The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-11

mems City Missionary society was helo
in the Parish House OF Grace church Al
$3.50 o'clock yesterday afternoon with q
full attendance of officers and members
OF the board. together with many inter
ested friends and several members of the
clergy
The meeting WAS called to order by the
president Miss Susan G. Sawyer and
annual reports followed with an address
by Bishop Mcvickar
The meeting opened with Scripture
reading and prayer by Rev. Mr.. Smith,
assistant rector OF Grace church The
record OF the semi-annual meeting. held
in the Benehcent church chapel last
spring. was read by the secretary. Miss
Bertha Smith. This was followed by
the secretarys annual report, also by
Miss Smith
The report gave a comprehensive idea
OF the great work accomplished by the
society In this city during the past year,
and the same was In part as follows:
sEcRETARY's REPORT
This month of November rounds out
another year OF effort, and we feel one
OF great usefulness as well. The poor
we have always with us. and the great
their relief becomes not only advisable,
but obligatory.
1T has been said that the aim 10 set
before ourselves In trying to aid one
another is TO give that aid under condi-
tions which will harm no mans self
respect. and which will teach the less
fortunate to help themselves as their
strongest brothers -de--
This is precisely what the Womens
City Missionary society endeavors TO do.
In most cases persons are assisted 10
obtain employment, that they may be-
come self-supporting, or as nearly so as
they are capable Of
This isnot always possible. as OF course
we have many calls where there is sick
ness. old age. and not few where In
capacity makes IL impossible. For these
persons other means OF relief must be
provided. Either they are placed in
suitable institutions or. as IN some cases.
brought 10 our attention this past year.
relatives are found who will help the
less fortunate OF their kindred. 1t is a
noticeable and gratifying fact that the
poor themselves are surprisingly heInf,,l
and generous TO their relatives and To
their neighbors also. Many a case OF
self-denial has been observed by our
chairman as they have been from house
10 house In their ministrations. The
human virtues still abound. though per-
are miseries. but they are borne patient-
~; sin and folly. but offset many times
by courage and fidallty
The amount expended for grocery or
oers curing the last six wears has grad
uaay r decreased. and although the ex-
penses or the laundry have increased
somewhat. we feel encouraged. inasmuch
as the extra amount has been paid 10
women FOR honest labor
We also wish at this time 10 extend
our sincere thanks to the overseer OF
the poor the Charitable Fuel society the
tnseediework re guild. the district nurses.
me providence Society for Organizing
Cnarity. the Union for Christian Wore
and the Childrens' mission of the JInita-
San cnurches. for the many favors done,
garments given and services performed
OTHER REPORTS MADE
The report OF the treasurer. Miss Lucy
- - Sarpsn,er. followed that OF the secre-
iiaary and showed the Following figures for
$5l6.2O; balance, slz39e
.hr aas tfeasurer's report also showed that
fund the sum of $1,000 for a lot for the
proposed laundry on Clifford street and
tnat tnat SUBSCRIPTIONS had been received for
the building, amounting TO sl6274 The
report stated also that plans for the new
building call for 5000 the present need
therefore. being In the neighborhood OF
WORK OF THE LAUNDRY.
The report OF the laundry committee
Mas next presented by Mrs. NJ H.
Cheney. the chairman OF that COMMITTEES
Ihe report which gives very clear idea
OF this branch OF the work Of the NVo-
mans City Missionary society follows in
part: ~
The society having long realized the
necessity OF some Industrial relief for un-
skilled women who were destitute onened
laundry I'm August. 1897. The frst
years receipts were sl993. So Tho pnt
ronage has slowly increased until last
year the receipts were $sIssbg I'm 1897
- the amount paid In wages 10 the wo-
men was sli07.66: In 1901 -O2 the amount
was sZSe2.of The aggregate receipts dur
ing the nVe years were sl5,00O.s6. and the
aggregate wages sl0.43397. As the usual
wages are one dollar per day, this repre-
sents 1888 days work. or more than 80
years.
The laundry gave employment to 81
different women during the last year. As
our accommodations are limited ten or
tweNe only can be employed az one time
The greater number work perhaps three
days week. one or two as long as we
have work and some only one day We
give preference TO women who have farnf
Hes depending upon them / scarcely
need 10 say that the work is all done
by hand. consequently our prices must be
somewhat higher for plain pieces than
In steam laundries: but our fancy work
and gentlemens linens are about the
same as In the better class of laundries
These women are very cheerful and so.
cial while they work. particularly do they
enjoy the lunch hour. when they gather
m groups and chat over their cup OF tea
which We provide for them. The spirit |
OF helpfulness which they display towards
each other is really remarkable AT one |
time a woman met with an accident bv /
which an expensive waist was evidently /
ruined. another woman By her side i'm |
mediatoly offered 10 repair the waist n
she material could be duplicated. This
vas done 10 the perfect satisfaction of
ne owner, although Il required much
time and skill
Many pitifui tales OF suffering and des-
utution are told by those who apply for
work. A frsii looking woman with Ave
children. and her husband confined IN an
hsaas asylum has been with us part Of