, 1889-04-28
MEETING.
Reports of Officers of the Ladies' Re-
lief Association.

NJ tHc annual meeting OF the Ladies
Relief Association, held Thursday last,
the following reports were read:
To the President and Members Of The
Ladies' Rehcf Association. LADIES:
With to day our association end its
third year of existence, and It is with
great pleasure | am enabled to submit the
following report: In reviewing the work
done in the past year | cannot better
consolidate the years record than under
the one word progress. The term is
rightly applied; progress not only in an
increased membership, progress not sim
ply in power, but progress in all that goes
TO make up the association; one of greater
benefit 10 those whom it has under its
care. Although we have aided many
more families this year than last, and
have extended our work, still the expen,
diture of money has been $500 less than
last years expenditure, arguing possibly
a keener appreciation on the part of the
visitors of just what each applicant to be
in need OF. The cause of charity Is young
in our midst, but it is developing with
encouraging rapidity.
We have held twelve regular monthly
meetings, with an average attendance of
fourteen. We have now an active mem
bershIp of forty one, an increase of six
teen over last vear. Upwards Of forty
families have be n under the care Of the
association in contrast TO the twcnty-six
aided last year. Some of these have
been assisted by loans of mony, or EN-
ployment beelng secured for them, and
Others by supplying them with provisions,
coal and clothing.
The usual large hearted co operation
with, and the response to the request
made for provisions, clothing, etc. by the
benevolent people of the city. made it
possible for the committee appointed by
the association to send into fifty homes
the good cheer which would have been
wanting at Christmas tide. The happy
faced children seen by, and the warm
grasp of the hand given to, the carriers of
these gifts gave evidence of the thank
fulness with which they were accepted.
The matter of the best method BY
which money could be secured has been
considered, which resulted in securing
funds by solicitation from the business
men of the city. And the open-handed
manner in which the solicitors were re-
ceiyed determined this to be a better
way OF receiving support as opposed to
the entertainment plan. Added to the aid
given by the business men, we have to
acknowledge the liberal gift OF the Roman
Catholic society of 800 to this associa-
ton.
There has been one drawback to the
accomplishment Of the most good by the
association, namely, n possible oversight
OF the Importance OF unity. Conserva-
ton is preservation from waste or friction,
the keeping intact of that which has been
established. Just as the spokes hold the
rim Of a wheel in its proper relation to
the hub, so this association has endeav-
ored to exert ar influence in keeping all
the local societies of each church together
within the rim of one confederation. How
long do you suppose it would be without
this hub and the strong lines radiating
from it, before the association would he
solit up Into kindling wood of numerous
small Independence and this delightful
unity in which there is so much of our
strength be lost2 And right here we
woul say that, as an association, we havc
no creed and denounce all attempt at
proselyting and any worker so doing
separates herself from the association in
not having the spirit of the society. The
progress that has attended the work of
the association has shown itself in the
organization Of a sewing school for the
children of the city, and the success
which has attended it lately in
more effective work done, increase
in attendance and general improvement
in sewing and in the personnel of the
school under the wise superintendent of
Mr.. o. F. Cowhiek, demonstrates clearly
the wisdom of institutiDg it. The at
tendance has increased from fifteen to
fifty nine. The school is supported by
the Ladies Relief Association, and by
private contribution. With this exten.
fion of work the board of managers urge
an added conscienciousness in, and faith
fulncss to, the work allotted each worker
in the sewing school or association, lest
the extended work suffer. With greater
opportunities there must be greater faith
~fulness. Respectfully submitted,
EDYTH |. MASON, Secretary.
l. .-,,,rf, $40