Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-12-12
Benevolent Aid Association

The first annual meeting of the Sandy
Spring Branch of the Montgomery County
Benevolent Aid Society was held at the
Sandy Spring Lyceum, on Monday, No
vember the Sd. The following extract from
the report of the Secretary, Anna McF.
Stabler, shows what has been done by the
Association during the past year,
1--WE held our first annual meeting for
work on the 18th of November, 1878, and
our last on the 18th of March, 1879. Dur
ing these four months we held nine regular
meetings We cut out, completed and dis
tributed one hundred and sepen aeD gar
nlents of various sizes and styles. We had
donated to us eighty-three partly worn gar
ments, most of them in good repair, those
needing it being well mended before they
were distributed.
We also had given to us two bed ticks,
four good quilts, lining for three quilts, two
comforts, twenty-five yards of canton-ian-
mel, sixteen yards of substantial worsted
goods, 80 worth of -four, and $4694 in
money, the proceeds of an entertainment
given by the Sandy Spring 'Sociable' for the
benefit of this Association. This is, of course,
only a memorandum of the work that was
done publicly by the members; but who
can tell of the many garments given away
and the deeds of kindness done, that posi-
bly, might never have been thought of, save
for the knowledge of the need for them
gained through this organization.
Our visiting committee certainly did great
good, and they had a wide field in which to
labor. Many homes were made more COM
Portable last winter, and many sick were
supplied with the plain necessares of life,
which were more thankfully received by
them than earth's choicest luxures by others
who never stop to ask from whom they re-
ceive their many blessings. Among other
hearts made glad was that of -, whose
house was burned to the ground in mid
winter. She had card written to our
President containing her thanks to all the
ladies who had kindly aided her, and in her
own language had made her happy again.
The boys who were clothed and lunched by
the Society, in order that they might attend
school, We're certainly grateful. They gave
but little trouble and learned rapidly
During the past Summer, through the eff
forts OF the teachers of the Sunday School,
at Ashton, these same boys have been per-
suaded to attend it. There were number
of other special cases that were helped dur
ing the year"
Richard T. Bentley, Treasurer, reported
during the past year the sum of $92.4 40, d.
vlded as follows, from subscribers 1885,
from donation ~ and from the entertain
ment of the 'Sociable' $46.94
! There was expended for benevolent objects
| S77,32, leaving balance in the Treasury of
| $15.12"
The following officers were elected for the
ensuing year: President, Caroline III. Mil
Ter; First Vice-P President, Anna L. Moore !;
Second Vice-President, VIM. H. Farquhar !;
Treasurer, Richard r. Bentley Secretary,
Anna McF. Stabler.
The following extract from the address Of
the President, Caroline II. Miller, shows the
spirit and object of the Society:
at seems to be a good thing that an organ
lied charity should be established in this
community, We have associations to i'd
vance almost every other interest and why
not one to see if there are not those among
us who are sick and suffering and in sore
need Of our help? those whom it must be
our bounden duty to help?
1t is written in one of the beautiful Psalms
Blessed is he that considereth the poor, the
Lord will deliver him in time of trouble,
the lord will preserve him and keep him
alive; and he shall be blessed upon the
earth And, dear friends how constant is our
cry for help, the most favored among us
Listen again to the record, "When evil
cometh upon us and we stand in Thy pres.
ence, and cry upon thee in our affection,
then thou wilt hear and help" And how
often is this help rendered to us by our fell
low creatures, inspired by the Good Father,
but performed by his human instruments
Then hail to our Society and God speed
but let US remember to be vigilant and care
ful, and to ask for the blessing and take it
with the gift wherever our steps may lead
us this Winter among the dark, sad places
of the suffering poor"
The Society meets at the Lyceum in the
afternoons Of the first and third Tuesdays in
each month, and all persons interested are
expected to attend.