ne. anh ee cy, = W a. e: rs BAS s > Pa eat aa) ce mT < .@) 2 m7 az -] tw re) O- < 3 R =+ = = a rmonvow 3 in a WANNA NY ZNZNZNZNZNIZNTZ SW WANAKA ZS WINN IN TN INSNS: YW) x WINX CASAS ANS CAS ASS WSS ASW ANS pa OR ; Sp aC aA a ag ag AE Ga eC A VAN SSI OF: FEE COLUMBUS FEMALE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY WITH ANNUAL REPORTS OF LEO: 7 BVA MAAS AAA RANA SPECT TE QOS yg OR A OT AGE ERT aT IgC IgE /SEMI-CENTENNIAL wee | mi OF THE Pere, WITH : ANNUAL REPORTS OF 1885. COLUMBUS, 0.: x ae OHIO STATE JOURNAL PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT. Sigh Mie " ae ‘ 2 mas itty Y * a ° 1886. 7 ~ Sy Sas .} ys cn es e a : i ate f ia yt bial ’ \f Sy a { we ‘@ — ares 6 C: Ge sz x UF a Pee ACT OF INCORPORATION. An Act to Lncorporate the Columbus Female Benevolent Society. Section 1. Be ct enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohvo, That Mary P. Cressy, Maria M. Espy, Sarah Asbury, Maria S. Preston, Mary S. Kelley, Caroline Dryer, Keziah B. Stone, and their associates, being females. who now are, or who may hereafter, agreeably to the constitution and by-laws of the ‘‘Columbus Female Benevolent Society,” become members thereof, are declared a body corporate, with perpetual succession, for the purposes ot administering to the wants and alleviating the distress of the poor and afflicted of their own sex, and of affording moral, physical and intellectual instruction and improvement to orphans and other poor children. Src. 2. That said Society, by the name of the Columbus Female Benevolent Society, shall be invested with all such powers and privileges usually pertaining to corporations as may be necessary to carry into effect the purposes hereinbe- fore set forth. Sec. 38. Thatsaid Society shall be authorized to purchase, receive, hold, and convey such personal and real estate and property as may be convenient for carrying into effect the purposes of this act. Prov7ded, the same shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars. Sec. 4. That this act shall be deemed a public act, and shall be subject to ail such amendments and alterations as the General Assembly may think necessary for the better secur- ing the objects declared in the first Section. C. ANTHONY, Speaker of the House of Representatives. GEORGE J. SMITH, March 5, 1838. Speaker of the Senate. ~ CONSTITUTION. | ARTICLE I.—NAME. The name of this Society is the ‘‘Columbus Female Benevo- 99 lent Society. ARTICLE II.—PURPOSE. The purpose of this Society isto seek the poor and afflicted females in the city of Columbus, and provide them relief, aid, instruction or employment, as may be deemed best, and to afford moral, physical and intellectual instruction and im- provement to orphans and other poor children. ARTICLE III.—MEMBERSHIP. Sec. 1. There shall be regular, life and honorary mem- bers. Sec. 2. Females only of moral character can become members. Sec. 38. Names proposed for membership shall be handed to the President the day previous, and by her presented to be voted upon at aunual and monthly meetings. Voting shall be by ballot, if requested by ten members, otherwise ‘‘ viva voce.’ ‘Ten negative votes shall reject. Each member elected shall sign the Constitution, and pay such dues as the by-laws may provide. SEec. 4. Any member may become a life member by a Majority vote, and the payment of twenty-five dollars. Sec. 5. Members who have retired from active duty, after long and faithful service, or who are deemed worthy of especial esteem, may be elected honorary members. 154°230 Semi-Centennial Manual of the te ARTICLE IV.—DUES. Sec. 1. The By-laws shall provide astoalldues. Refusal to pay dues for two consecutive years shall suspend member- ship, and refusal to pay dues for three consecutive years, membership shall cease. Life and honorary members are exempt from dues. ARTICLE V.—MEETINGS AND ELECTIONS. Sec. 1. The annual meeting of the Society shall be held on the first Wednesday of January, at such place as the Executive Committee shall designate, public notice thereof being given. ‘Twenty members shall be a quorum. The Constitution and By-laws shall be read. Proposed member- ship shall be voted upon. Reports of officers made, and an election by ballot shall be held for President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Visitors, who shall be the Board ot Directors, and who shall serve for the ensuing year, or until their successors are elected. The By-laws shall provide as to the number of visitors for each year, and also as to other business to be done at the annual meetings. Sec. 2. Monthly meetings of the Directors shall be held as the By-laws may provide. Members of the Society may attend, but shall have no vote. SEc. 3. Special meetings of the Society or Directors may be called by the President at any time, and shall be called at any time upon the written request of ten members. Upon refusal or neglect so to do by the President, any member may make such call. ARTICLE VI.—OFFICERS. Sec. 1. The President shall preside at the meetings of the Society, Board of Directors and Executive Committee ; shall report thereto, and make such recommendations as she shall deem fit; shall appoint all special committees; is ex- officio a member of all committees; she shall execute, under Columbus Female Benevolent Society. a) seal of the Society, the conveyance of real property ; make transfers of stocks and bonds, and perform such other duties as the By-laws may provide. SEc. 2, The Vice President, in the absence or inability of the President, shall perform the duties of the office, and also such other duties as the By-laws may provide. Sec. 3. The Treasurer shall receive and pay out all moneys; shall have charge of all bonds, stocks, moneys, books. records and other property of the Society pertaining to that office; holding the same subject at all times to the order of the Executive Committee; she shall report to the annual and monthly meetings, and at such other times as may be requested by the Executive Committee: she shall keep a list of members, with the accounts pertaining thereto; and perform such other duties as the By-laws may provide. Sec. 4. The Secretary shall record in a proper book the By-laws, rules and regulations, and minutes of the Society, Board of Directors and Executive Committee. ‘She shall duly notify the officers of their elections: shall give due notice of all meetings; shall report tothe annual and monthly meetings, and perform such other duties as the By-laws may provide. ARTICLE VII1.—DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES. Sec. 1. The Directors shall control, buy or sell real and personal property, and direct the affairs and Operations of the Society ; shall make, or repeal, such by-laws, rules and regulations, as they may from time to time deem fit: and de such other things as they may deem best for the interests of the Society, not inconsistent with this Constitution. Sec 2. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and three Visitors, to be chosen by the Directors. They shall conduct the active operations of the Society, with full power to do, or cause to be done, what they may be deem necessary to carry 6 Semi-Centennial Manual of the out the object of the Society, subject, however, to the Board of Directors. : SEc.3. The Committee on Honorary Memberships shall be appointed by the President—one-half from the Visitors and one-half from members of the Society not Visitors. No one shall be voted on for honorary membership until pro- posed by this Committee. Sec. 4. An auditing Committee shall be annually ap- pointed by the President to examine the funds, books, ac- counts and vouchers of the Treasurer, and report the result at the annual meeting. ARTICLE VIII.—DEBT. This Society shall create no indebtedness whatever. ARTICLE IX.—PERMANENT FUND. Src. 1. A Permanent Fund is established. All income from life membership shall be placed in this fund ; all devises to this Society shall be placed in this fund, unless otherwise directed by the devisor. Donations to this Society, if so directed by the donor, shall be placed in this fund. Src. 2. This fund shall not be reduced by voluntary action of the Society. It shall be kept invested in the bonds of the United States, the State of Ohio, the county of Franklin, Ohio, or the city of Columbus, Ohio, and in no other way. The income thereof only shall be used. ‘ Sec. 3. Provided, however, that all devises and dona- tions, or the proceeds thereof, shall be invested as shall be directed by the devisor or donor. Src. 4. There is hereby placed in this fund to the credit of Alfred Kelley, Five Hundred Dollars; ‘State Capital Festival,’’ Two Hundred Dollars; Lincoln Goodale, Six- teen Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty-five and 67-100 Dollars; ‘*Second Ward Bounty Fund,” Two Hundred Dollars; Matilda A. Edmiston, One Thousand Dollars ; Columbus Female Benevolent Society. f Life Memberships, Eleven Hundred and Twenty-Five Dol- lars; Memorial Fund, One Hundred and Thirty Dollars ; Premiums, Fourteen Hundred and Sixty Dollars. ARTICLE X.—MEMORIAL FUND. , A Memorial Fund is established. By the payment of Twenty-five dollars or upward to this fund, any person may have the privilege of perpetuating the memory of a deceased friend. This Fund shall be subject to the provisions of the Permanent Fund. ARTICLE XI.—VISITORS. The City of Columbus shall be divided into convenient districts. Two or more visitors shall be appointed to each district. Visitors, by frequent personal visitation, shall be well informed as to the condition of the poor in their respect- ive districts. Supplies shall be furnished, rather than money given to the poor. Cleanliness and industry should be en- couraged, and aid given in obtaining employment. ARTICLE XII.—AMENDMENTS. This Constitution shall be amended only at an annnal meeting, by a vote of two-thirds of all the members of the Society, the proposed amendments having been presented in writing to the President or Secretary at least sixty days pre- ceding such annual meeting. 8 Semi-Centennial Manual of the BY-LAWS. First—The regular meetings of the Directors will be held on the first Wednesday of each month, at such place as shall be duly appointed. Ten shall be a quorum. In the absence of the President and Vice President, a chairman shall be chosen. In the absence of the Secretary and Treasurer, a Secretary and Treasurer pro /em. shall be chosen. The meetings shall be opened by prayer or reading from the Bible. Order shall be preserved. All remarks shall be ad- dressed to the chair. ; Business shall proceed as follows: Ist—Reports of Officers and Visitors. 2d—Unfinished business. 3d—Proposed memberships. 