
commentator Of ours, and it is merely to speak
Of the worth and excellence of the institution, that
this paragraph is written.
The fund. Of the Society, we are informed, are
at this moment somewhat reduced, and to augment
the treasury, donations from such individuals as arc
disposed TO give to the poor and needy, the sick, af
ficted and sorrowing, would be very acceptable
That there may not be any objection raised by those,
who, from principle, are opposed to the establish
ment and continuance Of some ofthe charities, which
abound in Rhode-Island. it may be very proper to
state, that the funds Of the Dorcas Society are ap.
propriatedt TO the relief of the unfortunate and dis
tressed widows and orphans Of Providence. Not one
farthing is otherwise appropriated; and those who
would giUe, but for fear their money might be trans
mitted TO ~Serampore, and 90 to the immediate bene-
fit of Messrs. Cary, Mur-hman and Ward, are assur
ed that whatever they may throw into the Treasu.
ry ofthe Dorcas Society, will no; pass the bounda-
ries ofour w community. The sums thus chart
tably given, are distributed by a ommi,t APP
pointed by the Society for that purpose. and before
they bestow them, they carefully ascertain that the
benefits thus awarded are merited by the mis-
fortunes and unavoidable calamities of the receiv-
ers. Not a farthing is given, where vice and i'm
morality can reach it, or be enabled to riot on ben
efactions religiously bestowed, to cast aside the
mantle which hovers around the helpless mother
and her hungry offspring. No narrow minded
economy, or thirst for fame actuate the benevolent
Ladie. who compose this Society, and all they ask
As a reward for their labors, is the happy conscious
ness Of having relieved suffering humanity, and of
having les.ened the calamities incident to frail NOR
tally. To Heaven they look for recompense; and
firmly relying on the promises Of their Maker, cheer
fully I'D joyfui'y pursue their pious labours, in the
best and most glorious OF causes. And where IS
the sordid wretch who would not proudly co-ofe-
rate with the Dorcas Society, in their blessed and
God-like pursuits? In this community he cannot be
tound-Ne trust he reslues not IN other coh1Inunit'es'
a He that contributes TO the OF aims
so noble and disinterested, is amply repaid for the
ad he offers, in beholding the cherries mansion OF
misfortune, lighted up by charity, and the once sor-
rowing infant, now no longer wretched, ascending
its iispiug prayers to the throne Of merly and OF
grace, imploring the benedictions Of the Almighty,
in behalf Of its benefactor and protector whilst the
once despair stricken mother, with a countenance
besming with Joy, which once wore the hoggard az"
pect of gloom and mental alienation, chaunis prais.
e. TO those, who, amidst the howlings OF the wintry
blasts, AMI the " peltings of the pitiiess storm" APP
preached her humble domicil, TO 'peak comfort &c
her soul, and to bid her live and be happy.
The ladies' Of the Dorcss Society have done nobly
they have amply sustained the compliment Of
venerable writer, who hss said, that when miser,
surround, US, and hope has fed- when man, defect
.d and dispairing. sinks beneath the load of human
Observation-Disclosures by his ellow-mortals-in tina
dark hour, woman, lovely woman, undismayed b.
the rude blasts Of diversity, with joyful heart ap
prosehes the dying pillow, and with her a%ssiduitie
and cares.es, tears the thorn from his bosom, assua
oe,b;, affections, and strews flowers on the passag
to the tomb.
We have been lead to these casual observation,
by being informed that a sermon will be presche'
hsfore ,hi, Society, sometime in the courpe Of thi