Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-04-20
For the Journal.
LADIES' BENEVOLENT SOCIETY OF VIII
AiINGTON, N. C.
Report OF THE SECRETARY AND TREAsUnER,
1852.


REPoRT OF THE SECRETARY AND TREASURER,
lS4S-'9.
Encouraged by the success of the previous
wear in the work and labor of love for which we
are associated, the Ladies appointed TO Office BY
the last annual meeting set about their work with
cheerfuIness and ZEAL and to-day they can adopt
the language of the prophet Hitherto the Lord
hath helped u.s..
Objects of extreme destitution and suffering
have met the eyes of the yisiiers in most OF the
districts through which they have been called TO
pass in the prosecution of their duties; ana theh
hearts have been often cheered by viewing the
comfort they have been enabled lthrongh the
bounty of this society," to lmPart. But aias 100
often has it heen obvious that the desoiati"hs OF
Sin were before them. and they nave oeeii con-
strained to feel that the cause OF these LnlseIies
lay beyond their reach.
Auence in restraining the vice of Intemperance,
far more chectuaI would be the relief afforded the
suffering and destitute than through any pecuni-
arv aid they can bestow. We are here to-day, 20
take survey of the year now closing, and to en-
ter anew upon the duties before US for another
The hand of God has been with us-no fell de-
stroyer has thinned our ranks-and it becomes US
to acknowledge the mercy and to devote ourselves
afresh 10 the service of Him who condescends to
honor US with employment IN his vineyard.
But we have to regret that although strenuous
efforts have bcen made to increase the funds OF
the Society, by exciting interest 10 its behalf in
the female portion of our community that should
add to the number of subscribers, the books show
a smaller subscription list than at any previous
time. The amount received has come far below
the demands upon the Treasurer and had there
not been a surplus in hand from several of the
earlier years, the officers might have been com
PEELED to hear in vain the many applications for
relief. But help has been afforded from other
quarters. There are benevolent hearts among us
not connected with our Society.
Several gentlemen during the extreme cold Of
the past winter, generously placed in the hands Of
several of the visitors various sums to be used in
FINISHING warm clothing. covering, wood &c.
(which the funds of the Society could not afford
desiring only that the relief should not be restric
ted to cases of sickness. With this aid they have
heen encouraged to go forward-hoping that in
future their hands will be better filled with bless
ings for the sick and needy.
The Treasurer reports only $50 90 by SUBJ
scriptioa the past year, & donations 10 the amount
of Sc so. The balance in the treasury last year
$40 SO, makes the amount SIT O2, Of which
$50 1913 have been distributed in various Wards
leaving balance in the Treasures hands o
S2l 90. Should this state of things continue
the Society's operations must soon be at an end
Look at the facts. In the year past. when th'
general depression has increased the amount o
poverty among US, the amount contributed for it,
relief by those who have to give is $50 10 below
the actual expenditure-and no more has beer
done than was strictly required for the comtor
of those we profess to succor. Ladies OF Viii
mington, shall it be said that thirty only of u:
who inhabit town long famed for generosity ant
Kindness are found willing to give aims, TO th'
small amount of one dollar annually through thl
Benevolent Society for the relief of the sick ant
suffering among US? Oh les it net be told lha
the appeal to yoG for such cause is ma1o II
vain and let who members Of this ooce
ty, solicit our friends, remind them that there al
objects Of charity around us pinng for aid galhe
.helr contributions enlist the feelings Of tic gen
lie sex in behalf Of suffering humanity, and thu
be prepared to go forth increased in numbers, ant
with renewed energies, to the prosecution OF on
most delightful task-entering the ahodes c
Indebtedness, and communicating comfort an
hope 10 the carew0rn and destitute, that sha
spring them afresh 10 take their places among mer
yith tue cheering thought mat sympathy yct live
il other hearts for them. And RAY God prospa
us, filing our heats too with peace. and JOY an,
lively hope.
BY order Of the Society,
G. 6. KENNEDY. Sec. T. Trees.
m mns. ! " 4 b. T1 Mt@as.. D'rsc'rssses.
Wilmington, April 10th, l849,