The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1907-09-18

Almost daily there comes to our
ears the cries of the poor, and as
in vision the needs of those who,
too proud to ask for assistance, are
often more worthy to receive it. So
as the Apostle Paul IN his vision saw
the Macedonian and heard him call
him to Come over and help u.s." we
too see the faces of those who have
need, and hear their pitiable tale.
Our financial condition, however, is
such that we are never able to do
much. and with feelings of pity we
have had to turn our backs upon
their needs and feel sad that those
with those who have not.
| believe that the Salvation Army
is, and rightly ought to be, the Clear
ance House, where those who have
may give their goods to those who
neted them. I therefore append a
scheme that I trust will meet with
your approval as we'll as your hearty
support: | feel assured that If it Is
workable on the side of those who
have, it surely will be of signal SER
vice to those who have need.
propose that instead of solicit
ing you for funds to carry on our re-
lief operations twice a year, as has
been the custom of the Army in thu,
past, that sum of money be raised
each month. l almost hear you say,
There, the Salvation Army is beg
ging again; they are always beg
ging." But please bear with me a
moment and I'll tell you the reason:
First. we are in receipt of nickles
and dimes when dollars are much
needed, and again, because the de-
mands are heavy upon us. People
tell us on every side that. we are do
ing a good work; ministers Of the
gospel with their members tell US
that we are reaching class of people
that they do not or cannot reach, yet
when we come to them to receive a
eoutiiuuliou llOul liicul, we are lOlu
that because of this benevolence or
some other demand upon them, they
IAN contribute nothing, or at least
only very small sum. Now without
any desire to show any hard feeling,
for l have only kindest regard for
the whole of the people, it does seem
to me that the people who are doing
the work Of relieving the needy
should receive the support of the peo-
pie who have money. yet statistics
offer abundant proof to the contrary.
In the same way we are usually
met by merchants and the repre-
sentatives of the different profess
sions in the community. They tell
us of their sympathy, and how glad
they are that we are doing something
for the submerged tenth, yet it is
only on rare occasions that any con-
siderable sum is forthcoming from
that quarter. So again we are COM
PEELED to look lsewhere-therefore
it is no wonder that the Army is al
ways begging.
propose then that sum Of money
be raised monthly, the exact sum will
OF course be decided by the amount
of people who will do their best to
help this work along, and l desire
that you who can probably spare
the sum of 800 per month, give
this omunt or more, and with some
forty nine others who may be in
terested in this work, $4,000 ought
to be available for :he purpose of re-
lieving the people who are distressed
by adverse circumstances. ;.
Trusting that this appeal will re-
ceive the consideration at your
hands that 1t merits, and that you
will try to see 1t from the standpoint
of the deserving poor, in which class
fortunately for yourself, you do not
happen to be placed. rest my case.
Trusting to see you in the near
future and supply you with statistics
of our work, you care to see them.
and receiving from you assurance OF
the assistance asked. I am, dear sir,
Respectfully. servant OF the peo-
pie for the sake Of Christ.
A. F. MEIsSNER.
Cantaic