The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-08-19
THE NEXT WINTER AND THE POOR


critical and urgent nature of the exigency.
THE NEXT WINTER AND THE POOR.
While the numerous benevolent associations
Of which our city can boast, are adequate TO
the relief Of tho poor In days of ordinary dis
treas, we have had q sad experience to teach
| US that they fail TO reach hundreds OF desery-
ing persons, who are too proudly sensitive TO
make known their terrible extremity, and pre-
fer to suffer and die In silence. Extraordinary
measures must be adopted for such extraor-
dlnary times ~ these, and we must prepare to
| fight one OF the severest battles Of humanity
| during the bitter winter days to which we
have ever yet been called.
Citizens must bestir themselves in every
Ward, collect and contribute, appoint commit
tees Of vlsltors-active, untirlng, and devoted
-see that the wealthy do not escape giving
from their flush purses upon the plea Of igno-
rance OF the condition of things, and cease not
the labor of love until the darkest cloud Of
this calamity has passed away; or, in spite Of
the charities Of the churches and the benevo-
lent societies, many Of our fellow-crestures
| win starve In secret, or freeze beside the
sparbless hearth. Thinking and large-hearted
men should take the preliminary steps to orga-
nlze o general system OF relief and their
Christian efforts viii doubtless be sustained
BY all who have anything to spare from their
store.
But while we must commend these asso-
ciated movements for the administration OF
aims, we cannot forget that the most blessed
Of charities is that which Involves individual
devotion. There are very many OF both sexes
In this community who have both time and
means to become Of vast benefit to the needy
and suffering. Have they the heart to feel
| for the wretched?-a strong sense Of the duty
they owe to their fellow-beings in the hour OF
dstressP No doubt, there are few of our
young ladies who have not glowed with admi-
ration OF that devoted angelic spirit who shed
such sweet radiance over the couches Of the
sick and wounded in the Crimea, and who has
built for herself a monument that shall out
last the pyramids-ayoi even the stars thai
go chorussing through time. If they have ad-
mired, perhaps they have yearned for an
opportunity to prove that they are not In
capable Of such heroism. Well, the hour Is
at hand. Are they ready to meet the emer-
gency and perform the labor of devotion it
demands9 Ahl this task of refraining from
lavish, luxurious indulgence, and going into
the highways and byways to seek the sick
and starving, inquiring into their wants, aud
giving relief with ones own hand, Is scarcely
one TO atiract those delicate and dainty
creatures accustomed to all kinds of self
qualification, and who have been so reared
that they dread the winds Of heaven visiting
them too roughly. HerOism Is well enough
to read about and eulogize in conversation
but It's reality Is stern and forbldding TO the
| lover of a velvet lie. Yet those who have the
best right to be ranked as authorities in thii
matter of selGdevotion and charity --thost
who have written their names In gold upOI
the tablets Of time-will agree that their worH
was, like mercy, twice-blessed. lighting up tbC
homes Of poverty, and kindling such Vesta
| fame in the heart of the untiring ministeI
| Of relief, AS the wealth of worlds, guideC
bE less haiiowed spirit, could never buy
II may demand a fierce struggle to cOnque
haiits OF Indulgence aud entsr upon caree
Of labor and seif-denISl. but there is a deeI
satisfaction growing out Of a consciousness 0
duty done. and pure pride springing from
knowledge that one has achieved a mastery o
the senses, which will atone for whateve
han dships may be encountered In the start
We say to those who have sighed for an op
pOItunlty to follow in the bright footsteps o
Miss NIGHrINGALE and Miss ANDBEws
that If they wish to study aud practise hero
ism as wen as to cali blessings upon their head
the day is approaching when the trial may b
made.
We believe that there Is an abundance {
the genuine metal among the lairer porto
of this community, and that such season q
is before US will call il forth in all its radiaI
beauty What we have said was designe
merely to awaken attention among the goOC
hearted, but gay and unthinking, aud sugges
a girding up of the spirits disposed by natur
and habit 10 take the world easy and bask !
the sunshine, without thought Of those wh
may be suffering in the upas shade Of povert,