4th—New business. Second A concise report shall be made for each district at each monthly meeting. The sums disbursed, with the names of the recipients, shall be reported in writing. Each District: Visitor shall state the sum needed for the ensuing month. The aggregate thereof shall be appropiated by resolution, if the condition of the treasury shall warrant. If not, such sum as shall be deemed proper, which shall be paid by the Treasurer to the Visitors—no voucher being required. No Visitor shall” expend more than the sum thus appropriated, except in special cases, and then only from funds drawn from the treas- ury by an ordeg of the President on the Treasurer in favor of the Visitor. Third—The ‘‘Industrial School” shall be under the control of the Vice President. The Directors of the Society shall appoint a Superintendent and Secretary, who shall, with the Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 9 President, appoint the teachers. The Secretary shall keepa record of the operations of the school, and the Superintendent shall make monthly and annual reports of the same to the Society. All moneys for the Industrial School shall be ap- propriated monthly by the Directors. No expenditures be- yond such appropriation shall be made. Fourth—Annual dues shall be one dollar, to be paid during the month of January. New members shall pay one dollar within a month after their election, as dues until the next annual meeting. Fifth—The By-laws may be amended at any regular meet- ing of the Directors by a vote of two-thirds of a quorum. RESOLUTIONS PASSED MARCH 6, 1878. FPeesolved, That the President be and is hereby instructed to ask the General Assembly of Ohio to change the maxi- mum limit of property which this Society may legally hold, from fifty thousand to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, or such sum as the General Assembly may deem fit. Leesolutions accepling the provisions of the act to provide for the creation and regulation of incorporated companies im the State of Ohio, pussed May 1, 1852. Filed March 1%, 1878. REsotvep, That the CoLtumBus I'EMALE BENEVOLENT SociEeTy, an incorporated society under a special act of the Legislature of the State of Ohio, passed March 5, 1838 (36 O. L., p. 185), do hereby accept the third section of the act to provide for the creation and regulation of incorporated companies in the State of Ohio, passed May 1, 1852, as a part of their charter, by virtue of the authority of the seventy- first section of said act. We, the undersigned, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was presented and unanimously adopted by the 10 Semi-Centennial Manwal of the Columbus Female Benevolent Society, at the regular meeting, held in Trinity Chapel, Columbus, Ohio, March 6, 1878. Mary Jj. Huspparp, Preszdent. Harriet E. Ipe, Vice President. Euua J. Manony, Secretary. Jane F. Houston, 7reasurer. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, STATE OF On10, SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE. I, Milton Barnes, Secretary of State of the State of Ohio, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a reso- lution of the Columbus Female Benevolent Society, filed in this office on the 7th day of March, A. D. 1878. Ln Testimony Whereof, 1 have hereunto set my hand and the Great Seal of the State [SEAL] of Ohio, at the city of Columbus, this 7th day of March, 1878. M1LtTon BARNES, Secretary of State. Columbus Female Benevolent Society. LF SERICERS FOR 4886. MRS. HERMAN M. HUBBARD, 313 E. Broad street, President. MRS. HARRIET E. IDE, 163 Scioto street, Vice Presi- dent. MRS. W. A. MAHONY, East Broad street, Secretary. MRS. JAMES KILBOURNE, 550 East Town street, Treas- urer. MRS. ALICE C. BROWN, 201 Oak street, Superintendent of Industrial School. MRS. G. J. ATKINSON, 1095 North High street, Secretary and Treasurer of Industrial School. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. THE ABOVE-NAMED OFFICERS AND MRS. THEODORE COMSTOCK, MRS. A M. SPARROW, anno MRS. BeA. FITCH. ——— DORCAS COMMITTEE. MRS. A. M. SPARROW, MRS. G. H. CHICKERING, MRS. DR. KROESEN. COMMITTEE ON HONORARY MEMBERSHIP MRS. DR. I.G. JONES, MRS, JAMES L. BATES, MRS. HARRIET E. IDE, ann MRS. SAMUEL GALLO- WAY. AUDITING COMMITTEE. MR. GEORGE W. SINKS. 12 -I Semi-Centennial Manual of the DISTRICT VISITORS FOR 4886. . North of Fifth Avenue, both sides ot High street to city limits—MRS. JOSIAH BUHLEN, 66 Smith Place; MRS. JAMES A. LOREN, 1175 North High street. . North of Goodale street between High and and Eighth streets to Fitth avenue—MRS. D. G. SMITH, 93 West Fourth avenue; Mrs. A. D. SHAW, 31 Gill street. . North of Buttles avenue to Fifth avenue west of High street—Mrs. A. B. MULLIGAN, 925 Dennison ave- nue; MRS. A. CONVERSE. 686 North High street. . North of Nighten street to Goodale street, between High and Eighth streetts—MRS. DR. KROESEN, 128 North Seventh street; MRS. A. M. PATON, 151 Hamlet street. North of Maple street to Buttles avenue, west of High street-—MRS. J. B. HAMPTON, 21 Spruce street; MRS. G. H. CHICKERING, 335 Lazelle avenue. - North of Broad street to Maple street, west of High street-—MRS. W. A. HERSHISER, 951 North High street; MRS. J. H. GODMAN, Jr., 28 South Garfield avenue. . North of Broad street to Naghten street, between High and Third streetss—MISS ANN ROBINSON, 60 East Gay street; MRS. W. E. GUERIN, 287 East Broad SUFGCL. . North of Broad street to Naghten street, between Fifth and Third streets—MRS. R. D. HARRISON, 166 East State street; MRS. L. B. TAYLOR, 259 East State street. 10. i 12. 14. 15. 16. ive 18. Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 13 . North of Broad street to Naghten street, between Fifth and Washington avenue—MRS. FRANCIS COL- LINS, 226 East Broad street; MRS. GEO. W. GILL, 241 East Broad street. North of Mt. Vernon avenue, east of Eighth street— MRS. N. E. LOVEJOY, 721 East Broad street; MRS. EDWARD ORTON, 104 Twentieth street. From Broad street to Mt. Vernon avenue, east of Wash- ington Avenue—MRS. J. H. COLLINS, 57 Lexington avenue; MRS. R. GILBERT WARNER, 23 North Sixth street. From Broad street to Rich street, west of High street— MRS. E. A. FITCH, 159 East State street; MRS. die MORTON, 559 East Town street. . From Broad street tu Rich street, between High and Seventh streets—MRS. J. J. FERSON, 226 East Town street; MRS. D. M. AKIN, 177 East Town street. From Broad street to Rich street, east of Seventh street —MRS. G. G. COLLINS, 339 East Broad street; MISS MARY McCLELLAND, 273 East Broad street. From Rich street to Beck street, between High and Front streets—MRS. DR. AWL, 177 East State street; MISS MARY AWL, 117 East State street. From Rich street to Beck street, west of Front street— MRS.SAMUEL McELVAINE, 167 South Front street ; MRS. GEO. L. RUGGLES, 253 South Front street. From Rich street to Mound street, between High and Fourth streets—MRS. S. S. LATTIMER, 615 East Town street; MRS. J. W. BROWN, 221 East Town street. From Rich street to Mound street between Fourth and Sixth strees—MRS. WM. G. DUNN, 466 East Town street; MRS. DR. S. C. BAILEY, 560 East Town st. 14 19. 20. 21. 22. No 24. + Oo . Semi-Centennial Manwal of the South of Rich street. between Sixth street and Washing- ton. Avenue—MRS. THEO. COMSTOCK, 383. East Town street; MRS. Ri: AvcHARRISON,: 324 East Town street. South of Rich street, east of Washington Avenue—MRS. A.M. SPARROW, 337 East Broad street; MRS. A. G. PATTON, 476 East Broad street. From Mound: street to Beck street, between High and Sixth streets—-MRS. W. J. SAVAGE, 778 South. High street; MRS. WM. H. AKIN, 50 East Town street. From Beck street to city limits, both sides of High street-—-MRS. M. W. BLISS, 243-East Rich st; MRS. G. S. INNIS, South High street. West of Scioto river to city limits, north of State street— MRS. JOSEPH BROWN, 206 South Front: street ; MRS. HARRIET E. IDE, 163 South Scioto street. West of Scioto river to city limits, south of State street— MRS. JAMES TAYLOR, 506 East Main street; MRS, MARY FISHER, 506 E. Main street. Columbus Female Benevolent Society. L5 NAMES IN MEMORIAL. Mrs. Moses Jewett, Mrs. Mary Boyleau Marple, esarah |. tlaver, Rufus King, Jr. ‘Mrs. Hannah Neil. HONORARY MEMBERS: Mrs. J. N. Champion, Mrs. Alfred Kelley, «¢ Matilda A. Edmiston, ‘* - Noah H. Swayne, ‘* Sarah Asbury, ‘* John Patterson, ‘¢ Demas Adams, ‘© A. Chittenden, ** “Cynthia W. Hubble, said pres, Oren By get ctigh meee. >, Llubbard, ‘© William M. Awl, pejane I -Elouston, ‘¢ Joseph Ridgeway, «¢ John F. Bartlit, Miss Matilda Gwynne, Miss Ann Robinson, ‘¢ Lucy Gardner, Mrs. Jas. L. Bates, Mrs. Samuel Galloway, Mrs. Anne E. Dennison. DIFP E MEMBERS. April 8, 1871, Mrs. Kate Deshler Hunter. April 8, 1871. Mrs. Mary Deshler Warner. February 2, 1876, Mrs. Godfrey Robinson. April 5, 1876, Mrs. Louisa M. Gwynne. April 12, 1876, Mrs. F. C.. Sessions. April 12, 1876, Mrs. William G. Deshler. November 26, 1876, Miss Elizabeth Green Deshler. December 7, 1876, Mrs. Harriet E. Ide. December 6, 1876, Mrs. Julia Ide Clarke. December 6, 1876, Mrs. John G. Deshler, Sen. December 6, 1876, Mrs. George M. Parsons. 16 December 22, 1876, January 2, 1877, February 7, 1877, February 7, 1877, March 7, 1877, April 4, 1877, April 4, 1877, April 30, 1877, May 2, 1877, October 8, 1877, October 3, 1877, November 5, 1878, February 5, 1879, March 3. 1879, December 1, 1880, December 1, 1880, December 1, 1880, December 1, 1880, December 1, 1880, February 28, 1881, December 7, 1881, ‘December 7, 1881, March 6, 1883, March 6, 1883, November 7, 1883, January 2, 1884, November 3, 1884, January 7, 1885, January 7, 1885, January 7, 1885, January 7, 1885, January 7, 1885, February 4, 1885, November 4, 1885, Semi-Centennial Manwal of the Mrs. Ezra Bliss. Mrs. Samuel Galloway. Miss Katharine B. Ide. Mrs. D. A. Randall. Mrs. Rufus W. Clark (Trinity Church). Mrs. James L. Bates. Mrs. Herman M. Hubbard. Miss Kate Deshler. Miss Ann Eliza Deshler. Mrs. R. A. Harrison. Mrs. Walter C. Brown. Mrs. Walter A. Mahony. Mrs. B. N. Huntington. Mrs. Adeline M. Nash. Mrs. John G. Deshler, Jr. Miss Martha G. Deshler. Miss Louise Deshler. Mrs. E. T. Mithoff. Mrs. Wm. S. Ide. Miss Harriet Emily Ide. Mrs. Ben. S. Brown. Mrs, H. L. Hinman. Mrs. E. B. Fullerton. Mrs. Theodore Comstock. Miss Marjorie Clarke. Mrs. John W. Andrews. Mrs. Loretta Brodrick Denig. Mrs. J. J. Ferson. Mrs. Jane Green McNaghten. Miss Emma G. Mahony. Mrs. Henry C. Noble. Miss Helen Deshler. Mrs. R. G. Hutchins (Cong, Church). Miss Kate Hunter (Industrial School). a Columbus Female Benevolent Society. REGULAR MEMBERS. Awl, Mrs. William m~Acton, Mrs-.J.C. Aiken, Mrs. Daniel Atkinson, Mrs. George J. Brown, Mrs. J. W. Brown, Mrs. Joseph Baers iviys.. J: W. Bliss. Mrs. M. W. Bright, Mrs. George W. Dailey, Mrs. Dr. uter. Virs.C. P.