The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-01-31
LADIES SOUTHERN RELIEF FESTIVAL.
Proceedings OF Saturday at Maryland
Institute Hall.
TOUCHING INCIDENTS.

lions OF collars cOHtTlDuCeu Dy the pe0-
Pile north of the Potomac, for the relief
of the South, Maryland alone contribu-
ted upsoards Of one million. Innumerable
Relief Fairs have been held in Balti-
more, the last of which is that of which
we now give touching description ia
ken from the Gazette of the goth. We
regret to see that the Virginia papers
have not lauded this noble charity as it
deserves.
The festival of the Ladies' Southern
Relief Association, at Maryland Insti-
tute Hall, was brought to a close on
Saturday night, and the result was even
more gratifying than was anticipated
in the middle OF the week. The ladies
were earlier at their posts OH Saturday,
from the fact that the day had been set
apart to receive the offerings of the chill
dren, and those who were present will
ever remember, with pleasurable emo
tons, the scene which was presented.
The noble ladies of the Association are
tireless i'm their efforts to relieve their
distressed sisters OF the South, and no
sacrifice appears too great, or exposure
too severe, to stop them for one mo-
ment in their holy mission of charity.
There is a noble emulation which has
spread itself throughout the communl-
ty, and the afiluent and those Of more
limited circumstances address them
selves alike to the work of relief as soon
as the cry of distress comes waiting on
the winds from the South.
On Saturday morning all the tables
had been replenished by donations from
benevolent citizens, ana the early NOR
ming indicated that it would be the best
day of the festival. About IL o'clock
the little children began to make their
appearance, and the joyous sparkling
of their eyes told what unallOyed hap
piness 1t afforded them to lend their aid
IN the great work Of relieving the dis
tressed.
THE CHILDREN's OFFERINGS.
Mrs. Gen. Is. c.. Howard. with sever
al other ladies, took position on the
stage to receive the offerings, and for
several hours they were kept busily en-
ployed. The casual observer would
notice that those who had but little
brought what they could, and SO great
was the pleasure which it afforded them
that there was no shrinking back be-
cause the offering was small, but all was
light and happiness.
From the time it was known that Of
ferings would be accepted from the
children they addressed themselves to
the work of procuring whatever might
be of use, and carefully treasured it I'M
til the time arrived when they could
deliver it to the ladies who will see that
1t is given to those who are in such dire
need.
There were many pleasing incidents
connected with the children's offerings,
and the heart went Hp in gratitude to
the Oliver of all good, that there is still
left In the land the valuable attribute of
charity as there so beautifully exempli-
fled. Little children with heavy bun
dies tottered under their burdens to the
stage, and as soon as they had deposited
their offerings the satisfaction which
was imprinted on their countenances,
moved to tears many who looked upon
them. One little boy, with very small
bundle, bounded up the steps, and laid
his offering in the hands of one of the
ladies. 1t proved to be little iron
bank filled with pennies, which he had
been boarding for a long time, with
which to crafty some selfish desire; but
he asked that it be given to some dear
little Southern boy. Another carried
small bundle, but he declined to give
his name, as he said he only wanted to
give the tritie he had to poor South
ern boy.
A little girl presented herself to the
ladies and handed them a bundle con-
tanning piece of nice goods. She said
her mother had bought it to make a
dress for her, but she could do without
1t, as she would rather little Southern
girl should have it. A little girl pre-
sented her own offering, and said her
mother had the money box of her little
brother, who died few weeks ago; the
money, ninety-one cents, she wanted to
girl presented small offering, but be-
fore doing it was reminded by her faith
er that she had nothing to give; she re-
piled, 'sPa, have beautiful doll, sell
it for me, and give the money to the
poor little Southern children" Among
the offerings were several gold dollars,
silver half and quarter dollars, and
smaller coins, amounting in all to twen-
ty-five dollars. One little boy gave the
whole Ofhis g christmas savings, amount
ing to nearly ten-dollars, and another
took off his new greatcoat and gave it
as an Offering, after being assured by
his parents that he could not have an
other this winter.
During the time the offerings were
made upwards of one thousand children
passed upon the stage, and more beau
tiful exhibition of true Charity was
never witnessed. Four little children
from the Home of the :Friendless pre-
sented themselves with their offerings,
which were gladly accepted by the Ia
dies. A little boy of ten years, from
Virginia, asked his mother if he might
not offer his baptismal dress, as there
are many children i'm the South who
had not dress to be baptised in. His
parents had lost all by the war, and he |
had nothing else to give. A little girl |
who wore blue jacket, which she very
much admired, asked If she could give |
it, and when answered affirmatiyely, |
took it off and handed it to the ladies |
with an air of very great pleasure. A
little girl OF four years wanted to do |
for the children of the South, |
and she invested all her Christmas mo- |
ney in cake, which she sent to the ia
BILE of Mrs. General b. G.. Howard, |
when it was sold for ten dollars. The |
money was returned to her, and on
Saturday she made her appearance with
| large bundle. of dry goods, purchased
or the children OF the South
None who were present will ever for
get the beauty of the scene of SO many
children, in the fullness of their hearts,
aging their offerings on the altar of
charity, and there was nobility in the
work which is approved OF Him who
eads His lambs into pleasant pastures.
The offerings consisted of upwards of
our hundred dollars in money, and six
enormous boxes of dry goods, &. oceries,
'lothing, toys, &c.
sP Died in Church.-A most sad
lening incident occurred at the Found
ry Methodist church in Washington,
n Sunday morning, which cast gloom