The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-20
CARE FOR THE AGED.

Ladies of the Union Aid Society OF the Moth.
Odist Episcopal Church-Anpual Meeting
Reports and Addresses. st n.s e-....
In the year 1860 few ladies, who felt the neces-
sty for some systematic effort to care for aged ana
1nfrm female members OF the Methodist Church, or.
ganized q society under the style OF the Ladies'
Union Aid Society,"" and hired and afterwards pur-
chased small house IN which they cared for few
helpless and aged ones for more than six years. A
donation OF two lots OF land was then made to the
Society by MIR. william s. Seaman. and the ladies
purchased third lot and built thereon, In 1851 the
beautiful and convenient "Homep In which they min
lister to the minds and bodies Of more than four
score aged Christians whose sands Of life nearly
rum and who, as they enter the valley and SHADOW OF
death are cheered by kindly words and sympathizing
deeds. When the edince was completed there re-
NAMED on 1t q debt Of $4,000, which In the sue
ceeding seven years was reduced to $1,000, and in
1864 this completely wiped out through the per-
severine efforts Of The late Schaurman Halstead,
and a balance OF $4,000 remained, with which the
''Home" was put In thorough repair.
During last four years the institution mas re-
ceived from the State and city annual appropria
ton Of $4,000 ana for the two years preceding these
$4,000 annually. The outcry raised last winter
against
sEcTARIAN APPROPRIATIONS BY THE LEGISLATURE
and the municipality of New York has deferred the
managers from asking such aid. A plot Of ground
in Lexington avenue, which had been donated to
the society," has not been either accepted refused
because of the opposition made to Its acceptance by
the Preachers Association. The question Of raising
the necessary funds to carry the good work OF the
society without asking for or receiving State city
aid was referred to that body some months ago. They
appointed committee to consult with the ladies
an to devise some plan OF annual subscriptions,
but nothing tangible has yet come from that COM
mttee. The preachers deem II better to let the
ladies devise their own plans, and the ministers
,he managers have to depend upon fairs and and
festivals ana donation visits, together with few
annual subscriptions for their funds. These
the ladies $9,456 n, which, with balance Of
$4667 81 that remained In the treasury January ],
1870, made total of $14 023 So. From this sum was
PAID out Tor current expenses during the year
Sill, OS6 49, which left balance III the treasury ut
the commencement OF the last year there were SO
old ladies In the Home; 10 were received during
IS years respectively, and they haS enjoyed the he
hospitalitles OF the institution Tor periods ranging
from four weeks 10 fourteen years. The average
BENEFIoIARIEs IN THE "HoMEy
all the year round was eighty.nve, and the actual
cost OF maintaining them In the Institution was a
traction less tnan 81 81 per head per week. This
includes not merely table expenses, but fuel and
and, as the matron, Mrs. Adams, plthily remarked,
she believed her family could not be boarded in the
Astor blouse r @ sum- e Of ex
for the Aged.
The younger members Of the Board OF Managers
have organized a Reading Committee, which at
stated times visit the inmates ana read and sing 10
them and strive to brighten and cneer the waning
hours OF life. They ask for donations OF books and
magazines for the library. The house physician.
DR.. Fetter, reported that the health OF the inmates
OF Inc Home was remarkably good; but to avoid the
contagiOn Of smallpox he had vaccinated the entire
family. The building Is always clean, well vent-
lated and comfortably heated, anu, in his opinion
everything Is done for the and comfort OF the
aged that can be done by the worthy matrOn.
Three managers-Mrs. Betty, Mrs. William Il.
Corning anu Mrs. John Cronch-died during the
year. All these facts appeared In the several reports
| winch were read yesterday at the
| TwENTYFlRsT ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY,
| at which Mr.. c. G. North presided. choir OF
| young friends present sang very sweetly several
pieces appropriate Tor the aged in their outlook
| towards heaven, and interesting remarks and all.
| dresses were made by the chairman and Rev. J, s.
Willis and Rev. Mr.. Asten Mr. North expressed his
deep interest In the progress OF the institution
which has now attained us majority, and said that
| the first So he ever gave away was TO the Five
| Points Mission and the first 500 was TO the sOd
LADIES' Home" lie referred to the gralincarlon
which the managers to-day must have wtnin them.
selves as they review the progress OF the institution
ieet which used to tread Its halls, but which now
tread the golden streets above. Mr.. Willis spoke
about the retroactive and reactive influences OF be.
nevoence, by which they who do good to others
receive good themselves. Mr. Asten's remarks were
equally appropriate, and after a few words from
otner friends present and the election OF officers the
society adjourned.