-L. Bowe, Mrs. C. A. Bancroft, Mrs. Howard Crafts, Mrs. Walter Chickering, Mrs. H. G. Chestnut, Mrs. James Coit, Mrs: A.B. Collins, Mrs. Francis Collins, Mrs. G. G. Converse, Mrs. A. Dennison, Mrs. Anne E. Dunn, Mrs. William G. Diemer, Mrs. G. Dean, Mrs. J. A. Deshler, Mrs. William G. A. Aston, Mrs. Isaac C. Armstrong, Mrs. William Andrews, Mrs. John W. Aiken, Mrs. W. H. B: Baker, Mrs. Charles Baker, Mrs. Walter Brown, Mrs. Alice Byers, Mrs. A. G. Brown, Mrs. Walter C. Brown, Mrs. Benjamin S. Bliss, Mrs. Ezra Bates, Mrs. James L. Butler, Mrs. Chas. C; Collins, Mrs. J. H. Claypool, Mrs. James Clarke, Mrs. Julia Ide Clark, Mrs. Rufus W. Comstock, Mrs. Theodore Clarke, Miss Marjorie Carter, Mrs. Dr. D. Deshler, Miss Ann Eliza Deshler, Mrs. John G. Deshler, Miss Martha G. Deshler, Miss Louise Deshler, Miss Helen. Li Deshler, Miss Elizabeth Green Denig, Mrs. Loretta Brodrick Deshler, Miss Kate 2 18 Semi-Centennial Manwal of the E, Eberly, Mrs. Isaac English, Mrs. L. Ewing, Mrs. William |e Fitch. Mrs. Edward A. Fay, Mrs. Frederick J. Fisher, Mrs. Mary Fullerton, Mrs. E. B. Ferson, Mus. Jef: G. Godman, Mrs. J. Harper Gill, Mrs. John L. Gwynne, Miss Matilda Going, Mrs. S. Gill, Mrs. George W. Guerin, Mrs. N. E. Gray, Mrs. D.S. Godman, Mrs. Henry Godman, Mrs. J. Marshall Gladden, Mrs. Washington Greene, Mrs. M. M. ‘ Galloway, Mrs. Samuel lle Hubner, Mrs. A. Harrison, Mrs. R.A. Hardy, Mrs. Charles J. Huntington, Mrs. B. N. Hamilton, Mrs. J. W. Hunter, Mrs. Kate Deshler. Hickok, Mrs. Frank Hutchins, Mrs. Robt. G. Harrison, Mrs. R. D. Hubbard, Mrs. Herman M. Hoffman, Mrs. R. C. Hunter, Miss Kate Hershiser, Mrs. W. A. Houston, Mrs. Alexander Hayden, Mrs. Wm. B. Hutchinson, Mrs. Ira Hampton, Mrs. J. W. Hubble, Mrs. Cynthia Hall. virs [5B is Innis, Mrs. G. S. Ide, Mrs. Wm. S. ide, Mrs. Harriet E. Ide, Miss Harriet Emily \de, Miss Katharine B. J. Jones, Mrs. Dr. I. G. Jenkens, Mrs. Lizzie Columbus Female Benevolent Society. Kilbourne, Mrs. Lincoln Kelley, Mrs. Altred Kroesen, Mrs. Dr. J. C. Lattimer, Mrs. S. A. Longstreth, Mrs. Thadeus. Mather, Miss J. M. Morton, Mrs. J. S. McClelland, Miss Mary Marple, Mrs. N. B. McElvaine, Mrs. Emily Mater, Mrs. ']. C. Mickle, Mrs. James McElvaine, Mrs. S. P. McDougal, Mrs. S. A. Mulligan, Mrs. A. B. Neil, Mrs. Henry M. Neil, Mrs. Robert S. Nash, Mrs. Adeline M. Orton, Mrs. Edward Peters, Mrs. George S. Platt, Mrs. William A. Patton, Mrs. J. H. Robinson, Miss Ann Richards,Mrs. William Robbins, Mrs. E. B. Ke: Kilbourne, Mrs. James Kooken, Mrs. James I by, Lovejoy, Mrs. N. E. M Marsh, Mrs. S. F. McMillen, Mrs. Wm. L. Mahony, Mrs. Walter A. Mithoff, Mrs. E. T. McComb, Mrs. J. W. Mahony, Miss Emma G. Munson, Mrs. Chas. E. Miller, Mrs. John N. Noble, Mrs. Henry C. Norton, Mrs. Sidney. O Outhwaite, Mrs. Joseph H. i, Patton, Mrs. A. g. Parsons, Mrs. George M. R Robinson, Mrs. Godfrey Ruggles, Mrs. Geo. L. 19 McNaghten, Mrs. Jane Greene 20 Semi-Centennial Manwal of the Ss Smith, Mrs. D. G. Smith, Mrs. B. E. Sparrow, Mrs. A. M. Sinks, Mrs. George W. Stewart, Mrs. E. K. Shaw, Mrs. A. D. Savage, Mrs. Wm. J. Sessions, Mrs. F. C. Smythe, Mrs. H. P. a Bs Townshend, Mrs. N.S. Tuttle; MrsivAs Ee Taylor, Mrs. W.M. Thomas, Mrs. Alfred Taylor, Mrs. James M. Taft, Mrs. Chas. Taylor, Mrs. L. B. WwW. Wilcox, Mrs. James A. Warner, Mrs. Mary Deshler Warner, Mrs. R. G. Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 21 PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1886, So swiftly have the months passed, it seems but yesterday since, in this place, an annual meeting with annual reports was the business before the Benevolent Society. But our date to-day is January 6, 1886, and we realize that another vear has been added to our record, and upon us isthe duty to take it in brief review. First comes vividly before us the enthusiasm of our last annual meeting, upon the reading of a letter from Rev. Dr. Gladden in reference to a ‘‘local habitation” for the Indus- trial School and other branches of our benevolent work. The writer warmly commended this work. I quote from his letter, ‘“‘as of incalculable value to this city, for the preserva- of its morals, the decrease of its burdens, and the promotion of its prosperity.” He believed the people were then reacy to show their appreciation of the work of the Society, and suggested that the meeting appoint a large committee of lead- ing business men, twenty-five in number, and request them to take the matter in charge. The requisite number was judiciously chosen by the So- ciety, and were notified of their election. This committee, we were informed, heartily indorse the plan proposed, and after consultation appointed a sub-committee, consisting of P. W. Huntington, Col. James Kilbourne and Hon. Joseph H. Outhwaite, to solicit subscriptions and take such other steps as were necessary in aid aid of the enterprise. It was very much desired by those most interested that the building should be erected during the year, and be a semi-centennial M © « Semi-Centennial Manwal of the gift, or memorial, to the Benevolent Society in the semi-cen- tennial year of its existence. With this end in view the time for subscriptions to be received was limited to June 5. The committee, an efficient one, went to work, but soon reported that their success was not encouraging. By no person, we believe, was the worthiness of the object or its need ques- tioned, but the financial stress of the times was too great an obstacle to be overcome. About one third of the amount deemed necessary was subscribed, when, by limitation, the time for soliciting expired, and the project was reluctantly abandoned. It is best not to speak of our disappointment. But we have faith to believe that in the near future we shall enter in and possess the goodly heritage of a permanent home, suitably located and adapted in its appointments to the work we have in band. Your committee, to whom was entrusted the Manual, has been busy revising and arranging material for it. To this will be added the work of the past year as embodied in the annual reports, and it is expected to have all ready for the press very soon. Within the year two of the oldest members of the Society have entered into eternal rest. Mrs. William T. Martin’s name appears upon record as one of the first visitors in the middle ward of the city ; her term of service cannot be de- termined from data now at command. Weare told her long life, nearly ninety-five years, was usefully spent, and was peacefully closed at the home of her daughter, Mrs. S. E. Wright, in Cincinnati, January 16, 1885. Mrs. D. A. Ran- dall died at the residence of her son in this city September 12. Mrs. Randall twice filled the office of Vice-President, and for thirty-five years that of visitor in this Society. The following have been made life members: Mrs. Henry C. Noble and Helen Deshler, making forty-five life members. We very much hoped fifty names would have filled our list in the semi-centennial year. Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 23 Interest on permanent fund, church collections and liberal donations from friends have furnished an adequate sum for the work of the Society. We refer you to the treasurer’s report, where all matters of finance are accurately recorded. The monthly meetings have been well attended, the work of the Society has been quietly done, and in the retrospect we find nothing of special interest to bring before you. The Industrial School this winter, by permission of W. B. Page, President of the City Council, holds its sessions in the large room of the City Hall. In the essentials of warmth, light, possible ventilation and abundance of space, the school is well located.. We hereby wish to express our thanks to President Page, and through him to our city fathers. for this favor granted. At the meeting of the Benevolent Society, held in November, Mrs. Alice C. Brown, superintendent of the school, suggested the advisability of making the school more distinctively a training school in Bible truths, in morals and in manners. and laid before the Society a plan in which practical lessons in housewife1y and useful instruction tend- ing to the moral elevation of girls might be added to the lessons in sewing. And that needful habits of economy and self-denial might be instilled, it was thought best to charge a small sum for the garments that had been in previous years gra- tuitously distributed. The Society voted to adopt the methods as presented by Mrs. Brown. The plan recommended by Miss Dreyer, of Chicago (who is eminently successful in conducting industrial, educational enterprises in that city), of requiring the pupils to commit to memory one Bible verse at each session of the school, was adopted at the beginning of the present term. It has proved to be a pleasant as well as a profitable exercise. Mrs. Brown states: ‘*The girls have not only committed the selected verses perfectly, but have done it with such evident good will that we can not but hope that this work, hidden in their hearts, will be to them a safe- guard against sin.” 24 Semi-Centennial Manwal of the Two months’ trial is perhaps'too soon to speak confidently of the ultimate success of the economic part of our plan, but so far we are not disappointed in the result. The school has not decreased in numbers, as predicted, and the testimony of some of the teachers is decidedly favorable. They find the children in most cases willing to buy the garments when made, and we think we may safely say better work and greater diligence has been secured in the school. We wish to thank the teachers, some, we know, preferring the old way, for the support they have given us in this new departure, and we earnestly trust we may together work out the best plan for the best good of the children whose welfare we all have so much at heart. The Christmas entertainment for the children of the Indus- trial and Mission Sunday schools was given Saturday after- noon, December 26, at the City Hall. A brief address by Rey. C. H. Babcock, in the form of a beautiful and instruc- tive story, singing and recitations by the children, followed by the distribution of boxes of candy, popcorn and fruit, and to each child a gift from the Candy Brothers, made complete the happiness of the five hundred children in attendance. The Dorcas Committee, by courtesy of Dr. Wagenhals, city physician, still occupies his rooms in the City Hall every Saturday afternoon from 2to 4 p.m. The ladies of this com- mitteee are to be found at this place to receive donations of second-hand clothing, bedding, anything and everything that will help to make comfortable the needy who apply. These articles are dispensed to the worthy poor upon recommenda- tion of visitors of the Society or other responsible persons. Unknown applicants are visited by some member of the com- mittee before they are assisted. At the meeting last February, a plan for a free dispensary was laid before the Society, to the effect that three physicians, who were experienced in hospital practice, would give their Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 25 services on certain office hours each day, also the necessary drugs, appliances and office rooms. These gentlemen pre- ferred to work under the auspices of the Female Benevolent Society, and asked of the Society assistance in procuring necessary office furniture. A committee was appointéd for the purpose, who readily obtained all that was needed. In March the following resolution was adopted : Resolved, That while the Benevolent Society rejoices in the establishment of the free dispensary, it cannot assume any pecuniary responsibility in sustaining it. A permanent committee, consisting of Mrs. Francis Collins and Mrs. Edward Fitch, was appointed to receive and dis- burse special donations to the same. Donations and a benefit given by the Princess Rink early in the spring have, in a large measure, sustained the dispensary during the ten months it has been in operation. The