Smyrna times., 1874-01-14
The Smyrna BenevOIent Society.

In looking over the records of this Society
we lind that in January, 1867, the ladies', on
account OF the severity Ot the weather, we're
prompted to hold Festival for the relief of
the poor. Efforts were put forth immediately
to secure contributions, and on the evenings Of
the 9th and 7th OF February the adaptation OF
the Festival to the tastes of the people was
manifested, by crowds Of people thronging the
Hall in which it was held. The entertainment
proved complete success, and four hundred
dollars were realized. This amount was dealt
out to the poor monthly by the visiting COM
mlttee, who went to see for themselves the sick
distressed and disabled
A year afterwards an exact account was pub-
llshsd, which startled the community by the
! vast amount OF good done by the Society, which
moved along so quietly aud uuobtrusively
This report which was so satisfactory 10 our
citizens, brought to the town an excess Of pau
perism which we had not anticipated. For
this reason We have studiou4ly avoided pub.
fishing our accounts, nevertheless any one
wishing to see our books will find them open
| TOR inspection.
The first year OF our organization we had
thlrty-Slx members, all OF whom we're ladies'
We have lost twelve by removals; twenty
four by Withdrawals. Two of our efficient Off.
cers, and three private members have died.
Others were added from time to time, and
htty-seven members are now on our roll, thir.
teen OF whom are gentlemen.
The amount raised from Festivals and
monthly contributions since the Society ha,
been in existence, is fifteen hundred aud ffty
nine dollars and two cents. The average amoun
OF which for seven years is, two hundred anC
: twenty-five dollars and seventy one cents
/ After all that has bsen done there is still ar
abundance of poverty in our midst. A success
J sion OF recurring circumstances await az from
: year to year. One set Of unfortunates pas
. away, and another cometh, and thus, our tow
is by turns evacuated and replsnshed.
Only short time since mother, havins
several small children, and an infant at tn
breast, poor, and emancated with that terribl
{ disease, consumption, was attended to by tn
I Society, and her wants cared for, and her sor
rows partially relieved; and when she die,
J was genteely inferred A home was soon foun
. with benevolent lady for two OF the littl
children, one Of which was the infant. Tw
others have been provided for since. Havin
o been relieved of this family other necessitou
r cases present themselves for assistance.
o We are reminded of Scripture by one Of tn
a ladies', aud by our own realization of its fact,
9 that it is therein said: That the Door W
y shall hare dtlodys with us. 4"
" 1t Is now proposed to hold Festival if th
i community desires the continuance of this 81
% cety. The people are to it what Aaron an
2 Hur were to Moses. Moses could do nothin
without their assistance, and so long Is 20
hold up the hands Of these ladies they wi
prevail over the sorrows Of the disconsoiate
We hope all those called upon for contrib,
+. tons will treSt the ladies with kindness, and
they feel unable to give, am sure they wi
a not be pressed to do 80.
An. election for officers will take place q
Thursday evening, the 10th inst, at Mr
MeRobsrtss. Wehops the members general
will be present. Those in Office desire TO
relieved, as they have been serving the Socie
i. for several years. We will notify the publ
" when the Festival will be held in next week
hs paper. s. Z, MASON, Sec
n. SMYRNA, Jan. 18th, 1874 p.