Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-01-28

II "o'' w u"'"'h C"uise VI pTOcccuiD,
can he safely adhered To we mus
therefore ask our friends 10 conlide large
| iy in our discretion. Those who al,
conversant with measures of public re
llei To the poor are well aware that dll
cultles encompass them an every hand
and there are circumstances in tile SO
cial condition OF the poor Of this coun
try, and 10 the character Of the presen
calamity, which greatly multiply ihes,
difficulties. In venturing To take a smal
share in this work, our desire is 10 as
sist in feeding the hungry with as little
violation as possible OF those wholesome
checks which in times OF scarcity tent
to arrest improvidence, and avoiding, a.
far as the nature OF the case may admit
all interference with the ordinary hafliS
in provisions. The establishment o.
soup shops in towns and thickly inhabited
places we believe to be especially suita.
bic at the present time, not only as free
from some Of the disadvantages attend.
ing the distribution Of other kinds oI
food, but as furnishing a cheap and nu.
tritious kind Of diet, we'll adapted to
CO ounteract the i'll effects Of the unwhole-
some vegetable food, which, during the
present season, has 10 grea: extent
been in use. We hope much good may
be done IN encouraging the formation ol
these institutions, by seasonable grants
Of money in aid Of local collections. -
Grants may also be made 10 relief COM
mhtees and Trustworthy individuals pur-
suing suitable measures Of relief such
grants, as far as practicable, to be in aid
Of, and not to supersede local contribu-
tions. Should the funds placed at our
disposal enable US TO carry out these
measures TO much extent, they will, in
many cases, require TO be coupled with
close personal investig alton by mem
bers OF the committee, or confidential
agents, into the circumstances OF remote
districts and the relief of operations in
progress. But we shall not be expected
on this occasion to enter into much de-
tail, or even to glance at the various
ways likely 10 open for mitig ating the
widely-spread distress prevailing at the
present time, and which may De but a
foretaste TO sulferings yet 10 come.
There are some considerations arising
out of the subject now before us, to
which we would, in conclusion, briefly
advert. Whilst the weight of the pres
ent dispensation chiefly desceuds upon
the poor, there are in its lessons of So
lemn instruction and warning to us all.
The failure Of the most learned and
acute invest ig ators OF natural phenomena
TO discover either cause or remedy for
the blight Of the potato, presents a re-
markable instance OF the limited extent
OF human knowledge. Although but a
portion OF the fruits Of the earth be hither.
to stricken, we know no, how far il may
consist with the designs Of the Almighty
TO stay or TO extend this visit alton. The
unseen influence which causes one veg.
etable to wi.her, may render frui,less all
the labour OF the husbandman, and it
needs but the turning of the same AL
mighty Hand to spread sickness and dis
olutIon where health and abundance now
dwell. Let none presume to think that
the summons TO deep and serious thought
fulness, and to a close searching of heart,
does not extend TO him. We may Justly
regard this event as a call to humiliation;
and in contrasting tho habits of luxury
of the rich with the poverty always ex-
lsting around them, who can venture To
say that "pride and fulness of bread"
with their attendant evils,* have not in
the case Of this nation, as 10 that of q
people formerly, been highly displeas-
ing in the Divine sight.
But with these reflections there are
some which seem especially 70 belong to
the members Of our relig gous Society. -
Which OF US has ever experienced what
it is to want food ? and probably there
are few, If any, olihose we now address,
who in the present season of distress suf- |
fer any material abridgment of their
usual comforts. May none of our hearts
be lifted up by these things, or betrayed
into forgetfulness Of our dependent con-
dition, and Of our utter unworhiness oll
The least Of the Lords mercies for
surely to each of US belongs the humblinC
inquiry, "What makeih thee to differ
from another, and what hast thou that
thou didst no, receive 7"
Signed on behalf Of the Committee,
yosIrn Ios,rl,'. BrwLrr, w Secretaries.
Dublin, Sd Of Eleventh mo. 1916.
Our nresent limit, Co,h;d ,nv o,,o,,,,l