The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-01-01
For the Union and Journal.
Soldiers Relief Society, Kennebunk.

The ladies of Kennebunk have been actively
engaged since early In tho commencement oitne
var. In Furnishing articles Of comfort to the
siok and wounded soldiers. Their organization
Il the Soldiers Relief Society. Mrs. Z. Z
Bourne Is President, Mrs. l. Lord, Vice Presi-
dent, Miss E. W. Hatch, Secretary, and Miss
M. III. Hackctt, Treasurer. They meet ut least
once week. At their second annual meeting
last week, tho Secretary presented an interest.
Inc report. which, did your limits allow, would
be offered for your columns. A brief synopsis
will give a view of tho work and efficiency of
tho Society. In referring to the moro system
attic course OF action adopted the past year, the
report soys, "wc have enlisted for life, or for
the war, as the case may be, and our efforts
have been regular and constant. When our
funds have been exhausted, we have confident
ly called on our friends for mid, nor have our
calls been In vain. Twice have liberal contri-
buttons been taken Mt the several churches in
town, for our benefit, for which We would ex-
diyiduals have at other seasons responded gen.
erou.ly to our appeals. Coming unca'led and
unlocked for, we would make particular men,
ton OF Mr.. John Storer. of Sanford, who has
twice and again made US the recipients OF ten
dollar bank note. .,
Not only has our treasury been supplied with
funds, but gifts Of the necessary materials have
enabled us to make upwards Of forty bed quilts
with very little, II indeed, any expenditure OF
money. By the liberality Of our friends, our
hands have not lacked materials for work dur
ing the year. and we have been constantly able
TO furnish work to oil who have attended our
meetings, and to supply others, who could
work more conveniently ut home.
heart was In the work,-who was ever ready to
do what she could, has been called to her heay-
emily home. Being dead she YET. speaketh, eI;
horting MS to increased diligence In this, as we'll
ns every other labor oflove.
The report enumeratcs the various articles
manufactured, and hospital stores contributed:
The value Of quilts, shirts, drawers, SOCKS
&C., Is S57S.97 hospital stores, jams, Jcllics,
pickles, corn starch, &c., 5000 making
total Of S659.47.
ciety the past year was 'Paring Bee, to which
Notwithstanding the scarcity ofapples, twenty
Ave bushels were contributed. The result OF
this effort Is still on hand ready to be transmit
ted the first opportunity. .
"Another branch OF benevolent action near
~ related to our own, and connected with II
By the occupation of the same name, rs we'll as
by the mid rendered by several Of our mem
beers, may very properly be mentioned In this
report, viz: the contribution Of old clothes,
bedding &C., furnished by our citizens in Feb
ruary, tor the suffering freedmen ut the South,
amounting in value, at o moderate estimate to
$780,"
A second contribution of q similar donation,
in clothing &c., and cash, amounts to 1888.
'"The Society is under renewed obligations TO
Dea. Palmer Walker for the gratuitous use Of
"Fremont Hail." and for supplying US with
fuel
"While It cannot be denied We have made
some sacrifices in running up to our work from
week to week, while home duties have often
been deferred to enable US to do so-while ia
tiguc has frequently put forth its plea in vain
for ease-we bear willing testimony that we
have been amply repaid for oil. in the pleasant
interchange Of feeling we have enjoyed, max.
Ing us forget oil lines Of division, In the in
creased strength and purity of our patriotism,
and especially in the deepened sympathy OF
our hearts for all who are laboring, fighting, or
suffering for our country's salvation. Could
We follow the delicacies and comforts which we
send forth to their final distribution among the
sick and wounded, how greatly would our sat-
isfaction be augmented
Let us grid on then, our armor anew, rs we
enter upon another year. trusting, that on Its
close, our work will be finished, md our coun-
try reposing in the blessings Of peace"
I may add, that the above and other contri-
buttons by tho citizens of this town for Santa
ry PURPOSES the past year, amount to over
twelve hundred dollars. This statement Is not
made BY way Of Boosting, but, IL possible, to
encourage fellow laborers In the same cause In
other towns, and also to provoke any, who
may be negligent to good works. W..
Kennebunk, Dec. %, 1863.