American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-15


there is the hope of a glorious resurrection,
when the dark passages Of life will appear
bright, seen through the light Of the Saviour's
love, and all tears will be wiped away. These
promises Mrs. Conant firmly believed, and they
came like smiles of ministering angels to soften
the gloom of her thoughts, as she sat, one cold
winter evening, rejecting on the presentlmcnt
she felt that her own departure was at hand
There was only one reflection which she dared
not meet-she must leave her dear grand-chil-
dren, leave them, helpless as they were, alone
in the world, where charity is not yet revealed
in Loue, for the Christian mostly provides for
the poor by talc-and though she had firm
hope of entering the heavenly rest, her tears
fell like rain as the thought "what will become
of my poor children?" pressed like ice on her
heart.
The day had been gloomy as her reflections
She had not obtained work for two days, and
all she had earned during the week was ten
cents for making a muslin shirt, and eight
cents for pair of duck pantaloons-work fur
nished her from small clothing shop-eighieen
cents to support three individuals for a week.
Why did she not represent her case to some
charitable socetyl
She feared the children would be taken from
her, or that they would all be sent to the aims
house, where she could no longer have them for
her own. 81 ana willing to 90 when God sum-
mons me-" she said to herselt'-"and | can
commit these poor orphans to Him-but oh! |
could not bear to have them taken away from
me by man-while live they must be mine"
She had given them her last morsel of bread;
they eat it in silence, for they saw that deep
distress was on the face of their only friend,
and as her gaze was earnestly and solemnly
fixed on them they crowded closer together as
they drew near her chair-they felt terrified,
and yet knew not why they should so trembe
and dread to have it grow dark.
Poor little creatures! Their grandmother
had often told them she must die, but still
they had no idea of death. They saw her
raise her withered hands, and heard her as she
sighed forth her last prayer-"My darlngs-O,
Cod protect them'-her arms fell poweriess,
her eyes closed-and the shrieks of the child
ren, as they clung around the sinking form,
could no more awaken her. She was dead!
Who will take care of those children. Doubt
less many Of my fair readers would be willing
to assist the orphans. Go into the houses Of
the poor in this city-n every city-and if you
do not find those two little children, you will
find others equally deserving of your pity
Many poor destitute widow, is now suffer
cause she cannot obtain work. Must she and
her children suffer from cold and hunger du-
ring this long winter? or shall they resort to
begging, or even be driven TO theft? BY their
own work, needle-work particularly as now
paid for, females cannot support themselves
What shall be done to make their condition
comfortable?
In one important respect the system of char
ity through benevolent societies, or by the hands
Of some agent to whom donations are sent, does
not seem the best or most etfectual. 1t does
not interest the hearts of those who give their
money, as they would be moved if each one
performed their own charitable duty Nor
does the mode of receiving assistance from
society call forth that fervent gratitude of the
poor which would be feAand expressed towards
an individual benefactor.
IF every lady who has it in her power-and
what lady has not?-would interest herself in
behalf of one poor family, provide work for the
mother and pay her promptly and justly (not
the mere pittance which the poor through ne
cessity, are often compelled to work for, how
much suffering might be spared, how much
good might be done And would not such
kindly intercourse, such generous and grateful
feelAgs fostered and established between the
poor and unfortunate and the rich and prosper
Gus, make social life happier, and the whole
community better and more prosperous2
In those improvements which depend more
on moral influences than physical or mechani-
cal power, woman has most important and
influential part to perform, because like the d.
vine agencies whose prototypes are love and
charity, it can and must be chiefly effected in
secret. Men cannot search into the springs f
domestic misery; they have not the wand of
sympathy whose touch opens the bKsting
bosom or lleals the bleeding hearts. Woman
Is the hekper-''a ministering angel" when
pain and sickness WIRING the brow, and want
and wo break down the noble spirit and
wither. the delicate feelings of those who have
once been proud and prosperous. Above all,
the charity which carries the blessings of hope
and comfort into the homes of the poor and
destitute of her own sex is surely her province.
Above every other form of benevolence, that
which soothes the wounded spirit and encour-
ages to virtuous exertion. is the most blessed.