Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-31

= II
ident Aid Society of w ASH agton City.
FELLOW CITIzghs:-Whilst you are nj1ying
the festivities ofthe season aud partaking, vim
bounding hearts, OF the luxuri furnished by
bouufeous Providence, the Committee Of the
"Provident Aid Society of Washington city,"
appointed for that purpose, would especially,
but earnestly. call your attention to t1s 'sti-
tute poor, who are suffering In silence st their
dreary homes or croncbing ard shi yering at
your door posts. pi'eously begging the crumbs
which fall from your we'll supplied AMI gsr-
geously decorated tables. Tue cheerfuluess
with which you have heretofore responded to
similar calls reuders II unnecessary and su-
perffuous for the Committee TO invent or IN H.
urly arguments to quicken your sympa.hies
or overcome your reluctance. II is enough for
you TO know, that real aud distressing dsstitu.
ton exists, in order to secure the needed relief
FttlOc- Citistns, such Is the ssddening fact,
ascertaihed by actual in vestigation,. by persons
OF both sexes. entitled TO confidence and re-
spect. Tits no exaggeration to say thai from
scores OF dark and dismal homes In this Me-
nation on the face of the globe, the cry of dis
tress and want is heard from the lonely w lido W,
feeble from hunger and cold, and her fatherless
children. bare as the lamb newly shorn of its
fleece. We rejoice to believe that this cry of
distress, or the wall of anguish, will not be
beard in vain. 1t ls pleasant to know that,
smIdst the wreck of the great dpostdcy, the re-
deemlIg element OF q generous and noble SYM
patty in fallen man remains unframed and in
tact, and his heart is rarely im pervous TO the
appeals OF the needy. II rs htrdly necessary
central duty, imposed by the behests OF natural
and reyfaled religion. Is alike binding upon
all man kind, without respect TO creed or nation.
The iSrGeflte finds IN '.the Sacred Ordcles"
Com0itted 10 his care this obligation imposed
with an emphasis which he cannot disregard
The Protestant finds this great duty redupli-
Gated IN the teachings OF the New Testament
and dares not ignore the instruction of his Di-
vine PLASTER, ''to feed the hungry and clothe
the naked
The Catholic may also learn from his che ished
version of the Scriptures authenticated by the
teachings OF 'the Fathers" in the pages of ira
dtiOn that the brightest treas ures of the church
Is the poor of the flock.
The man IF NO religion must face the oblIga-
poor which he cannot lind in counting his
boarded treasures.
Let US then, fellow citizens, come ND man.
fully and cheerfully to this glorious work of
responding, ard removing the burden from
the heart that is oppressed with sorrow and
care.
Let us all rejoice that there is an oasis. a YER
dant spot, In this wilderness, where we may
full the banners of strife, and cultivate the
sublime virtue Of Holy Charity. And if we
upon authority which cannot be questioned
that even ga cup of cold water given to the
fainting or the thirsty, shall be honorably
recognized, in "the Great Day. of ultimate
adjudication, and the Judge of all the earth
will bid us welcome to the world OF light and
Joy, where love shall beam from every eve
distil from every lip, shower from the fingers
of every hand, and create around the ransomed
throng an atmosphere which angels will seek
to inhale, and in which God himself will delight
to dwell. Amcn. so mote al be.
Rev. SKrTrMUs TusrIN. d. d Chairman,
Rev. A. ID. GILLETTE, ID. ID,
Rev. BY RON SUNDERLAND, ID. d.
Rev. Il. PEYTON Brown,
Rev. j. q. BUTLER. ID. D.,
GEORGE SAVAGE. Esq.
Washington, ID. c., Dec. II, 1s6s.
+. S-City papers please copy.