The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-12-11
MARTHA WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
The Annual Report and Election of
Officers.
The annual meeting of the society was held yes
terday.

The annual meeting of the society was held yes
terday
sEcRETARY's REPORT.
Before entering upon the usual subjects which
necessarily belong to this report, 1t Is fitting that
special mention should be made of the loss the
society has sustained during the year, by the re
former presidents of the society," Mrs. Benjamin
Kingsbury who for more than twenty years was
its esteemed and highly hOnored presiding onlcer
Mrs H. R. A. Humphrey was elected her sue
cessor, and filled the position OF president Win
efficiency and devotion TO It's cause until iarilng
health obliged her to relinquish its cares. Botn
were earnest workers and were among the earll-
est members of the society They have gone hence,
leaving their places to be filled by others, who will
do well if they are accounted worthy of those who
have gone before. We shall also miss from our
number the familiar presence OF another OF our
old and valued members, Mrs. Eliza L. Whitney,
who since our last annual meeting has passed on
to the life beyond.
AS one after another of our members are pass
ing away, may 1t stimulate us to labor with great
er energy for the benefit of suffering humanity.
But little idea of the actual work accomplished
can be gathered from the short sketch included In
annual reports little can be sad that is new,
The work of one year will essentially very nearly
resemble that OF another still We thlnk Drle1
reference to the work achieved through the year
will be admissible.
During the year there has been distributed to
those whose condition merited the benefits OF It's
charities the following articles:
143 yards wo0len dress goods, 48 yards cotton
tlannel 115 yards wool flannel, 483 yards print,
yards cambric, 16 yards woolen cloth for boys
wear, 81 yards gingham 16 yards woolen shirt
ing, 98 pairs boots and shoes, 10 pairs rubbers,
IA pairs hose, 8 pairs mittens, 30 ready made
new garments, 1865 secondhand garments, z
bonnets and hats, comforters, quilts, blank
etS shawl, l cloak felt skirts and $9o In
money.
Compared with other associations of larger re-
sources this may appear triing still we nave rea-
son to know that these gifts accompanied as they
have been by kind and encouraging words OF the
visitor, have made many sad heart glad ana IN
fused new hope into more than one despohdlng
soul.
There has been held since our last annual re:
port was presented, 80 weekly meetings, al OF
which have been particularly interesting and un-
usually well attended; the largest number present
at any one meeting was 49,. The average attend
ance for the year exceeds that of any other ON
record. We are also happy to report STEADY In
crease of membership.
In view of the fact that we are now approach
ing that part of the year, when the heaviest TAX
upon our time and means occurs and that the work
to be carried on successfully must nave 1undS, we
therefore look to friends for aid, and trust they
will extend such help as may be In their power.
The appeals to our friends have always been
met with generous response. We doubt not i
will be the same now and that our treasury VIII
be abundantly replenished
For the statement of the receipts and expend-
lures for the year you are referred TO our treas
urer's report.
We are now making preparation for our annual
sale, and any contributions OF money, goods, use
full and fancy articles would be thankfully re-
ceived, -,
In closing this report we would again extend
the thanks of the society to each and all who nave
III any way renQertu dSSlStduCo SituCi Wy uVno
tions of money, clothing or material for clothing
or by individual efforts ia our behalf.
The daily papers are especially entitled 10 our
thanks for the many cOurteSieS received at tnelr
hands Respectfully submitted.
SARAH j. BEALE, Sec
Portland, Dec. 10th, 1885.
TREAsURER's REPORT.
The Martha Washington Society in account
with L. C. Dodge, Treasurer, from Nov. %, 1884
to Dec 10, 1885:
For cash paid per order president. t.........$406 II
For cash balance in treasury .............. 1910
.S421.37