The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-11-06
Annual Report Of thsIsaco Prevalent
Association.


Annual Report Of theISaco Prevalent
ID Association
The Board OF Managers OF the Providsnt
Assertion Of Ssco present, according TO tho
Of the Consultation, their scc-
ond annual Report
The number Of members the past year, has
been one hundred and eighty four-less by
one hundred and forty two, than the year
preceding.
The amount received during the year has
been one hundred and fifty nine dollars and
City three cents-less by one hundred and
forty seven dollars and sixty seven cints than
the year previous.
These facts have their partial explanation
in the we'll known influence OF novelty, to
give rest to IN enterprise. which whatever
its intrinsic worth, many will be at first
attracted 10, chiefly rs new thing. To
whatever other cause they may be as
signed, It would be with unfeigned sorrow
we should be compelled to accept them as
evidence Of diminished interest in the
objects for which VIC arc organized, viz
compassion for the unfortunate, and q sys-
tematic, etlectual help Of the needy within
our borders. Our purpose has been in no
case to interfere with the bestowmens Of
private charity, but on the contrary, to CO.
operate with all who arc willing to co-ope-
rate with US, in bringing to light those cases
Of want that are most likely to eludo atten.
ton, and in ministering, rs we may DO able.
to the relief Of the poor and suffering around
US. If any have distrusted the practical
workings Of our association, It must be, we
feel confident, In view Of the unavoidable
imperfections incident especially to the com
meneement Of such an enterprise, rather
than the result Of thorough Investigation
of the character Of the enterprise itself. 1t
seems to us no moro than justice to the i'd
mrable system, of which we are not the
authors, but under which We have enrolled
ourselves, to soy, that the poor Of our town
within the limits Of the twenty districts te
which our association is confined, have been
generally visited and cared for, the past year
Us they would not, and could not well, other
wise, have been. We do not mean, in say
ing this, that wo have met every want, moi
that as much has been done as we saw occa
sion and desired to do. Our means wert
far too limited for that.
But notwithstanding the reduction Of oul
members, and funds, alluded to, We are abb
to report an amount disbursed to tho dcsti
tute and suffering exceeding by one hundred
and thirty dollars, that Of our first year
Our first years receipts were three hundred
and seven dollars and twenty cents OF which
only one hundred and seventy one dollars
and twenty six cents were expended, leaving
a balance, at the commencement Of the pas
year, Of one hundred and thirty five dollars
and ninety four cents, all OF which. amount
ing to two hundred and ninety Eve dollars
and forty seven cents, has been called for,
leaving our treasury at tho present moment
empty, and IN outstanding debt Of six dol
lars.
Our visitors as q body have labored viii
diligence and fidelity that entitlc them Il
the thanks Of the association, and for which
multitudcs Of the poor and sorrowing will
call them blessed.
BY reason OF removals from town, OF sick
ness and other causes, half Of tho original
visitors were Obliged to decline serving the
second year, and their PLACES were according
ly supplied.
The monthly meetings Of the Board have
been regularly held; at which questions O.
practical interest have frequently arisen
and such measures been unanimously adopt
ed as seemed fitted to promote the great oh.
jects we have at heart.
The experience Of the FIRST year proved, as
was expected, valuable. We have been en-
abled, In consequence, to distribute our
charities, in some instances more wisely, and
to direct and concentrate our efforts more
efIectually.
II would not be reasonable to suppose that
all the old difficulties would in one year, OF
in two, be wholly overcome, or that new
ones would not present themselves as we nd.
vanced. Some over.san guine expectations
have doubtless been disappointed. There
have been, with some Of the visitors, 1t may
be. momcntary feelings Of Encouragement.
on comparing the greatness of the need they
witnessed, both physical and moral, with
their small power TO supply. They may
have received, in some instances, returns OF
ingratitude for generous kindness rendered.
Good counscls may have been unheeded and
there may have bccncass In which our
gifts have been abused But oil these have
been largely counterbalanced by manifest
good accomplished. Many have received
our aid with deep and lasting gratitude.
Many have listened with attentive ears and
impossible minds, to tho good words spok.
en- to them. To many, the presence Of our
visitors has been Ms that Of good angel, in
their abodcs Of suffering and want, lifting
up their hearts In Thanksgiving to the all.
merciful and all.lovins Father. We have
seen not only the poor widow made glad,
and the tears Of the orphan, and worso than
orphaned, dried-the dcsplate heartb.stone
checrcd-thc hungry fci-tio coid ~srm-i
tho sick visited and the sorrowing com.