The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-09-22
womans, Temperance Society.

Temperance Society was held on Saturday
afternoon, Sept. 20th at the library room of
the Young Mems Christian Association. The
annual reports of the Secretary and Treasurer
were read and accepted.
The following is an abstract:
CORRESPONDING sEcRETARY's REPORT.
Among our discouragements would come the
closing of the Coffee House; and by those who
never extended encouragement or sympathy to
il. this event was hailed with pleasure. But
we remember the earnest women who, when
our society was first started, wanted practical
work in the temperance field, and who felt
that here was their opportunity; we remember
the number of young men who, because the
Coffee House was popular, were glad to seek
the helm and protection of its room; we think
of the poor who were helped, the unfortunate
who were Euplifted, and OF the many ways in
whicd it enabled us to extend helping haad.
And last. but not least, westhink of the en-
couraging presence of some OF our patrons who
stood by us to the end. So it was with sorrow
ing hearts that we closed this branch OF our
work, although it was no longer necessity
We knew that its mission had not been In
rain and that we had so proved our prices to
he legitimate that there are now, at least five
eating rooms on similar plan, where good
food can be obtained at a low rate, without the
temptation of stimulants. And besides the
direct good which it had accomplished, we
two wears. to establish the other benevolent
missions eff the society. In closing the Coffee
House. all means of income ceased, ana put
for the patronage of generous pupllc at the
time of the Carnival" we should have been
greatly embarrassed in all our efforts to do
good.
At the Friendly Inn we found opportunity
aud necessity for active work, but here we
have met with new difficulty. The better
class of men, who had become the victims OF
intemperance had self respect to ne consult .1
and the same reason which led them to the
Coffee House kept them now from coming to
tbe Inn. 1t required unusual efforts to keep
restraining influence over some OF tnese, put
Good work for them has been accomplished.
At the Friendly Inn the reformer or the
skentic can have ocular evidence that there is
an opportunity for active temperance work IN
Portland In our dealings with the lntem-
nerate. we have found that the reform must be
gradual even as we believe the downfall to
have BEEN We believe that there is no person
SO degraded that he cannot be influenced and
helped by the surroundings OF clean, COM
Portable home, while to many man the
knowledge thest een,o o1aa-1ares .s,af'I
does right or wrong" has been powerful u
imnulse for good We have great reason to
feel encouraged when we think of the unfor-
innate men who one year ago were seldom
"soher' hut now, united to their 1amllleS, are
respectable citizens; of the number VINO, IL
NOT cured, have been strengthened In rlght
purpose, and of whom we are nopelal, anu fo .,
the tsCod speed" which we have received from
out of the city, as they write OF the help winch
I ME- INN has been to them or theirs. The ques-
Eon is frequently asked, does the Inn pay?
and we answer unhesitatingly. no, not imam
cially; but who can estimate IN money Nalue
the difference to the world between respect
able man and a drunkard. The Inn must be
recognized as a charity by the public For
when these unfortunate men without money
and for the time unable to work. seek the Inn
for it's protection and help, we cannot turn
them away. and we have no fund to draw
upon. ono,,od
at the Friendly Inn where three times week
fine Diet Mission has served its patients Be-
ginning with small number, the llst gradual
" increased during the year, until III Marcn
there were thirty applicants day. 1t IS re,
nnired that each person, before being entered
on the regular list as a patient, snail De en-
dorsed by some physician, and then the case
is investigated by the VISITING commlttee
which consists of four ladies III each ward
Tickets are furnished by these ladies, which
must be presented at the kitchen at a stated
hour on Tuesday, Thursday and SATURDAY
The list of articles distributed consists Oh
broths beef-steak, rice, oatmeal, ofeaa, mllk,
suoar. and tea with fruit and berries III thelr
season. The cooking is under the direction oil
the Society. and the special needs OF each case
attended to- In giving these outlines OF this
branch of our work, we can convey no idea oi
the ministrations of these ladies in the MONIES
of these unfortunate invalids, or the comfort
and strength which the nonrishlng lood mas
brought them. o
During the wear more than 200 women and
children have been cared for at the Station
Mission: and when these unfortunate ones
leave for any destination, the JAIL the street,or
home, that care does not cease, put reaches me-
on with all the expedients that woman's wit
can devise, and woman's faith and prayer can
attain. to win and to save each one. Some VINO
have not been permanently benehtted, nave at
least been induced to Have, for the time, some
regard for decency. Some have seemed 10
weld to good influences for little while only;
Others have been induced to leave their evil
associations and practices and, SO far, have per-
severed in living moral lives. And we wish to
make thankful mention OF the fact that some
of those for whom, last year, we hoped almost
against hope, are. now living upright lives In
respectable homes. One such instance offsets
many discouragements, and helps in the bear
ing of many burdens which sometimes almost
break down the courage OF WORKERS III thls
mission. IT.. olI;ro+;o,,
IN those young ladies who have SO faithfully
90 f----e>~l Flower Mission through
the summer. The flowers they have distribute
ed have been gratefully received and nave car
ried their own message of hope and cheer to
MANY invalids, and to many dreary homes.
The question is sometimes asked why such
different branches of work are connected, and
what relation they all have to the temperance
work If we could give special cases we could
easily show how one effort has led to the nee
essity for another. 1t has been said by some OF
the workers in this society that they have yet
to find one case of restitution or OF crime, that
has not resulted directly or Indirectly from IN
temperance. So the different missions Oh tnls
society have not been taken up according to
definite plan, but they have shaped themselves
as one necessity has followed another.
The society render hearty thanks to the T.
M. G. A., who have provided room for the
meetings Of the society ever since It's organlee
Congress Hall by the Flower Mission; to those
newspapers which are gratu'tously sent to the
Friendly Inn, the PRESS, Argus, transcript,
Zion's Herald and Cumberland Globe; to the
city marshal and deputies for great kindness
and courtesy towards the Station Mission; and
to all the patrons of the Carnival OF Authors,
who contributed so generously OF time. and
money to make it in itself successful, and also
SO large financial help to the society
We wish to make earnest appeal Tor what we
need in the prosecution of our work. We
need money, and we believe the people OF
Portland cannot afford to let these charities
suffer for the lack of it, But we need more SYM
pathy and cooperation. We think our basis
is broad enough and the demand sufficiently
varied. to meet the desires Of all who have
mind to the wock" Any suggestion as to a
better or surer way to accomplish the ends Tor
which we work will be gladly received. We shall
also be glad to have any one investigate the
workings of our society in any branch; and IN
answer to personal inquiry, the work can be
more fully explained and particular instances
can be cited as it wonld, manifestly, be unjust
to do here.
TREASURERS REPORT.
Receipts
Cash on hand Sept "a. for Coffee House. s 337. 63
Received Coffee House .................. 2955.22
Gift Coffee House ,..... .............. 10000
Received Friendly Inn. 2462.37
Carnival. ...... ...... 1615.O0
Friends week. City Hall ....... 124.8S
Observation-Disclosures. SO. 1850