The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-02

Is never dppfttidltu ndlL so mucn Dy
the humane individual as after having
its worth as applied to the alienation
OF poverty's suffering. Dollars become
more precious than the rarest Jewels
when you see them bringing life to
hungry children, Frightening faces sad
dened by want. and opening the way
for soul-saving. The Association for
Ministry to the Sick" have accomplish-
ed much with the dollars entrusted to
their stewardship and at present the
faithful visitors are dreadlng the out
look for future work as the lack OF
funds in their treasury means a pitiful
amount OF suffering among the feeble
infants AMI suffering poor OF our city il
sufficient sum is not soon forthcom-
ing. 1t Is hoped the portrayal OF a few
OF the cases under the care OF the So
ciety will result in contributions sent
TO the treasurer. Miss J. r. Tingley. SO
Parade street, city.
In an Interview recently with one of
the visitors the Following cases were
described:
An aged German and wife are living
i'm a small house In the outskirts OF
Providence. the man was lying sick un-
TO death, for whom the doctor ordered
brandy and milk. They had no fire. no
money and little food until this society
sent the needed supplies, which were
received with gratitude. They are still
cared for by the society. The man is
deaf and nearly blind and very feeble.
The old wife keeps the little home a
model OF neatness, and ekcs out their
scanty living by attention TO the little
vegetable garden. The blind and feeble
husband may be seen summer and win-
ter slowing feeling his way about with
market basket on his ar selling the
vegetables. With all their feeble efforts
they would suffer were Il not for the
ministrations OF this society. Shall they
not be cared for from the overfiowing
plenty OF the wealthy OF Providence?
Another sad case fs that OF French
family consisting of a brother and two
sisters, highly cultivated people. TlR
brother and one sister died OF slow con-
sumption. The remaining sister had
been Obliged to use up their combined
earnings and her strength i'm caring for
them but she kept on bravely as teach
er in our public schools until consump-
tion had fully developed; then she was
obliged 10 receive help. The visitor
representing the Ministry TO the Sick, E"
got her into a "consumptiye home" and
saw her comfortably settled for her last
Illness.
In brief. the history OF this practical
institution is as follows: Mrs T.. X.
Buffum, still honorary president. rea-
lizing the needs -ef- -tAe-s4eh poor ssryv
that little was done TO ameliorate their
burden. She enlisted the cooperation
OF few friends. with whom she work
ei quietly, until the calls became too
many and great. and their work was
finally taken up by an Incorporated So
ciety. Each ward is assigned to a
.... l.. IL -
every case i'm her district. These visit
ors meet once a month report the
work. consult and advise in regard TO
difficult cases. One extremely difficult
case reported was of a woman who had
been wealthy, her wealth having been
obtained in the most dispicable manner.
She was found in misery, filth and dis
ease, was cold. hungry and friepdless
and so loathsome that il was almost
unsafe to stand by her bedside. She
was learning that "the wages Of sin
are death" She was helped in every
possible way by the society.
But there are brighter pictures be-
cause not darkened- -Sia--one such
is that of bright and loving girl who
was robbed of fseher and mother by
death in one short month. Upon the
solicitations OF her young and brave
boy-lover she married and soon after
tion. In spite OF his earnest efforts,
continuous employment was denied
him. until winter came with it's calls
for fuel and warm clothing The visitor
found the young wife delicate, looking
forward to the need of = doctors care,
nurse, clothing for a LITTLE one, etc.
Employment was found for the hus-
band. needed furniture was given by
friends and the necessaries provided
for the young Wife.
In the light OF such practical work is
it To be wondered at that we are desir-
Gus of sufficient funds TO prosecute itf
"A man il worth just as much as -
gives to the world. though he counts his
millions boarded away" II is right for
each individual 10 protect himself and
family from poverty1s distress, but how
many there are who have more than
sufficient for all possible need, yet new
er give for the poor?