The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-05
THE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.
Annual Meeting and Election Of Onicers.
Reports of the President and Treasurer

Reports Of the President and Treasurer
The annual meeting of the Ladies'
Benevolent Society was held in the Y.
M. c. A. building Tuesday afternoon
at 4 o'clock. The devotional exercises
were conducted by the Rev. r. A. Will
lis. The following reports were submit
ted, after which plans for another
years work were discussed and de-
cided upon:
PRESIDENTS REPORT.
Ladies of the Benevolent Society:
We meet in annual session for the
third time since the purchase Of the
property on the corner of Ninth and
Princess streets for a home for old
ladies. During the twelve months end
ing at this time, nothing of an event.
full nature has occurred, yet there are
matters of sufficient Importance to at
tract your attention, and to demand
your interest. To my MIND there is
even more that is worthy of your earn
est consideration than at any time
since we entered the new Home. Dur
ing the winter We found it necessary to
dispense with the services of a matrOn
on account of lack of funds. 1t was
decided to try the plan of having the
inmate (whose health would justify
such a course) keep the house alter
nately. We find that this method
works very well, as each one strives to
emulate the others in the matter OF
economy, the result being that the bills
are noticeably smaller, and we save
the matron's salary.
Notwithstanding this, / think we
would better secure the services Of a
permanent matron whenever we can
afford it. Last spring we received two
new inmates, one from the Presbyte-
rian church, the other from the Meth
Odist, making at that time ten in
mates. One Of them having recently
withdraw from the shelter Of the
Home for reasons satisfactory to all
concerned, and Mrs. Simpson having
died this fall, We stand now so far as
denomination goes, three Presbyterians,
three MethOdists and two Episcopali-
ans, making in all, eight inmates. We
ave been enable to Duild two large
piaZZas and two complete bathrooms
on the house. This it is needless to say,
was a necessity, and is thoroughly en-
joyed and appreciated by the old ladies.
We feel under great obligations to all
who helped us procure these much
needed conveniences, and particularly
to one family whose liberal gift of
800 enabled us to complete the work
without any delay.
I must confess that I do not feel as
much pride in this addition to the
house as 1 would have done if it repre-
scented the work and interest of the
membership at large, or even a ma
.jority of them, but such it grieves me
to say was not the case.
With the exception of the voluntary
gifts all the money was raised by Mrs.
Dudley Burkhimer and one other per-
son. Mrs. Toon kindly accompanied
one of the ladies through a morning Of
this work, which was a great deal for
her to do in her feeble state Of health.
1t gives me pleasure to say that two
other ladies were certainly interested,
and I think would have assisted in So
Letting funds had the money not been
raised otherwise.
Others who were appointed to assist
in the work failed US when it was too
late to give up the undertaking.. 1t is
only just that special mention should
be made of Mrs. Burkhimer in. his
connection, as she did. very faithfully
work.
[ have never felt so much reluctance
in writing q, report of any work as l
feel in trying to write this, mainly be-
cause it is necessarily Of a nature that
may be called censorOus or fault-tnd-
ing.
While I disclaim any such spirit, I
feel it is my duty to speak plainly of
what has caused me many a heart
ache, and many times tired hand and
tired feet.
Some of you will understand that I
refer to the utter Indifference of the
membership with but few exceptions)
to the work of keeping up the Home.
During this summer / have not had
a single member to ask me how mat
tiers were going on, how the money was
coming in, or anything in connection
with the Home, the
fact that Mrs. Simpson was i'll for sew
eral months, and for six months or
more was compelled to have an at
tendant night and day.
For the last few weeks previous to
her death she was as helpless as an
infant, and it was with the greatest
difficulty. that we procured, proper per-
sons to assist in the nursing. There
were times when 1 felt it was more re-
Sponsibility than n ought to nave,
and but for the urgency and necessities
of the case 1 would almost have giVen
up.
However, the Lord in His mercy pro
yided a way, and we have the con-
seriousness of knowing she was tender
ly cared for, and everything lone fol-
her comfort that could be done.
There were not more than six visits
to the Home made by members of the
society from the middle OF June to the
LIST of October. 1t is true a great many
were away for the summer, yet a good
ly number remained. l felt when the
October meeting of the board of mana
gers was called, that we would have a
full attendance, and plans for winter
work would be formulated and that
there would be a revival Of interest
but to my sorrow and regret only -four
of us were present, and as five consti.
tuted a quorum, nc meeting could be
held.
We concluded that the ladies were
not quite settled since returning from
their summers trim and Thought DoS1
to call a meeting for the mex week
which was done through the papers.
Two responded to this call. The Sec
rotary telephoned that she would come
if there was any necessity of her doing
50, but was too unwell to come on ar
uncertainty. 1t is impossible for the
work to progress under such unfavor-
able conditions, and surely at heart we
are all interested in this branch of the
Masters work. What can excite OF
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