The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-04
A WORK OF CHARITY.
TIVE GREAT GOOD BEING DONE
HERE BY THE CITY MISSION.
uhis "a One of the Monuments OF when
Richmond s. Justly Proud-sketch Oh
What the Institution is Doing.

Richmond's charities are among her
,roudest monuments, and in all the sew
oral institutions meeting special needs
and working among special classes none
fnterferes with or occupies thc field Of the
City Mission.
This charity is the oldest IN the city
and works on very safe and practical
lines.
II deals with the most abject poverty
and is the friend Of the people VINO are
the poorest Of the poor.
Its objects address themselves at once
20 the favorable consideration OF every
humane mind. The material upon when
81 works Is as a rule, beyond the care ol
Church and other charitable socleues'
in fact, none are too low 10 forfeit It's
watchful care. $50
nriafion bv the city, the Mission IS sup
ported entirely by voluntary contribu-
tions. and while the needs OF the Mission
are steadily growing, their resources are
falling off,
Should YOU desire to do that good which
brings its richest reward in the knowl-
edge that human suffering has oeeh re-
lleved. then follow this little sketch.
The City Mission was established htteen
years ago, taking the place of the OLD be-
ucvolent Association. 10 was started py
1--WE ladies. with the late Mrs. Rebecca
Patton at it's head
IL first established q sOup-house on
Franklin street Just below the Exchange
Hotel. Gradually its influence spread.
and when its purposes became Wen
known charitable people came forward
and contributed regularly to the cause:
The city authorities, recognizing the
good It was doing. made an annual ap-
preparation towards its work, and they
now receive 500 and 1000 loads OF gas
coke each yearsrom that source.
Mrs. A. Y. S6kes is now president OF
The CITY Mission. and she is assisted by
Mr.. Bagby. Mrs ]. b. Pace. Mrs
Thomas Evans, Miss Horne and other
yice-presidents. Mrs. John Addison is
secretary. Mrs. John II. Claiborne treas
urer. and NIrss Bette Ellyson and Mrs
Iyndham coal committee. and Mrs. Il.
Colston and Mrs. +. Martin purchasing
committee.
The Mission has sixty-five regular dis
trict visitors. who untiringly work from
one end Of the city TO The other. The
most perfect system prevails, ana the
city is divided into number Of districts,
each with its committee Of visitors.
The UrSt assurance Il QOIOI " Shdti by
desires is TO know that whatever he gives
is well and honestly applied.
The primary rule OF the City Mission
IS to never dispense charity until the per-
son has been visited and his condition as
certained. Last year 200 persons were
helped The cash donations received
amounted to S1,l75. This, with liberal
donations Of groceries and clothing from
merchants and others was the means
of alleviating this large amount OF suf-
ferlng.
Other charities have entertainments Of
various kinds for raising money, but 1t
has been the policy Of the City Mission
since the days of Mrs. Patton to look
only to voluntary contributions for its
support.
The treasury is now very much de-
pleted, and the amount Of suffering so
great that The Times is asked to present
their cause 10 the public.
The Mission has list Of regular sub
scribers. who recognize it as the best
means through which to dispense their
charity, but with the organization OF
various other institutions these contribu-
lions have in many cases been divided,
and their resources thus curtailed. The
liberal donations of provisions and cloth
Ing are also great help.
Mrs. Colston speaks in the most COM
Jewish merchants Of this city, naming
one firm who had given as high as $3.50
jn dry goods per year. The first contri-
button Of the season was a check from
well-known Hebrew citizen for so
II is proper here TO state that the late
Or. Booth was always a warm friend Of
the City Mission. and in the year 1880
rendered the ladies. free Of rent, the
house No. 1O6 north Fourteenth street, to
~ l,xr oH
poor. At his death ne requested I'm his
will that the use OF this house should be
continued TO the ladies so long
as was practicable. The request
Of the charitable father has
been most rigidly carried out to this time
by his son, DR.. e. G. Booth, of Carriers
Grove. who, like his lamented father, is
a model of Christian charity and benevo-
lence.
matron Is employed at the Mission
rooms who distributes rations to the poor
on orders from the district visitors, or
when for coal, signed by the chairman
of the coal committee and countersgned
BY the visitors and the person benefited.
A sewing school is also conducted here
by ten lady teachers. who instruct sixty
five girls This is under the management
of Mrs. George Clifford.
A prayer meeting is held there every
itNd5 liOitllnS, COHuuNleQ ny the lduleS,
which is attended by the lame, the halt
and the blind
The rations issued to sick persons con-
sist Of a half pound Of sugar, two ounces
of tea, one-half pound of rice and one
half pounds of crackers. There is given
one ration daily TO each sick person
found in a family.
The City Mission is an excellent pro-
lection against imposters, and It is not
fnfrequently the case that charitably dis
posed citizens inquire of the Mission as
20 the needs of persons who have asked
them for help. They at once dispatch a
member of the visiting committee to
make inquiry. and often have to report
that the parties are dissolute and unde-
serving
The rescue of children from horrible
associations and the finding Of homes
better atmosphere is another branch of
this work
The city Mission Is a practical charity.
putting its limited means where It will
DO the most good. Those who desire to
10 a good work and are doubtful OF the
best means of accomplishing it win find
safe and sure method through the hands
OF the City Mission.
Money, clothing and provisions can all
be made useful. Donations sent 10 Mrs.
Bagby, at the Auditors office. in the
ftate Capitol building, or left at The
Times office will be promptly turned over
Go the treasurer OF the City Mission.
THE VIRGINIA MILITIA