report of the committee will show a surprisingly large number of the persons treated, and seems to demonstrate the need for this charity. Plans for making the dispensary in part self-sustaining are under consideration. All here present are doubtless aware that the Associated Charities of Columbus is an established fact. The Female Benevolent Society, with other charitable organizations of the city, was asked to co-operate with the association. In re- sponse to this request, an executive meeting was held on De- cember 16 (it did not seem desirable to call the whole to- gether at the time), to take preliminary action, subject to your approval. ‘This committee appointed the President to rep- resent the Benevolent Society at the meetings of the associa- tion, to serve until your meeting to-day. The Benevolent Society will preserve its present organization intact, control its own funds and continue its work as heretofore. It is only desired of us that we select one of our number to represent this Society at stated meetings of the association, and, to pre- vent fraud and duplication, that all present and future cases 26 Semi-Centennial Manual of the cared for by us be reported to their agent, to be placed upon their records. The subject will come before you for consid- eration and action this afternoon. We are indebted to the trustees of First Presbyterian Church for the use of their chapel for the monthly meetings. during the year, and to First Congregational for their chapel for the annual meetings. The State Fournal, Dispatch and Times place us under renewed obligations for gratuitous publication of notices of monthly meetings, and to the Stwte Fournal for publishing annual reports. In behalf of the Society we tender sincere thanks. Much wisdom is needed in this work of ours, and so with comfort we read: ‘‘If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. Asking in faith, nothing waver- ing.”’ May this promise be fulfilled to each one of us in the year upon which we now enter. Respectfully submitted, Mary J. Hupsarp, President. Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 27 hee cuURER Ss REPORT FOR 1685. Balance om mand January UL 1885. 02 eee kee ee ey $ 510 82 Ree ree OTRO AEL SOULCES Cfo ohuiunelel 30 as civ ips le alate sleenes 2,566 57 "eS oh ogee 2 SRA! Tee Sieg of RUPEE A Rar er I ce $3,077 39 RECEIPTS. Biek ea peOly PELUTAMETID LUNG og owls wo wie e's o's wre oli 8 a sree $1,466 00 a I geet OR Fe IY as ah lan) Gta) oe) ae x ahs Nie pled ee Fe 813 57 Protea eae a ePS UIT CILES <0. 5 04 buy ls s/s 4tm Som a ae cele eed jess 87 00 TU VCO EGSH SU, S156 a RARE eR ge i A a 200 00 SE inch a eerie d SS) Sigs es 6/ ihe ae CR a prs GT Ee $2,566 57 EXPENDITURES. Paid visitors at monthly meetings 2... 62... cap scene ee $1,915 O07 Paid visitors on orders from the President .............. 208 00 Rede MIMI CE AL OOM ese) wie chavs so 'biloce oles pon b's * eects 138 00 MIAO Pre CRUNCH gar sega iene kis, sves levee 9 jaleid oleae. « 5 00 Paid $200 city of Columbus 4 per cent. bond........... 200 00 aR OM eee astern neers eo hos ow! GONEMS a tac's' Sapo Te $2,466 O7 aM Eee hea tt ee ig 3 9 (Se We aol cole si jel Ries aired wd eB 611 32 a tM ate Wau 5) lice ht Nina devices Jig eh poi > WSR $3,077 39 Items of Dorations—June collection from First Congrega- tional Church, $90.50; West Avenue Rink benefit, $26.25; total, $116.75. Thanksgiving Collections—First Congregational, First and Second Presbyterian, First Baptist and Central Christian Churches, $36.44; High Street Congregational, $5; Church of the Good Shepherd, $10.17; Trinity Church, $638.71; total, $115.32. : 28 Semi-Centennial Manual of the Donations—-Colonel ‘S$. Medbury, $200; Mr. William G. Deshler, $100: Mrs. George M. Parsons, $15; Mrs. Ellen P. Outhwaite, $30; Mrs. Dr. I. G. Jones, $5; Mrs. C. H. Butler, $1.50; Mrs. Dr. Carter, $15; Mrs. James Wilcox, $5; Mr. James McKee, $10; Mrs. William G. Deshler, $25 ; Mrs. Charles O. Hunter, $25; Herman Hubbard, $10; Mrs. D. G. Smith, $5.00; Mrs. George W. Gill, $3; Mrs. Sidney Norton, $2; Mr. P. W. Huntington, $40; Mrs. Randolph S. Warner, $50; Mrs. Frederick J. Fay, $5; Mr. Benjamin S. Brown, $25; Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Gray, $10; total, $581.50. The Permanent Fund is invested us follows: $1,000 Columbus & Hocking Valley R. R. second mortgage, DONS Hise etal cess ornare Int. 4,000 Columbus & Toledo first mortgage bonds.. “ 500 City of Columbus 4 per cent. bonds....... e 8,800 City of Columbus 7 per cent. City Hallbonds “ 6,000 City of Columbus 7 per cent sewer bonds.. “ 1,000 Franklin County 6 per cent. bonds........ 200 City of Columbus 4 per cent bonds....... - $21,500 Total annual interest........ Derived trom the following sources: Alined's Kelley). 5:4 a see oh ueese ee Se ae eee state Capital festival... Re orancten: se er eee arene second. ward bounty: find wi Uotcse wee ren ee ee Lincoln Goodale estate: (lewaey)\-42455.<, os saan eee Matilda: A: ‘Eedmistonjfund. (Noble)o.o02. 2 aes a. = areas Life-membetships (45) -< --.Ss rome Geek pci ee ee Memonal fund (Bb) {vcmced, alert tan Renee eee Premimms~ 3) Sicacs ve ee a ae Total 5 oa acalg eye. Cate dam mbes one eae tira ee ee Respectfully submitted, $1,474 00 ANNIE B, KiLBourRNE, Treasurer. Columbus Kemale Benevolent Society. 29 CoLuMBUs, O., January 6, 1886. Mrs. H. M. Hupsarp, Pres’t. Dear Madame—Conformably with your wishes, I have this day examined the accounts and books of your Treasurer, Mrs. Annie-B. Kilbourne, for the year 1885, and find that they agree in all respects with her statement rendered for that time. Very respectfully, Geo. W. SINKs, Auditing Committee. REPORT OF INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR 1885, RECEIPTS. OE ad orn RCS rot ret gi? Dott Se ge $ 13 90 Cash received of Benevolent Society— RMSE Aiea teet O Geta. ale Sc ip disk die we io ab ieie es a ale d $25 00 ie Cia RET IE EATS og Spa 8 ala, e ws eevee ds le’ Cibde 0's 40 00 RPM ME e PoP ei, se oY. leat dha, Bt. e ced cas wine 25 00 EME MM eree re ara AS on Sa pe dh we wed ghee Nl aA 8 25 00 NEE RPMS er Nr. ay ey elon 298/45 av ele wa ee 0s RkR eS 25 00 een are eis ys ec Wes a oc esate wb nie, bode w we le A 13 00 RE NT REI W AME Re ros ck ce’ als ois ees dives Saree asldiale-e 10 00 0 UES OS SS ICT Se 2 00 MEM eG LOI DUS 20) ols voy any aK os 26 tim els arnt wie ae TL os EOP Sue eon i $186 87 EXPENDITURES. Cash expended for material— RR PIO SUPE Oey Palins pga. s ives & 016 fx eres ale ee $ 49 05 MORE SE Ss va k's os sin vas wake meee ees 40 42 30 Semi-Centennial Manual of the March, 1885... 0. o.ck' ta 6 : Rossini CHURCH QUARTETTE. SemizCentenniale cA dOnessm seinen: ee ener Wixt.tiam G. DESHLER Music—“ Oft in the Stilly Night”. ........-...-2+-+- Thomas CHURCH QUARTETTE. Reminiscences by members of the Society. Remarks by Rev. WASHINGTON GLADDEN. Music—‘ Auld Lang Syne,” solo, Miss LaTHrop, chorus by the audience. Benediction by Rev. Francis E. MARSTEN, Columbus Female Benevolent Society. GP SEMI-CENTENNIAL ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT, January 5th, 1835, a few ladies met in the old Town Street Methodist Church, to organize the Columbus Female Benevo- lent Society. It is fitting that we, as a Society, with friends interested, meet together this evening to honor their memory, recall their names, and review the work inaugurated by them fifty years ago to-day. - Columbus was incorporated as a city in 1834, this Society being one year younger than the city. The population was between three and four thousand. Capital Square was inclosed the same year. That part of the city lying between Broad and Rich streets, east of Fourth, was a com- mon, in which territory was a large pond, called ‘* Hodgkin’s pond,” extending from State southeast to Main street. From thence to the river flowed a small stream, called ‘‘ Peter’s run,’ but which has now entirely disappeared. Where Spring street now is was another stream, which was crossed at High street by horses fording, and foot passengers upon two logs, laid across for a bridge, from off which the boys of that day caught sunfish, ‘‘shiners,’’ and crawfish. The water was supplied by living springs, situated in the eastern part of the city. In 1835, Columbus numbered eighteen so-called dry goods stores, where could be found, with dry goods, goods not dry —whisky, rum, and other strong drinks. Also, groceries, hats, caps, stoves, shoes, in fact everything for the comfort and use of outward and inner man and woman. Columbus had two weekly newspapers, no dailies, four steam manufac- tories, five churches, one bank, five ministers, twelve law- 3 G4 Semi-Centennial Manwal of the yers, twelve doctors and one dentist. For illuminating pur- poses, we are told, tallow dips were used, and the streets were unlighted. Briefly, we draw a few comparisons between now and then, and find squares measured by the mile, north, south and east of Hodgkin’s pond, covered with substantial improvements, the pond drained by sewers, abundant water furnished the city by the Holly system, costly public build- ings, handsome residences, churches, school houses, banks, steam mills, rolling mills, factories of various kinds by the dozen, and for the city and county, a new and well appointed infirmary. Of newspapers, daily, weekly and monthly, we have forty-one. We have numerous and elegant dry goods stores, filled with choicest goods and fabrics of every descrip- tion in their line. Groceries, wholesale and retail. where all articles may be found in that line of trade, but no pins, or tape, or calico. High street made brilliant by electric light, gas for our - houses—and for our streets, darkness made visible by coal oil lamps! We have ministers, lawyers, doctors, dentists— we have not counted them, but sufficient in number, in ability and skill, to minister to the spiritual and physical wants of the population, estimated to-day at about 70,000. We have other glimpses of Columbus in the early days, as it appeared to a traveler, told most pleasantly by him in let- ters, extracts from which we are permitted tocopy. The first one dates March 9th, 1831, and describes the journey from Zanesville to Columbus, the city itself, and surrounding scenery. Of the scenery, he says: ‘* When the day dawned, and the sun rose from beneath the eastern forest, it disclosed the fairest sight I have beheld this side of the Alleghanies. Co- lumbus is generally acknowledged to be the most beautifully situated town in the State. To the eye which delights in the prospect of natural scenery, either desire of hill and dale, forest and river, it presents attractions of no ordinary kind. Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 3D The location is so elevated on the ascending bank of the Scioto as to command a complete view of the western horizon, which extends quite to a semi-circle, and is level as the horizon of the ocean. The sunsets are glorious beyond description, and almost every evening the west presents a scene which, while it invites the skill, would, I fear, baffle the cunning of the most glowing pencil.’’ We look across the Scioto upon the same level plain to-day, and see factories and elevators, lines of railroad, trains of all that make up a busy, bustling town. To the westward, upon the cars, hundreds of homes, churches, school houses hills, magnificent asylums, which bespeak the State’s wise ‘beneficence. South of these, a large city, the city of the Silent Dead! How changed the scene since fifty years have gone—all but the glorious sunsets which he describes so well. They return unchanged for us. We would like to make other selections from these pen pictures, fresh and new to us, though written so many years ago, and which come in, we think, very aptly, but we must take up matters relating to our own special subject. County infirmaries were tirst designated ‘poor houses.” The Legislature, on the 8th of March, 1831, passed an act to authorize the establishment of a poor house in any county ofthe State. By authority of this act, the Commissioners of Franklin County, in 1882, bought a farm, erected a building, and by the first of February following were ready for the reception of inmates—the helpless, hopeless poor of the city and county. The first physician of the institution was Dr. William M. Awl, the husband of our oldest and one of our most honored living members, who has been in continuous active service since the first organization of the Society. But in the city, as in all cities, there was another class of worthy, industrious poor, who needed sympathy, kindly advice and temporary pecuniary aid in their own homes. For this class no pro- 36 Semi-Centennial Manual of the vision had been made. The good women of Columbus recognized the need. The Female Benevolent Society was the result. The spirit and purpose which actuated these Christian women are best told by themselves, in the preamble to their constitution. We transcribe it verbatim: ‘¢ PREAMBLE. ‘* With the many charitable and benevolent associations of the present day, founded upon the principles of kindness and humanity, we indulge the hope that this Society will be accepted by Him who is the widow’s God and the Father of the fatherless, and the humble instrument in His hands of diffusing His blessing upon them whom he has, in his wise - providence, sent both poverty and affliction. And as com- bined efforts may do much in ameliorating the condition of the destitute and the sick, may we cheerfully unite in this ° benevolent undertaking, encouraged to persevere, notwith- standing the smallness of our means, with a feeling of confi- dence that our humble endeavors to mitigate sickness, and pour the balm of consolation into the abodes of sickness and poverty, will be blest of God, and receive his favor if we tire not. In consideration of which, the ladies of Columbus deem it expedient to unite in this interesting object.” Mrs. John Patterson drew up the constitution, which was presented to the first meeting, and adopted. ‘The first officers were: Mrs. James Hoge, President; Mrs. E. W. Sehom, Vice President ; Mrs. Noah H. Swayne, Treasurer ; Miss M. Kelly, then a young school girl, now Mrs. Judge Bates, Sec- retary. The Board of Managers consisted of the following ladies: Mrs. William Awl, Mrs. Demas Adams, Mrs. Ralph Osborn, Mrs. Moses Jewett, Mrs. Samuel Crosby, Mrs. John Bailhache, Mrs. Benjamin Blake, Mrs. Joseph Ridgway, Jr., Mrs. D. Woodbury, and Mrs. A. Van Horn. The first business meeting was held at the house of Mrs. Adams, at which visitors were appointed for the three wards Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 37 into which the city was then divided: North ward—Mrs. J. B. Harvey, Mrs. Robert Riordan, Mrs. Joseph Ridgway, Jr., Mrs. Charles Sterritt, Mrs. J. B. Crist, and Miss Sarah Gill. Middle ward—Mrs. Demas Adams, Mrs. William T. Martin, Mrs. Benjamin Blake, Mrs. J. M. Epsy, Mrs. Moses Jewett, and Mrs. L. Reynolds. South ward—Mrs. James Cherry, Mrs. John Mcllvaine, Mrs. John Patterson, Mrs. A. Van Horn, Mrs. McCarty, and Mrs. T. Woodbury. A purchasing committee, consisting of Mrs. John Patter- son and Mrs. Noah H. Swayne, was appointed to buy cloth for garments to be made and distributed among the poor, whose necessities were said to be great. In April, 1836, the Society formed a subordinate society to educate the children of the poor. In April, 1837, the late Hon. Alfred Kelley donated the Society a lot of ground on Fourth street, as a site for a school house. A small school house was erected on the lot, and a free school was opened and continued there for eight years, or until the Free School System, under the laws of the State, went into operation in the city. Messrs. D. T. Woodbury, Joseph Ridgway, Jr., and P. B. Wilcox were constituted an Advisory Board. These gentlemen named above are the only ones, we believe, ever connected with the management of the business or meet- ings of the Society until this evening. |The present officers, feeling unequal to these public exercises, have called to their aid their own pastors, a steadfast friend of the Society, and sweet singers, to make this occasion interesting and worthy of your attendance. The Society was incorporated by act of Legislature March 5, 1838. The act provided that Mary P. Cressy, Maria M. Espy, Sarah Asbury, Maria S. Preston, Mary S. Kelley, Caroline Dryer, Keziah Stone, and other associates, being females who now are, or may hereafter, agreeable to the constitution and by-laws of the Columbus Benevolent Society, 38 Semi-Centennial Manwal of the become members, are declared a body corporate, with per- petual succession, for the purpose of administering to the wants and alleviating the distressed and afflicted of their own sex, and also affording moral, physical and intellectual in- struction and improvement to orphans and other poor chil- dren. Armed now with authority of the State, these good women were ready to prosecute the good work. That the founda- tions were well and wisely laid, we have evidence in our day. The monthly records for the first few years are not at our disposal. The Society held their meetings at the houses of different members, most frequently at the house of Mrs. Espy, Mrs. Joel Buttles and Mrs. A. Chittenden. Among those mentioned for faithful service is Mrs. I. G. Dryer, asa ‘*valued and efficient President.’’ Her removal from the city is spoken of as an almost irreparable loss to the Society. Miss Mary E. Stewart, afterward Mrs. Joseph Geiger, dis- charged the duties of Secretary and Treasurer for eleven years? Mrs. Alfred Kelley, at one time Vice-President, is remem- bered as one devoted to the work, who, while rarely absent from the meetings of the Society, manifested her interest by generous contributions to the last day of her life. Mrs. John N. Champion was a zealous worker, for thirty years a visitor. Two or three days before her death, evidently feeling that her end was approaching, she called to her bedside Mrs. W. A. Hershiser, and requested her to take charge of her district and care for the poor. Her daughter, Mrs. J. H. Godman, has since been associated with her. Mrs. John Butler com- pleted a term of thirty-eight years as a visitor. With her there was no weariness in the work. She attended the meet- ings and visited her district a few days before her last illness. In her last conscious moments her thoughts were with her poor, and with strength and voice fast failing, vainly endeav- ee Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 39 ored to make known some wish of hers in regard to them. Doubtless some here recall other names and worthy service not known to us. With few exceptions, all those whose names we have recalled have passed to the spirit land, but may we not believe that among the crowd of witnesses they hold in full survey these commemorative scenes to-night. We note that at the quarter century Mrs. James L. Bates was acting President. We glean other items of interest from the records, but we must not weary you with too many. Some time during the year 1855 the Industrial School Asso- ciation was formed, of which the first officers were: Mrs. Hannah Neil, President; Miss Matilda Gwynne, Secretary, and Miss Ann Robinson, teacher. This Industrial School was, in November, 1870, transferred by the managers of the Hannah Neil Mission to the Benevolent Society, under whose fostering care it has since flourished. The work of this school, as is well known, consists in collecting poor children, once a week, Saturday afternoons, for the purpose of giving them instructions in plain sewing, in morals and manners. In 1876, it was found desirable to organize a Dorcas Branch of the Benevolent Society. The special mission of this branch is to collect and to distribute second-hand clothing, bedding, etc., upon the order or recommendation of visitors of the Benevolent Society. We linger a moment as we turn from the past to the pres- ent, questioning: Have we worthily followed in the footsteps of our, predecessors, been animated by the same spirit, been true to their purposes? The answer will be given when the Master calleth us to follow those who have gone before. We have outward and visible evidence that the Benevolent Soci- ety has kept pace with the growth and development of the city. Comparisons again suit our purpose: In 1835 the city was divided into three districts, with eighteen visitors, In 1885 we have twenty-three districts, with forty-six visitors. 40 Semi-Centennial Manual of the These, with the officers and members of the active commit- tees, officers and teachers of the Industrial School, make the working force of the Benevolent Society to-day nearly one hundred. The finances of the Society, an important element in this work, will be presented in a separate paper, and we trust will show prudent management. We mention donations and bequests to the Permanent Fund: The first gift of the kind was from the sale of the school lot, donated by the Hon. Alfred Kelley, $500; State Capital Festival, $200; Second Ward bounty fund, $200; Matilda A. Edmiston fund, a memorial gift from her daughter (Mrs. Henry C. Noble), $1,000, and from the Dr. Lincoln Goodale estate $16,885.67. The interests on these bequests has furnished a reliable income, which has largely contributed to the prosperity of the Society. We would write the names of these, our gen- erous benefactors, in letters of gold. Life memberships have added $950 to the Permanent Fund. The payment of $25 constitutes a life membership, and exemption thereafter from annual dues. We suggest that this would be a suitable time, this Semi Centennial Anniversary, to make one’s self, friend, wife or daughter a Life Member. 