Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-12-15
THE POOR.
RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

In most if not in all our larger cities there
are permanent organizations for the relief of
needy and destitute These organizations in
the larger cities are permanent institutions.
An effort is now being made in that direction in
our city. Two meetings have been already
held on this subject and the third one is to be
held this evening att o'clock in the English
Lutheran Church for the purpose of devisng
plan, and putting it into operation, which
shall work effectively and properly for the re-
lief of the needy and destitute in our midst.
Destitution, poverty and crime are circum-
stances to be found in nearly al communities,
and all governments provide, largely, statutes
for the suppression of crime and provide but
little for the relief and prevention of destitu-
ton and poverty. Crime and restitution are
not necessarily connected with each other !;
though crime too frequently results from des.
titution. She or he who prevents vice or
crime by relieving the necessities of the poor
and needy is bcnefactor, not only to the OBJ
jects relieved, but to the community in which
he or abe has prevented the commission Of
crime. The persen who in the hour of sorest
need happens on fellow creature, who, driven
by the cravings of hunger or the pinching
pangs of cold, is on the verge of destroying the
admonitions of moral teachings, and for the
preservation of the body. is ready to peril the
soul by plunging into theft or robbery anI
affords the needed relief is ministerng angel,
and has saved an immortal soul, perhaps,
from perdition.
Need and restitution are not always the
results Of vicious education or a criminal
nature. There appears to be large class of
persons in this world who have not the quail
ifcation of management, and many of these
from circumstances Of ease, dwindle down into
poverty from no other fault than this want of
management crime and vice have nothing to do
with their condition but may follow upon their
foil into need. This should be prevented by
affording timely assistance and procuring for
them tho means and opportunity of doing
something for their own support, land teaching
them how to keep themselves above want.
Others through good satured confidence and
the villainous nature of the cunning and sharp
are reduced from wealth to poverty and per-
haps untitled by nature as well as education,
to struggle with the trials of adverse fortune
and too weak minded to resist temptation. are
ready to yield TO crime and pollution to pro-
long wretched existence. In these and like
cases prevention of degradation is work well
pleasing in the sight of Heaven, and brings
its rewards and it's blessings in this world by
saving to society useful members. and pre-
venting taxation to support engorged Peni-
tentaries and Jails.
There are also vicious needy among us who
should still be the objects of kind care as it
may lessen the degree Of their criminality,
and perhaps lead to reformation and useful.
ness. If but one out of an hundred be saved
and restored to usefulness in society, it will
be worth all the labor and means that can be |
expended.
To rc.ie7e the distressed, to sooth the I'M
happy, to sympatHise' with their misfortunes,
and to restore peace TO their troubled minds,
Is the highest duty as itshouid Be the hottest
pleasure of those in whose hands il has pleased
God to place the means Of accomplishing such
noble and mighty results. C.
It is work which calls for the material ala
Of man and the ministeriBg kindness Of true !
,ron1n. TIE lsttsr is always ready and will
ling to engage in all works Of goodness and
benevolence; but this is work in Shlch she
must be aided BY the sterner sex. Shall they
have il? We know. because we have fire.
asaaf,- hs.sithe language used, that there arc