Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-01-28
Address Of the Com mittee 10 the
Members Of the society Of
Friends in Ireland.

bIIghiiDg that species ol food which ha
hitherto formed the chief susicnance oi |
large proportion Of the population OF ihr
country, has reduced nultitudes arount
us TO condition Of sore aud pressing
want and ~ venturIng TO look ioTwart
To the approaching period when the rem
nant Of the potato crop may be general,
consumed, the consideration becOInei
truly appalling. So extensive is the ca
lamity, that The exeTtions OF the beDevo
lent, as to any general and united ac'
tion, appear TO have been to a consdera'
bic degree paralyzed, and disposition
is evinced to leave to the government a
lone, the task OF providing food for the
people. Under these trying clrcum-
stances, it is incumbent on US to consld-
er what is the duty required at our hands.
Much has been done and is doing by
those charged with the administration OF
public affairs, to relieve the existing dis.
tress, and in the great extent of public
works now in progress there Is evidence
Of their earnest endeavours to afford
that assistance which could hardly be
done by any combination Of private per-
sons. We regret TO observe, that these
endeavours are not everywhere second
ed by the jealous and disinterested CO.
operation Of the inhabitants Of the re-
spective districts and we consider il
highly important that an example Of en-
ergelic, united, and well directed effort,
by independent individuals of all classes,
should be exhibited much more gener-
ally than it has hitherto been. Without
such hearty co-operation the measures
Of the government cannot be fully car
ried out and il is remembered, that a
large amount Of the prevailing distress
can only be reached by the exercise Of
private benevolence; and that for want Of
accommodation in the union poor-houses,
adequate to the present exigency, a vast
number of infirm persons, widows and
ialberless, unless otherwise cared for,
are in danger of actual starvation.
We are persuaded that these consider
atoms need not be urged on many whom
we now address, but that their hearts
have already been deeply affected in
Witnessing and hearing of the destitution
around them and it is no unimportant
part Of the work now before us, to con-
tribute to the help Of these, by diifusing
information collected from the expert
ence Of others, whereby their willing
labours may be so directed so as to ef-
feet the largest amount of good with the
means at their disposal. We learn
with grea. satisfaction, that our friends,
in several of the towns where they re-
side, have already forned associations,
raised considerable funds, and adopted
judicious measures Of relief, and we
trust their example will encourage simi-
liar proceedings elsewhere.
In recommending TO the members OF
our Society to act in concert with this
matter, we feel earnestly desirous, that
Individually and as body, we may be
found performing our duty on the present
occasion. Many Of us partake largely
Of the Lords outward gifts, and il is
surely incumbent on us to be prompt in
our sense Of His unmerited
bounty, by officers of Christian kindness
% our suffering lellow.creatures-may
we prove ourselves faithful stewards OF
he substance entrusted to US. Some Of
our Friends possess opportunities Of use
illness, but are so situated that they can
rave few, if any helpers we hope these
will not be discouraged from doing what
hey can others may with proprie,y
Ind very uselully cooperate with their
neighbours Of other religious professions,
n relief associations, whether Of local
,r general nature--let each seek to know
lis or her own proper line ofservice and
20 diigent in occupying it. In forming
| Central Committee of Friends, il was
that this course is ri ght for US
IS body, and also that our exertions
hus combined and conce cenlrated are
likely to be more efficient, and more USE
ul to the community at large.
We invite our friends who have TO
pare, after administering to the necessi. \
les Of those Immediately around them,
o forward their contributions to the CEN
raj fund. 1t is far from our desire to
ivert out of the channel, in which they
nay be most usefulIy employed, the pc
uniary supplies required for local wants;
ut it will be seen that a central fund af-
ords facilities for equalizing the burden,
nd enabling the strong more effectuaIly
D help the weak. We would also remind
ur friends, that there are extensive ru-
al districts, remote from the residence
# any members of our Society, wherein
eslilu,ion prevails to an extent Of which
10 adequate conception is likely to be
ormed by those who have not witness
d it. The accounts that reach US oil
he state Of the population in some OF
hese districts are deeply affecting we
earn also that these poor people bear
heir suferings with exemplary patience,
nd that there are but few instances Of
he turbulence and outrage that have
occurred in ncighborhoods where much
ess distress prevails. We appeal to
he llberality of all whose hearts are
nuched with compassion for those en-
Turing such priva,ions, to enable us to
xtend hand Of help to some of these
intent and uncomplaining sufferers. /
NNa a,a auaro Of tho a,Inn,, VI