The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-02-15
sseo Providsnt Society.


ton Of your numerous readers to this Socie-
~. A brief sketch Of whose organization
was presented last week by the Secretary.
It Is society whose object Is both to relieve
md elevate the poor. II is society similar
to one established in Portland, and many Of
our cities. II Is q society that promises to
work we'll, for its principles have been tried
and found suoccrsful. II is no experiment.
1t is no immature thing springing from
some spontaneous burst ofphilanthropy, but
il Is system resting on the broad and i'm
perishable basis Of love, and perfected in its
every part through time and experience.
that system is briefly this:
!. All churches join in II. All persons,
who profess and call themselves christians
are expected to take part therein. What
ever may be the issues on other points, hero
are they expected to shake hands and BE-
friends. Itappeals to their humanity. It
appeals TO their large heart. The poor arc
before them asking for blankets to cover
them and bread to eat. Children without
clothing, the sick without medicine. AL
this presents q claim before which crceds
should bow, politics be forgotten, and per-
sonal matters become triiling indeed.
III. From these various elements, an Asso-
citation is formed consisting Of members both
male and female. A President, several Vice
Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and Board
Of Managers are appointed. Terms Of men,
beship vary in different places. In Port
land Il is one dollar perannum. In Saco, hall
a dollar. These receipts constitute the prin-
ciple fund Of the Association. Many persons
however are willing to contribute far beyond
the initiation fee by which the fund is much
increased. Public entertainments also add
t. 1t. Donations Of clothing &C., are like
wise esteemed as contributing " the pur-
poses of the Association.
Ill. The Board of Managers or Advisers,
rs they are also called, constitute the Exocu-
tive Committee Of the Society, and transact
its principle business. This Board is pro-
portioned to the size Of the town or city.
Thus in Portland, the Board consists of
f,renty.fow Advisers, in Saco, fourteen. In
the latter, the seven elcrgymen of the town
find their appropriate place To these are
added seven ladies, one from each parish.
The churches are thus all duly represented,
and their sympathics brought into exercise.
Local differences which are apt to be more
prominent in small towns than in large
cities, arc submerged. And the entire chris
.ian feeling united both for the relief Of the
poor, and the cause Of true religion.
". This Board Of Advisers have caused
the town to be divided into twenty Districts,
and appointed visitor for each. The Dis
tricts generally embrace street, or where
the street, is very long, us in two or three
instances, half street. The visitor, male
or female as the case may be, is expected to
visit every house in the District from time
to time, for the purpose Of inquiring out
dcstitution and also relieving il. lie isduly
authorized to draw upon the funds Of tho
society. Not in the way of money however,
which is seldom given, but in the way Of
orders upon some store, previously appoint
ed, which orders will be duly allowed.
Thus in visiting some poor family, some
helpless mother, or fricndlos children, hc
pcrcieves what things are most necdful,
whether Of fuel, clothing, groceries or pro-
visions Of any kind, and at once gives GER
tain printed order TO the family for the
amount required, which order is taken to
the store and at once filed. The advantage
Of thus risiiiny over the usual method Of
giving unfortunately at our doors Is APP
parent. The poor are thus substantially ~
licyed, and their wants supplied in more
judicious manner than they themselves are
capable Of doing. lmposturc is detected
also. Street begging rendered unnecessary,
and the truly deserving poor relieved from
want and suffering. Vice is likewise rebuk-
ed. Poor house cases attended to, children
are sought out and saved, and the struggles
of the yirtuous for a livelihood assisted until
such time as they are enabled to take care
Of themselves.
v. These visitors beng chosen from
among the judieious and the charitable.
having fulfilled their duty, make monthly
report, upon printed Blanks supplied for
the purpose, to the General Agent, whose
business it is to prepare from the statistics
thus furnished a Monthly Report to be laid
before the Board of Advisers. In this Re-
port will be seen the amount Of restitution,
and its character. The number Of the
poor relieved, and the nature Of their wants.
The amount expended for their relief, and
the amount required. The Board will thus
have safe and certain data upon which to
act. II will above all become acquainted
with the true extent of restitution among
the poor, a subject upon which the public
generally are in darkness.
The General Agents besides preparing this
report, is likewise appointed to confer with
the visitors, upon special cases. that may
como before them, lie Is expected to over
.es the business accounts, and to gridc gen
orally the hand Of charity in the most ju.
dicious direction.
This in brief Mr.. Editor, Is a synopsis Of
system which II is believed is the only ono
which can meet the wants Of the poor
And also one that will be likely To live be-
yond the passing season. Ii Is well known
by all practical men tat system is indis-
pensible to success. Without II the largest
business will become involved, the holiest
charities fail. A community may be fully
.-...-o,l - ...ii,,,.. A raIieyc distrers and