The Portland daily press., 1862-10-28
Twentieth Annual Report of the Martha
Washington Society.

The year just closed has been an eventful
one and demanded OF this society kind of la
Dor, TO which it has heretofore been unaccus-
toned.
The unnatural and wicked rebellion which
has done much evil to our peaceful commr-
mites, and threatened ruin to the government
has required of all classes the cheerful sacrifice
of labor and love, of property and life. The
members of this society have felt that they
had duty to perform in this solemn emergen-
cy Some OF us have given husbands, sons,
fathers and brothers to this holy cause and ali
OF us have been willing TO work for it,
Since the first of May last, the weekly meet
ings Of this society have been devoted to labor
for our brave soldiers. During that time we
have made one dozen havelocks, So sheets, los
pairs drawers, rs shirts, IL pillow cases. s pairs
large hose for the sick, quilted two quilts, be :
sides large number of hose knit by the la
dies at home, all OF which have been duly for
warded to the Maine volunteers in the field
We propose to continue this work until the
rebellion shall be finally put down, and our
country become one again. We know no
higher or holier duty than this, and every true
impulse of the heart impels us onward to its
performance.
But, in doing this pleasant labor for the sol
diers, we have not forgotten the primary OBJ
jeet of the society. "The poor We have al
ways with you,' is truth now as much as when
uttered by our Lord eighteen hundred years
ago; and, whether in war or peace, we shall
always have them with us. They are the
jewels of the Heavenly Kingdom, committed
to US on earth for our love and care. We can
not because we dare not neglect or forget
them. The Divine voice is ever ringing in
our ears, "lnasmuch as ye did it unto one of
the least of these, We did it unto me-"
To the poor, during the year now closed,
we have given 100 yds. factory cloth, 157 yds.
calico, 30 yds. cotton flannel, 81 silesa 14l l-2
yds.de laine, and other wooden goods IA yds
flannel. all wool, 40 pairs boots and shoes, u
pairs hose, shawls, 2quilts, dressing-yown
skeins of yarn; 81 garments have also been
made, and s29 in cash distributed to the poor,
besides various articles of secondhand cloth
ing sent in at the circle
Compared with other associations of larp-
er means, all this may seem small: vet we
have reason to know that these donations, ac-
companed as they have been, by loving and
sympathetic words, have made many a SORROW
fnl heart glad, and breathed new hope into
many desponding soul.
We have found the spiritual value of seven
cup of cold WATER" which our Lord esteem
ed at such an infinite price
The society has held 81 meetings during the
year, with an average attendance of % men,
bers. The largest number preseut at any
meeting were 43, Is new members have been
added; one Withdrawn, and our worthy sister,
r. X. Eastman, has been called to her Heaven
ly home. She was not often with us at our
meetings, but was deeply interested in our
cause. May We truly initiate her virtues and
christian character; and as one and another
OF our members pass away, let it stimulate us
TO increased energy,
Thus We present very briefly report of this
society.
We wish it might have shown larger to..I
OF use; but we are profoundly grateful to our
Heavenly Father, that we are permitted to do
even this much in His name
The Treasnrer's report shows that we are
out OF funds. To go on with our work. we
must have means. For the twenty wears ex-
istence of the NJ. w. Society, its calls upon
the community have been always met with
open hands and generous hearts We doubt
not 1t will be so now. Let us enter upon the
labors OF the new year, with faith in God, that
lie VIII replenish are exhausted treasury and
enable us TO make an abundant harvest of
good, the recipient of which shall be not only
the poor, but our own souls
ANNIE NJ. c. KIGNSBURY, Secretary.
Oct. 23d 1862.
OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY,
Mrs. BENZ. KINGsBURY, Jr. Pres.
MRS. WILLIAM CARR, Vice Pres.
Mrs. GEORGE BEAL, Secretary.
Mrs. Moses DODGE, Treasurer
Miss A. NJ. c. KINGsBURY, Assistant Sec.
PORTLAND, Oct. %, 1862.
The Treasurer of the Martha Washington
L. A. Society, hereby reports the amount re-
ceived for the current year last past as fol-
lcws, viz
Annual Contribution of Members, S24,25
Received from Leyee, Lecture, and
Donations, 1924
Total. Sl60 40
Amount paid by order of the Presi-
dent, S160 40