Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-03-11
AID FOR FRANCE.
A Letter TO the Protestant Episcopal Cha. Ch
OF the United States.

NEW YORK, March 9-The follow
ing, for publication, is sent free OF
tolls by the courtesy Of the Western
Union Telegraph Company:
1t is hoped the clergy of the United
States will not forget that next Sab
bath is the day on which it is pro-
posed that a general collection shall
be taken up IN all churches for the re-
lief Of the French sufferers by the late
war. Now that the war is at an end,
1t is presumed the hearts and purses
of the benevolent Of all classes, SEN
timent and opinion, are open to this
appeal. The following letter from
Bishop Potter is published by the
New York Chamber of Commerce
French Relief Committee, who ex-
press the hope that similar action will
be taken by bishops of other diOceses,
as well as by leading members and
clergymen Of all denominations:
To the Clergy and Laity Diocese of New
York:
Very Dear BretBren-Your Bishop
who has 50 often appealed to you, and
never in vain, for objects Of religious
interest, appeals to you to-day in be-
half of a9sudering nation THE French
people, who once stretched out a
helping hand TO US in our great need
have been smitten and OVershadOWed
by a storm Of war, and vast portions
Of France have been laid utterly waste,
the mOUrnful remains desolated.
Families are lett by the retiring scourge
to face the horrors OF famine, and pre-
pare for famine, and prepare for pe5ti-
leDce which is sure to break out in the
midst Of the vast wreck of physical
energies. Besides all present, distress
it is to be remembered extends
throughout an extensive district.
Seed for another harvest is wanting.
Many Of our cOuntrymels, as well as
many in other countries, are hasten
ing to minister relief, so far as may
be, to this great misery. Already
our ships are being freighted with
supplies to help save the perishing
At such a moment, you will
agree with me, we have nothing to
DO with political questions; you will
rejoice to take part in the great ma
tiOnal effort to minister to necessities
of a sOrely afflicted people. The
French Relief Committee of the
Chamber Of Commerce, in New York
having kindly offered to make itself
the almoner of the nations bounty,
has proposed that collections be made
for this object, in all the churches Of
the country, on the second Sunday in
March, the 18th inst, which is the
third Sunday ia Lent. In this pro-
pOsal, made known to me as I was
preparing to take some action toward a
general end, very cordially concur.
nc lime is short, but the need is Ur-
gent. 1 would, therefore, most ur-
| gently recommend that collections be
made, if possible, in your churces, on
Sunday next, or as speedily as cireum-
| stances will permit, and L would,
moreover, respectfully suggest that
] you avail yourselves Of an agency OF
I said Relief Committee In the Cham
Der OF Commerce, of which Mr.. Chas.
I 81. Marshall is chairman, and Mr..
/ Chas. Lanier, No. q Pine street, New
/ York, is treasurer. Commenting
upon you, dear brethren, the blessing
Of Almighty God, 1 am, most afIec-
/ tiOnately, your friend and brother,
HORATIO POTTER,
Bishop of New York.