The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-09-25

under its auspices-a Friendlg Iran The vol
untary and generous service on the part of the
parishes and the many donations carry our re-
ceip,s to very pleasant figure for which in
teresting summary we refer to the report of the
treasurer. Many donations unfortunately
have not been ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS list must be
lost in one of the newspaper Offices bere-bUt
altogether our present outlook is very crafty.
ing, and the interest in this project is not
merely local as different sections of the state
have intimated, while many letters of inquiry
from other states demonstrate its growing rep.
utation abroad. That it has been so successful
with its low prices is the marvel,
The location of the Friendly Inn is as yet un-
determined. Very liberal offers of public houses
have been made on the part of notable gentle
men 10 the community who evidently consider
the Woman's Temperance Society OF Portland
euterprising and equal to large experiment.
The cherished aim has been to do missionary
work in some busy centre, furnishing iodg ngs
as we'll as meals, with perhaps the beginnings
of an industrial home and employ meDt gu,
reau; from which place soup could be dispensed
also during the cold weather, II the people
can be educated I'D to the appreciation OF IL;
what was made and served at noon at the co1ee
house last winter rather went begging among
the poor of the city, for which several reasons
have been suggested 1t was dispensed IN
rather too public place, the children who were
sent for it being insulted by loafers, and the
hours of its distribution, except on Saturday
when there were no schools, not accom- modat-
ing so well the families wanting 1t, but it was
the time when the employees OF the coffee
house could best be spared to carry it out;
with the facilities of Friendly Inn better
arrangement could be made; but evidently the
hygienic value of meat soup with abundant
vegetables is not yet part of American ecu
cation, except where suspicion OF the econ
omy and luxury Of the French cuisine has
dawned upon us.
The Flower Mission which has embellshed
the work of this society is conducted by young
ladies, and has been supported by generous
contributions from the city and country. These
have been very gratefully received by the sick
at their homes, and in the hospitals and asy-
lums while the Coffee House, Fraternity
Bethel, and Jail have been remembered when
possible. The street distribution of loose flow
ers has been very popular; poor children and
those of larger growth, who seldom handle any
being delighted with the novel favor and its
pretty ministry. The most fragrant flowers re-
served for the blind, and their touching appre-
citation of them freight this beautiful charity
with divine significance Is it not better than
''the cup Of cold water?" for beyond material
wants lie the aspirations of the soul, and these
suggest the eternal vision and the undimmed
glory of the new heavens and the new earth.
The Diet Mission with headquarters at the
Coffee House sends interesting reports monthly
of its generous work This is supported by
ladies of leisure and resources who give their
personal attention to the preparation of arti-
cles of diet for the sick, upon recommendation
of physicians, clergymen or other responsible
parties in the community. Nutritious soaps,
fruits. and other delic acies being not only graz
tutoUsly furnished, but distributed with their
own hands to such persons as are thus COM
mended to them.
A year ago last May, Dr. Devoll who had
been looking into the statistics OF the police
record affecting women here, introduced to the
ladies of the society a proposition to petition
the city government to provide woman to
look after those of her own sex who should be
committed to the city station, representing that
there were many within the course OF year
who through drunkenness or other vice or acct
dent or misfortune were carried there IN such
physical condition as to make it imperative
that they should be served after more suitable
and plrilanthropic fashion The petitions were
prepared, but absent or busy in the Centennial
year, the Directors waited for more conven-
lent season to canvass the parishes Tor sigma
lures, and pending this in June OF this year,
the society after comforting with the Mayor and
City Marshal, appointed one to this office who
should enter upon such work by way OF ex"
pertinent, and be paid from our treasury. rms
Mission was initiated in the middle of June,
and for three months ensuing, one hundred or
more, old and young, have been served by this
agent Every expedient which woman's wit
and resolution can extemporize or make avail
able may be brought into requisitlon IN such
work as his It IA trying task, but not with
out its compensations. Meals have been car
ried there for the sick and hungry from the
Coffee House when crackers and water seemed
insufficient, and innumerable garments such as
women and children require could be utilized
there. One soon exhausts ones personal re-
sources ia such a mission, even if depending
upon circle of friends, One young girl four
teen years old, reported mot worth saving
has been secured admission to the Industrial
School at Hallowel, and the Superintendent
says she is doing well, and is an interesting
member of the family there A good many
simply unfortunate have been kindly served by
her, and altogether the work is one which no
statistics can measure nor material facts record.
II has its opportunities, and the blessing of one
"ready to perish is not to be desDsed.
This brief outline of nine months activity on
on the part of this society suggests a record of
which we are not ashamed. The best issues of
such philanthropy cannot be written, but
friends of the cause everywhere are to be con-
graduated upon such declaration OF interest
in this social question on the part of so many
as have given themselves to this enterprise, and
upon the circle brought within the radius of is
best discussion and most delicate and impor-
eant relations. We have been very much lee
tured people on this subject, but not from
woman's standpoint, and no finer audience has
been brought together here than that which
was held to the analysis and sweeping review
of the current phase of this national evil by
table conversions to an active roll in the inter-
est of this cause. Mrs. Churchill and others
have contributed to bring this subject nearer to
the hearts of the people and into true moral po-
stion with its sanctity and Importance; and
Mrs. Woolson with her brilliant lecture upon
the sYo Semitic" gave us early last year gener-
GUS encouragement with its receipts donated to
the coffee house fund.
The differens departments of the work of this
society appeal to any and every inclination to a
practical sympathy with the cause among US.
1t touched everywhere vital relations, and any
expression of personal interest aud favor
may find place for itself. There is work
enough of a devout sort to employ the most
earnest radical who stands pledged to this
cause, and there is quiet service which the
least ambitious may offer without fear of fail
ure, direct and sure; and even the indirect and
not less important pecuniary contribution to
either it's general or separate funds may enlist
all who care for any connection with this re-
sponsible aud humane work. 1t challenges
with confidence and grateful trust the pub
lie favor it has received, and enters upon an
other year with growing expectations and
very glad purpose.
Respectfully submitted.
e. M. TAYLOR,
Cor. Sec. Woman's Temp erance Society.
September, 1877.