The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-06-02
HELP THE HELPLESS.


together, under the name of HELPERS"
to rescue from a life of shame such
young girls or women as were willing
to turn their wayward footsteps again
into paths of virtue, and thereafter live
lives of usefulness.
1t were easy to discover in the outset
that fearful odds must be encountered,
for women are without money to build
or rent houses and furnish them as
places of refuge for these unfortunates,
and, as to woman's inf1uence-that
boasted tower of strength concerning
which men so delight to speak-ask of
some of these Helpers" if it has not, in
every instance yet tried, proved a
"broken reed at best, but oft a spear,"
with which their womanly instincts
and feelings have been cruelty pierced.
Laboring under the greatest discourage
ments, these humanitarians yet refuse
to be discouraged, and, though COM
PEELED by poverty to say to these erring,
remOrseful creatures: "House or home
have 1 none to offer you," they have
supplemented the sorrowing declaration
by saying: "Such as have l give unto
you," and, in many instances, have the
words of sympathy and exhortation
which have followed fallen seemingly
at least upon good ground, and will in
due time return an abundant harvest of
useful deeds. Working without money,
without political power, and of course
without influence which only one or
both of these bring, for class socially
ostracized and created by the unbridled
passions of men, who have both power
and money, is task so herculean in its
nature, so humiliating in its require
ments, that naught but the loving
kindness and tender mercy that exists
in woman's soul would dare to brave.
Whether attempting to rescue q
young girl from the wiles of married
libertine, asking the purse-holders of
the race for money to pay rent upon a
tenement which shall serve the holy
purpose of house of refuge, or solicit
ing so-called followers of the lowly
Nazarene to give work and shelter and
aid to victims of misfortune, women
have encountered a staring, grinning
ghoul upon every corner, phantom,
intangible yet real, that will not down,
and, as if in very mockery of the name
they have assumed, its name stands out
in staring letters which these noble
Helpers" cannot misunderstood, and
it is 'Helplessness."
The press in this city and in various
other localities has, however, light
ened the discouragements under which
the "Helpers" work by encouraging
words, sample of which we quote as
follows. The Daily Olympian of recent
date says:
The force of circumstances leads to a false
step, and the victim is as effectually excluded
from the world s4hough the clods of the val
ley marked her last resting-place. To admit
that such a ban is necessary to keep woman
hood pure, is to place but little trust in human
nature. 1t is a cruel mandate, unworthy the
age. Thousands would reform if but a reason
able opportunity could be afforded whereby
virtuous life could atone for the errors of the
past The efforts of the women of Portland
should meet with the cordial endorsement Of
everybody who expects salvation on the other
shore.
From a charitable and welI-consid-
cred article in the last issue of the Ad-
Uocate, We clip the subjoined:
noble "Band of Helpers" has already beer
organized, and are ready TO help in the refor
nation Of all those who would return to the
walks of virtuous life. But these Helpers
need help themselves in furnishing the meanl
necessary TO erect home and be fully pre-
pared to take care Of all fallen women who re
bent of their ways and turn to the Lord Jesu
Christ.
We met one of this "Band" upon the
street a few days since, and, upon in
quiry relative to the success that they
were meeting with, she replied: "W,
have no home to offer these women, NJ
money with which to supply thei
pressing needs, so we can only say t,
them, if you will turn from the error o
your ways, we will do our best toward
procuring you work, and will stand by
you in your honest endeavors to reform
Men stand up for men, and we pledg,
ourselves to stand up for women wht
will show desire to quit life of SIM
This is WELLS indeed essentiaI-but i
it is neither promise of food nor clothes
These demands must be met, and tn
poor creature, young, perhaps, will
life all before her, and loathing in he
heart for the vile traffic in dishonor il
which she is engaged, turns again t.
the only refuge left her-the brothel.
We trust that this subject may be ag
itated until it reaches toe hearts an
pockets of the men of wealth in ou
city, who, while they believe in
Saving their souls and winters pork
With the least possible outlay of salt an
sanctity,"
yet, where all the congregation can see
drop liberal contributions in the mis-
sionary box, and forget the objects G
charity calling loudly for their assist
ance in the highways and by-ways G
the city.
There is a naner Ouhlishad of rh,.