Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-09-14

Heroism--Incidents Of the Epi-
demic.

Moral HerOism --Incidents Of the Epi-
demic.
Tue Young Mems Christian Association
has divided the city, We learn, into twenty
two districts, and appointed q committee Tor
each, with pHy-icians and spothecaries, and
has established, at d number Of points, inhr-
maries to which the sick, when necessary,
are sent. Not only this, measures have been
taken TO furnish the destitute with such del
icacies IA their necessities require, with gro
cerles and other provisions. We call this q
Christian work, true philanthropy, a genuine
exempIfcati1n Of that charity which, II we
May slightly alter Tennyson-
takes up the harp of Lie, and smItes on
all the chords with might;
Smites on the chord OF Sell, that, trembling,
passes IN music out or Sight
In this divine work, woman, as usu-
al, is the chief agent. Woman. wherever
there is pain 10 be relieved, the broken heart
ell to be raised ~; where gaunt poverty and
raging fever hold terrible carnival; where de-
lIrlum ADD the death rattle drive men from
the ABIDE Of misery, there Is found woman
Aud no where else does the peculiar aud IN
nate beauty OF her true nature shine out with
SO serene and steady and divine a light; no
where else does the bravery OF her moral be-
rJism appear SD Respondent, so enSlable.-
We know not now many there are who are
ct this m0ment engaged in conflict with SUI
fering and the plague in New Orleans; but 1t
Is certain that the number ~ by no means in-
significant, and it is equally true that they
are dovoting themselves TO 1t with a courage,
u zeal and d iaithiui!ncss that would astonish
those WIN know nothing of their labor If love.
Il must not be supposed that these women,
young aud middle aged. many of them delicate
and educated, the ornaments 10 society. only go
where and when they are called upon for assis-
lance. Notwithstanding the neat OF the wealth.
er. with the slight protection OF their bonnets
and p~draso!-, they TAKE 10 the streets, thev ex-
ploce Tue alley, they seek out those who would
Otherwise never receive the blessings OF their
presence. ]ney push INTO the aboies OF the
lowly The crowded and filthy apartments where
the epilemic RACES with the greatest power
Nor mast II be supposed that they contine them.
selves ID the yellow lever alone. Ihey relieve
suffering wherever they lind IL, and take care OF
the destitute. SICK Whatever be the nature OF
their disease Very touching, as we'll as terri.
bic. are some OF tue scenes which some OF these
light r0bed messengers nt mercy have witness.
ed. In one place Oh G!rOd street, they found a
German family OF eight persons in the second
story OF a house, seven OF whom had the yellow
lever, aud the eighth, an infant, lay a corpse by
tue side of lis sick mother. who. in her delirium,
was all unconscious that her little one had been
released from its sniiaringsl The little corpse
was let down outside, lest lts mother should be.
~ 81. - II l. -. -..., -
aer 20 bear. In another case, a well educated
m a native OF Philadelphia. whose father,
He understand. Is living and wealthy, was found
almost entirely destitute. and upon whom the
progress ct the fever mad gone too lar 10 be ar
rested. she soon passed from her sorrows, and
unwilling thai her father should know anything
OF her iaIe. We might mention the particulars
OF DINER Cases as touching as these, but our space
ios:its II.
Surely these christian ladies' ere doing a work
tina; y truly tiodiIGe.
One word more and we have done; they will
accept nothing Tor their own, selt.sacrlIIcIng
tolls, hUt every ao"r they must spend money for
medicines, Tor Gc!Icacl"S, tor muses., etc, and
hence they must have a large sum TO meet the
u-cr.s.t;c. when they fad existing This hint
III New Orleans VII be sufficient. Surely there
j. MOI d ran in the CITY, who, being able, will
moi par his hand mo us pocket, TO AID them in
their mission of love and piety.
sweet as refreshing dews or summer shower
To the long ~parchIug thirst otdroopIng flowers"
is the presence at these ministers of mercy IN
many d dark and sonowtuI teverstricken
abode. Let their hands De stayed up, let their
purse, be filled, and kept tull 10 repleiion.-N.
y. Buie IN.