New-York tribune., 1895-12-29
HOSPITAL SLNDAY.

We feel sure that our readers will need no
moro than a reminder that to-day is Hospital
Sunday TO insure their responding generously to
the appeal Of the Hospital Saturday and Sunday
Association of New-York The idea OF making
a special appeal at the close of every year in
behalf of the hospitals was first suggested, we
believe in 1873. 1t IS not, however, original in
this country. 1t has been In successful opera
ton in England for many years, until now about
fifteen hundred churches of various dcnomina
tlons, as well as Jewish synagogues. take up
collections for the hospitals. In st. Paurs Cathe
dral and Westminster Abbey, in London, SER
vices are continued throughout the day with a
collection at each service The Queen is the
patron Of the movement. and the Lord Mayor
OF London is the treasurer. Last year the total
contributions in London amounted TO about
quarter Of a million dollars, against $5S,20S %
contributed from all sources in this city, which,
PERHAPS may be regarded az fair showing for
New-YOrk when its relative size, compared with
London, is taken into account. But we are sure
that we speak for all generous-hcarted New
Workers when we say that the British metrop0-
lis must not b. allowed to set the pace in this
most benefcent movement. Our citizens have
repeatedly shown in many ways that they are
fully alive 10 the duty Of service 10 humanity
which with many Of them is not so much duty
as a privilege They have built and endowed
great philanthropc institutions of all kinds that
minister TO almost every form OF suffering and
need The hospitals of NewYork alone, to speak
Of nothing else, with their fine equipment and
enlightened methods Of treating disease, are a
practical proof OF the city's deep interest in this
important branch Of helpful service.
Nevertheless, our hospitals are not supported
rs they ought 10 be when take into cOnsid-
Grafton the extent of the work they are set
To do and the wealth Of the city. Many of
them are sadly in need of money to improve
their equipment and increase the efficiency Of
their service while there Is perhaps not one OF
them that Is not called on to treat many more
free patients than the state Of its income would
Justify The hospitals do not object to this free
treatment. though in many cases people take
advantage Of It who could easily afford TO pay
The hospital authorities gladly recognize that
they are the almoncrs of the whole community
in ministering to those who are sick and unable
to pay for medical treatment They would not
shift from their shoulders any Of the burden Of
service TO the sick and afflicted heavy though
il often is But they do ask, and they think they
have right to ask, that the people Of the city,
whose phlanthropic impulses they are expected
to carry into effect. shall give them the money
needed to do the work. 1t Is 10 bring this fact
home 10 every citizen, whether Christian, jew
or Agnosilc that Hospital Saturday and Sun
day was established The association now em-
braces thirty-cight hospitals, covering every
branch of medical and surgical science, and the
rtbr hat ,xlI ha ms do will
ba divided among these thirty eight hospitals on