1884 has been an uneventful year, and furnished little material for the historical sketch assigned to us in these Semi- Centennial exercises. Upon our records are four genera- tions, great-grandmother, grandmother, mother and daugh- ter, connecting links in sweet charity. The trying problem we have to solve at present is: What shall we do with the Industrial School and Dorcas Commit- tee? Must we abandon work so excellent for want of a suit- able and permanent place of meeting? Our experience in the Industrial School in this respect has been most unfortu- nate. We move from room to room, as opportunity offers, each time hoping it will be our last change. A term or two, and we are told the room is needed. Submissively we go, Columbus Female Benevolent Society. eee but with a sense of humiliation and discouragement, of which we will not speak at length. At present the school meets in the basement room of the First Presbyterian Church, with an average attendance of 250 scholars. To keep the school together we are glad to secure it, and are grateful for it, but it is unsuited to the purpose. Physicians advise ayainst it; to some it is damp; we know it is dark and badly ventilated. A few of our best teachers have this season been compelled to give up their classes, and we need more teachers, not less —but we cannot urge others to come. Every Saturday after- noon we meet the same perplexities: an overcrowded room, dampness, darkness, impure air, and we ask, with anxiety, How long will these officers and teachers be able to endure it? By courtesy of the City Physician, the Dorcas Commit- tee meet in his room. They had no other place. We leave the Industrial School and look in upon them, finding nearly the same condition of things—a small and inconvenient room, an atmosphere heavy with nameless odors. The question re- peats itself, How long will these heroic women be able to endure it? We state these facts here to-night, with the hope that some one may suggest accommodations better suited— nay, worthy the workers and the work. We acknowledge our further obligations to the City Physi- cian for valuable assistance, rendered cheerfully, in investi- gating doubtful cases. and in honoring, so far as possible, all requests made by the visitors in aid of cases investigated and considered worthy by them. With the organization known as the Hannah Neil Mission and Home of the Friendless, we are in perfect harmony, and work in accord. Indeed, we are members one with another, and being so, each organization sustains and aids the other. The -new year, the beginning of another half century, opens before us. How many days and years will be granted us matters not, so that in our appointed places we are found watching when the bridegroom cometh. MRS. HERMAN M. HUBBARD, President. January 5, 1885. AQ Semi-Centennial Manual of the SEMI-CERNTEININ DATS Aad Rito: BY WILLIAM G. DESHLER. (Revised,) To span a half century in half an hour, and measure the quiet work done in the back streets and alleys of our city by this organized Charity, which ‘‘vaunteth not itself,’ is an agreeable duty, and is but simple justice to the Society, upon this Semi-Centennial Anniversary. To report that work, from lips not sealed by membership, as the obedient servant of those who serve where the cup of cold water and the crust of bread are a feast indeed, is an appreciated honor, at this Birthday Festival. —~ THE CoLumMBusS FEMALE BENEVOLENT SocrETy was born of woman’s practical sympathy with sorrow. The cholera of 1833 had decimated the three thousand inhabitants of Co- lumbus, leaving in the broad swath of Death’s scythe a harvest of desolation. From many homes of the pioneer town went up the despairing cry of widowhood and orphan- age. In response thereto, the women gathered at the Town Street Methodist Church, fifty years ago this afternoon, and organized this Society, that they might systematically aid those of their own sex who were bereft. In the line of its initiation, in its own field of labor, this Society has since continued its good work. Yet it knows that wives are widowed, and children are orphaned, when husbands and fathers are helpless upon beds of illness, and it ministers accordingly. The centuries teach that to woman rather than to man be- longs the care of the widow and the orphan. From the rude ee Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 4S feudal days, when the noble born Knight of the Temple, fresh from the blessing of the church, ‘‘Sans peur et sans reproche,”’ went upon his chivalric crusade ‘‘ to protect the widow and the fatherless,”” down to the present day, when the official doles out the public charity—generally with an eye single to the next election—the fact remains that therein man is not a success. The noble knight, with his emblazonment of purity, fell to be an unprincipled soldier of fortune, while chivalry declined to senseless tournament, with ‘* Queens of Love and Beauty ” protected, rather than the widow or the orphan. And too often do the promises upon the campaign flag of the modern candidate become, in their fulfillment, but the low arts of the politician. The General Assembly of the State of Ohio declared this Society to be a ‘* body corporate, with perpetual succession.”’ As villages grow into towns, and as towns becumes cities, the ratio of the poor in the population increases; hence the need of such perpetuity. The legislators had read ‘‘ The poor ye have a/ways with you,” knew that woman’s sympa- thy is cotemporaneous therewith, and therefore made the life of this Society endless ; a perpetual stream of mercy, bearing upon its living waters healing to the sick, food to the hungry and consolation to the dying. The Constitution provides: ‘The purpose of this Society is to seek the poor in the city of Columbus, and provide them relief, aid, instruction, or employment, as may be deemed best.” To prevent imposition, the city is divided into small districts, and the worthy poor screened out from the unworthy. These seekings are through alleys, up rick- ety stairs, down into noisome cellars, and amid surroundings where the club of the policeman must overshadow, with its protection, the hand that bears the blessing while ministering to delicate women and sick children, who have not elsewhere to lay their heads. 4d Semi-Centennial Manual of the There are forty-six Visitors, to whom the funds for their respective districts are appropriated at the monthly meetings. Each Visitor reports at that time, ona printed blank, the names of the recipients, the sum disbursed, for what purpose, total drawn to date, total expended to ‘date, total remain- ing on hand to date, total number visited, and remarks upon special cases. These blanks are filled, returned, and filed with the business system of any well-conducted bank. The work is done at a minimum of cost. As the eye gathers from the page before it the written words, and lifts them to the tongue for delivery, with like economy and directness are the collections and distributions made. Not one cent is paid, not a single article is retained as pay, per- quisite, salary, or personal expense, by any one connected with the Society. From 1835 to 1869, the record is incomplete. Since 1869 the cash handled amounts to fifty-one thousand two hundred dollars ($51,200), while the expenses have been one hun- dred and twenty-two dollars ($122), being less than twenty- four cents on each hundred dollars. These expenses have been for postage, printing, stationery and books, for which proper vouchers were taken. The Society pays rent, dis- - penses medicines, provides fuel, procures nurses, purchases food, but gives no money to the poor. The impositions of short weight and scant measure, so often practiced upon those compelled by poverty to buy in small quantities, are prevented, while fair prices and good quality are secured. The cash value of the unnumbered articles of clothing and furniture, and the fuel and medicines collected and dis- tributed, cannot be given, nor even estimated; page after page records these without affixing valuations. The books of the Secretary and Treasurer are models of neatness, and are kept in as business like a manner as are those of any firm in our city. Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 46 In life among the lowly, where the loom of poverty has so grotesquely interwoven in web and woof the fine and coarse threads of humanity, the experiences of the Visitors are varied. They range from sympathizing visits to those, who, having seen better days, suffer in sad silence, to appearing as complainant at the Police Court in enforcing the law upon some brazen amazon for cruelty to helpless youth or babbling senility. The Visitors deal summarily with those persistent women beggars who pretend to seek work which they avoid when offered. This resolution appears upon the books: ‘* feesolved, that the cases of Mrs. M. and Mrs. H. should be reported through the daily papers, and the public warned against them’’; which was done. Thus we see that even woman can deal sternly with her own sex, when necessary, to prevent cruelty or imposition. Yet cases are recorded, where palpable suffering existed, prompt attention was given, and no questions asked, thus proving that woman is not a strict constitutional constructionist; as, while head and heart debate the cause, her woman’s hand gives swift judgment, and to season justice, turns the scale to Mercy’s side. The Visitors are artists who deal in pictures of home and homeless life. Upon the easels in their studios, hot fevers give tone and color, while Death’s monochromatic brush paints sadly real such studies as ‘‘ Mercy’s Dream,” “Night,” ‘©Our Poor Relations,” and ** The Stricken Fawn.”’ The artist Visitors drape partly nude figures, combining the useful with the beautiful in exquisite taste. This criti- cism was lately made by a competent critic. As the draping of a ** Study in Ebony”’ was completed in somewhat loosely- flowing folds, the ‘‘Study”’ suddenly vivified into a statu- esque figure, posed for a moment in admiring self-survey, and startled the artist by blurting out, ‘‘ Golly, Missus, but you’s a daisy; say, you kids, ain’t I gay?” as the lately ragged urchin executed a double shuffle in his new suit of old 46 Semi-Centennial Manwal of the clothes. Imprisoned in every block of marble, a beauteous Venus awaits release by the masterthand ; so, hidden within the ragged jacket ot every boy, a chord of humanity, attuned responsive, awaits the touch of kindness. The artist Visitors decorate interiors, producing effects in glows of warmth which are impressive. An Interior.—Up haif a dozen broken steps from the muddy alley, and we enter a small room. In onecorner, upon a broken bedstead, lies a sick woman, with a crying baby, while upon the sloppy floor two little unkempt boys are playing with a kitten. The fire in the cracked cook-stove is nearly out, and the chill air of the snow-thawing day is keenly felt in that sunless room. In the foreground is a chair, turned up on its side, upon which is a tub half filled with partly-washed clothes, wherein leans a wash-board, flecked with bubbles and splashes of suds. Upon a table, by the only window, are tins, cracked crockery, a frying pan and some broken bread. The white- washed walls are zig-zagged with dirty cracks, while crumb- ling holes divide with a few cheap chromos the mural orna- mentation. Under a corner cupboard is a pile of soiled clothes, whereon, nestled in a frowsy curl, the mother cat is dozing ; she at least seems comfortable. Artist Visitor enters —‘‘ What’s the matter, Mrs. W——, are you down again?” ‘“Yes, mum. Just look at that pile of clothes ; I no sooner get well enough to wash again, and get started with wash places, than I get sick, and lose them all. I felt pretty well, and sent word to Mrs. —— that I could do her washing this week. I got it, and went to work. But the old trouble came on, and here I am; and the baby’s sick, too.”’ The poor woman is broken down by hard work, and the care that came with the long illness and death of her husband, a short time previously. ‘* Well, well, don’t take on so, we'll see about it,” replies the Visitor, and proceeds to decorate. A doctor is'sent for, a woman is found to take the unfinished wash, the tub put away, the floor mopped up, the fire started, Columbus Female Benevolent Society. AT. the woman made comfortable, the doctor comes, the baby cared for, and, with the smaller boy, is bundled up and sent to the Home of the Friendless, a nurse is found for the woman, and with a promise to callin the morning, the Visitor departs. The woman’s name goes upon the books of the Society, and she is cared for until well, when work is found for her, and her little fatherless family is once more united. _ The Visitors are physicians, who minister where babes are born heirs to the hovel, where lingering illness prolongs the painful nights, and where they close the eyes of the wan child or woman in that long sleep, that is better than the waking in this cold world of ours. As handmaids of the Lord, they bear the glad evangels of His pure religion to the fatherless and the widow in their affliction. And their last whisperings of consolation to the penitent, homeless outcast strangely blend with angelic welcomes floating from the threshold of the Father’s house. That charity, like mercy, is an attribute of God, is twice blessed, blessing ‘‘ him that gives and him that takés,? is proven in the experience of the Visitors. Upon that higher plane of life, where abideth Faith, Hope and Charity, in the service of the greatest of these, is developed all that is pure and lovely in woman’s character. In the cultivation of that garden, wholesome and sweet fruits are grown from rooted sorrow. From the parterre of choicest culture, are exhaled the fragrant odors of grace and mercy, a continuing bene- diction of beneficence upon those whe labor for His brethren, and therefore for Him. Yes, the garden where you labor Is the vineyard of the Lord. From the crushings of His vintage, For His workers, wine is poured ; From the reapings of His harvest, To His workers, bread is given ; But the fullness of His wages, Is His treasured joy of Heaven. 48 Semi-Centennial Manual of the From 1835 to 1885, the story is lyric; though it were better told in an epic of fifty cantos, heroic in deeds of silent suffering. Are these but overdrawn pictures? Then go with a Visitor upon her rounds, and learn what life and death are down in the sunless retreats, where your unfortunate sisters do not live, but simply stay. Who are the poor? and what to do for the poor? are ques- tions as old as civilization, and yet remain unsolved prob- lems. The public treasury, church revenues, organized charities and private purses, cannot blot out that which is written: ‘*The poor ye have a/ways with you.”” And why is it so? In mind and matter, dead levels are but impure stagnations; in all languages there are adjectives. Inequalities produce currents, and currents are life: ~The poor cause humanity’s heart to pulsate healthfully, and open exhaustless springs whence well up sympathies, not strained in quality, blessing all from source to end of flow. Itis written: ‘¢ If any would not work, neither should he 2? eat.’ This is the key note; it sifts out poverty from pauper- ism. The poor man will work, and will not beg ; the pauper will beg, and will not work. From pauperism to crimeis but a step downward, and is easily taken. It is not charity to sink deserving poverty into hopeless pauperism by the senti- mentality or carelessness of promiscuous giving; but it iS. true charity to go with the poor, and aid in search of work until it be found. With the transition from the old to the new dispensation, from Jewish alms-giving to Christian charity, came discrimi- nation between the worthy and the unworthy poor. The ancient Christian Church gave husband’s care to the widow, procured work for those out of work, cared for those incapa- ble of working, provided shelter for strangers, food for the hungry, visits for the sick, and help for those in prison for debt or for conscience sake. The tramp, the idler, the ee Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 49 drunken, and those in distress through their own fault were not helped. Beggary was not fostered; but those who, through age, sickness or infirmity, could not work, were properly esteemed, and not shunned because they received aid. It was the duty of the deacons and deaconesses to look after the poor, record their names and needs, and to receive from the church food, clothing and medicines for proper dis- tribution. It is significant that the methods of the Church fifteen hundred years ago are substantially those adopted by this Society. Long before the Christian Church, that deformed Grecian slave, who brought ever fresh epigrams, of old wine wisdom, from the mouth of bird and beast, taught that both Hercules and man will be called upon in vain where the strong arm, refusing work, extends the open palm supplicatingly upward in prayer, or the hollowed hand suppliantly outward for help. And why? Because he is not poor, who, having a strong arm, will not use it. Long before A#sop, and by a greater than Paul, it was said of man: ‘‘In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.”’ Brain throbs are internal sweat beads, and properly caused give health to mind and body, making sweet the bread thus produced. If voluntarily there be neither throbs nor beads, there shall be no bread. Neither shall the lazy beg and receive money, whichis but the co7ned throbs or beads, and is the store of past or present labor. Yet those who are unable to work, either in mind or body, may ask and receive, from those who possess, of their God-given store. The Great Source of that ‘‘ Charity that never faileth,” has said: ‘Freely ye have received, freely give.” ‘‘ The poor”’—but not faupers—*‘ ye have always with you.” The highest .charity—the foundation upon which the Temple of Christian Unity some day will be builded—is that principle which inspires a human being to be the most Christ- like in thought, word and deed, towards another human 4 50 Semi-Centennial Manual of the being, who is worthy, regardless of race, blood, creed or condition. It proceeds from that love which gave the only Begotten Son; was twin born with the Babe of Bethlehem; was christened ‘‘Charity” by the Divine Teacher, was pro- claimed law by the King of Glory; and was given to man from the cross by the Son of God as the Holy Creed of His pure religion. That principle is holier than mother’s love, than human creed ; is higher than patriotism, and wider than citizenship. Mother's love is but the spontaneous and continuing opera- tion of the natural law of human gravitation, with its own laws as fixed as are those of terrestial gravity, and each babe a world’s center. Forher young, the wren will fight the owl. What are human creeds but the formulas of individual no- tions. Whenmen said, ‘‘Iamof Paul,” ‘‘I am of Cephas,”’ ‘‘I am of Apollos,” and ‘‘I of Christ,” they forged the theological chains with their links of essentials and non-essentials which have shackled religion for centuries. Then followed disputa- tions, which begat wranglings, which begat intolerance, which begat persecutions, which begat martyrdoms. Then was Charity coffined in the tomb of Dogma, before which was rolled the stone of Wrath, and guarded by Anathema and Torture. The seeds of tradition were then planted, and Bible. verities turned to conflicting shibboleths. There came at length a Resurrection Morn ; but not yet has come the fullness of Ascen- sion Day, as the cerements of that burial yet cling to the ever freshly-wounded, resurrected body of Heaven-born Charity. Will not the Holy Spirit of Christian Unity be breathed upon those shackling chains, that they fall—an emancipation of Love at the feet of Religion. Then, in a worship creedless save the Great Atonement, with a hymnody based on— “ Just as I am, without one plea, But that thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bids’t me come to thee, O, Lamb of God, I come”— and formless or formal, in the solitude of the desert, Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 51 alone in the closet, at the hearthstone of the home, with the congregation in the church, or among the multitude upon the mountain side, anywhere—so it be “in spirit and in truth ”’—otherwise nowhere, can men truly say, “‘and I of Christ.” There is but one Christianity—a living service of God through Christ. There are many theologies, and the stronger the dividing walls of the schools, the more does Christianity suffer, as Christian Unity is delayed. Certainly, Christian Unity will not come so long as each school insists that all other schools, forsaking their errors, shali cleave to it as the only one without error. Unity will come when, after reasoning together as brethren, and not as disputants to defend preconceived notions, ai the schools shall teach and practice a// of the doctrine taught by the Divine Preacher in that most ‘wonderful, fundamental and complete doctrinal Sermon onthe Mount, which was preached to us, as well as to that astonished multitude gathered from all the country round about. Mere analogy suggests that a **Church Triumphant’ can hardly be sequent to inharmonious Schools Militant. When the precepts there taught shall be planted so deep in the heart of every Christian that they abide and bring forth the fruit of the highest charity, then the dividing walls, though laden almost to concealment by fragrant flowers, will crumble. From the rich mold of that decay, a new fragrance will arise; from the perfect intermingling of root, and branch, and flower—the fragrance of sweet charity, Because those walls yet stand, though they be flower-laden, and even though roses, grown in highest sunlight, sometimes drop to the other side, does Charity mourn, but Hope points Faith to the future as History reads: ‘These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to Heaven. Neither pray I for df Semi-Centennial Manual of the these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word, that they all may be one,as thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us, even as we are one, and that the world may know that Thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved me.”’ Nature perfects beauty of form and structure by the cohe- sive attraction of crystallization in the inorganic kingdom, Nature evolves beauty of form and structure from the germ by growth in the organic kingdom. In the nature of ¢rue Christianity, there must come a complete oneness of form and structure through the cohesive attraction, and the growth of the highest charity ; else that divine prayer is vain. In the grandeur of Rome, with her Senate and her Pan- theon, there was no charity; it was liberality born of vanity. They cared for their own poor only, to gain applause or dis- tinction, or to court the favor of the populace. Self love prompted the giving of aid, that envy might follow. Israel, under her Theocracy, had no charity ; it was simply alms-giving. The Jews cared for their own poor only, as a duty to the State, and therefore to the Church, under the law. Love did not inspire the giving of aid. What of ourselves, good people? There was no charity when history discovered our Briton ancestors, in their heathenish human sacrifices of Druidism—not upon sin- gle altars only, but in wholesale slaughter and fire. In its earliest pages, we are told how our ances- tral Saxons worshipped the Great Woden of their Val- halla. Their mystic faith, with its auguries and horrible rites, looked up to a heaven of eternal joy, where, my bloody combat by day, and drunken carousal by night, they should drink mixed blood and wine from the skulls of their enemies.” The later pages tell us that from the far east came a herald ray of light, and that, soon the sweet influ- ences of the Star of Bethlehem operated upon the hearts of Columbus Female Benevolent Society. dP our ancestors, through the Holy Spirit of that charity which is neither liberality nor alms-giving. Later, the Lamp of Science, lit at the dying embers of the last sacrificial altar, dimly glowed in that moral and mental night, dissipating superstition as it revealed the secrets of nature, and made possible the civilization of to-day. Please remember at mid- week prayer meeting that, from Woden to Wednesday, the line is ancestral in our families. Because of the broken chain of record during the early years of this Society, no close figures can be given; but suf- ficient links are found to show that the work was then rela- tively equal to that of to-day. There were then not so great distinctions in village or town life. The inhabitants were mutually helpful neighbors, who gathered in the afternoons in each other’s best rooms, at quiltings, sewing circles and business meetings; talked over the births and deaths, the last sermon, the best way to make apple butter, soap, sausage and candles; discussed the latest fashions, the new Benevo- lent Society, the coming wedding, and the cheap cash store, where they sold a calico dress pattern ‘‘eight yards three- quarters wide, with a box of hooks and eyes, two skeins of thread and a bolt of tape, all for one dollar,’ which made ‘‘a 2 gown nice enough for Sundays.” Our grandmothers and mothers, in the days of ‘*‘ Auld Lang Syne,” gave their cups of cold water and crusts of bread with the tender love and sym- pathy that said: ‘*She is my neighbor, and therefore is my sister.”’ They transacted the business, made their reports, and drank their tea at the meetings of the young Benevolent Society in cups of loving kindness, gossiped a while, and were home before early candle light. During the later years, sudden emergencies, under great public calamity have called the machinery of the Society into full and immediate action. Being always at work in its own d4 Semi-Centennial Manual of the sphere, it was thus ready to take the lead and continue to the end in properly gathering and distributing. The Chicago fire, the Ohio and Scioto river floods, and the ‘‘ stone pile year,’’ are notable cases. During the rebellion, the Society was constantly and industriously at work for the widows and children of the ‘* brave boys who fell.”” The work thus done, the moneys thus handled, the garments thus made, and the medicines and delicacies thus distributed, are not included in the figures above given; they embrace only the regular work among the poor in Columbus. The Constitution and By-Laws of this Society are simple, yet comprehensive, the machinery direct in action with the mininum of friction. The door of membership is guarded by timely consideration of names proposed; thus the Society will continue under control of the best people of our city. The nursery is in the Life Memberships. As the little ones come to the family, their names should be enrolled in the school of this non-sectarian church, that they may become active, well-drilled members, educated in their sympathies, as well as in judgment, by association with the older members. There are now thirty-five Life Members. Should there not be fifty at the close of this semi-centennial year? . The Constitution provides a Permanent Fund, derived from bequests, donations and life membership fees ; the principal to be kept securely invested, the income only to be used. This fund is now twenty-one thousand three hundred dollars, and is wisely limited by law. It may seem strange that a fund devoted to charity should be limited. Were it otherwise, the income of a vast fund distributed in Columbus would draw to us many worthy poor who legitimately belong elsewhere, and flood our city with paupers who legitimately belong nowhere. ‘This fund, the widow’s cruse, a source when other sources fail, is also the Columbus Female Benevolent Society. d5 foundation rock upon which the Society will stand during its long line of perpetual succession. The Constitution provides that the ‘* Society shall create no indebtedness whatever,” thus relying from time to time upon open hands and heart promptings, in response to the calls from those who discreetly manage this charity. ‘As the day is, so shall the strength be,’’ and there be no need to draw upon those to come after us; relieving ourseives through debt contracted for them to pay. The Constitution protects the permanency of the Society, insomuch as no amendment shall be made thereto, except at an annual meeting, by a vote of two-thirds of all the mem- bers—sixty days written’ notice of any proposed amendment having been given. That the founders laid the base deep and strong, and that the later members have builded well, this useful and beautiful structure of fifty years is evidence. -Pauperism is directly encouraged and cultivated by indis- criminate giving of money without proper inquiry, in response to piteous tales. One of the best benevolent societies in our land requires a pledge from its members that they give neither money, food nor clothing to street or door applicants. It is such a quiet compromise with conscience to give a dime or a dollar rather than to walk a few blocks with an appli- cant to the nearest agency of some charity, and leave the aid there, to be properly used, after examination. This society publishes, by newspaper and by special card, its list of visitors, defining their districts. A note from any known citizen given to any applicant—stating the case and the writer’s desire—to any Visitor, wil! receive prompt atten- tion, and the poor thereby be assisted rather than the pauper fed another mouthful. ; This Society has two branches, the Dorcas Committee and the Industrial School. The Dorcas Committee is constantly in search of old garments, furniture and the like, for distribu- tion, and also collects material with which to give employ- 56 Semi-Centennial Manual of the ment to those who can do work only at their own homes, in consequence of age or infirmity. It is also an intelligence office, to be used by those desiring either to employ or be employed. The work of this branch is too vast to be coliated, as the items of collections and distributions are so varied that no estimate of value can be kept. The work of the Industrial School—the orphaned adopted daughter of the parent Soci- ety values, as the result of this work reaches into eternity. It cannot be measured by figures; here they express no gathers from street and alley the little wild waifs, washes them, combs their tangled hair, puts on them clean clothes, a needle, thread, and piece of patch-work into their hands, and sets them to work. ‘Then for the first time they are im- bued with a sense of self respect; their fingers and tongues turned to new uses, they become bright and happy children. May there not be in some hair-streaming waif a Saint Agnes, and may not the first day at the Industrial School be the turning point from a course of life leading to wreck? When that glad time comes that children of happy homes gather around their Christmas trees, laden with things bright and beautiful, then also do these little ones gather around their Christmas tree, grown by the fair hands and loving care of the teachers, and laden to breaking with fruits sweet, beauti- ful and useful. Then, too, from their lips, mingled with prayer and praise, do they learn the wonderful story of the manger-born Babe. It is recorded that at these Christmas celebrations a thousand cleanly, well-behaved children par- ticipate. We can estimate the money value to Columbus of one blast furnace, which, from ores, coal and stone, makes two thou- sand tons of iron each month; can we express in figures the mere money value to our city of a corporation, one depart- ment of which, in the conversion of idle, vicious waifs into Columbus Female Benevolent Society. OV industrious children, has so large and valuable an output of best grade product, as has this Society? Men as citizens, and as voters, should deal with the cause of pauperrsm and with paupers. That woman should deal with widows and orphans, the records of this woman’s Society for half a century plainly show. Even if she cannot vote, or talk politics understandingly, she can and does deal practi- cally and intelligently with those of the poor she purposes to care for—those of her own sex who have no claims, upon man, either as husband, father, son or brother. The examination into the methods of management shows that this Society is not composed of *‘ My Ladies Bountiful,” who go about ostentatiously distributing the money or the goods of themselves or others. In no arm’s length, gloved, finger tip, condescending manner, and with no patronizing in- quiries or suggestions do they wound the sensibilities of some of the worthy poor, or make sycophantic pensioners of others, On the contrary, matter of fact and common sense business methods are adopted and pursued. While a vigorous air permeates their affairs, it is tempered by woman's delicate sympathy with the unfortunate. The work and records of the Society are confidential, hence no publication of the names or the needs of their beneficiaries is made. The President has, this evening, told that the pressing want of the Society isa Home. In all these fifty years it has been a guest—either in the little front room of the village, the larger parlor of the town, or in the church of the city. The work is now so large that it is simply impossible to do justice to the public, to the poor, or to the Society, while longer homeless. Is it not fit that a birthday gift of a home be made to the Society during this semi-centennial year? ‘* Charity hopeth all things.’’ Is it too much to hope for fifty life mem- bers, and for a home? As in the past, so in the future, the Cortumspus FEMALE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, waiving all claims of seniority, simply ds Semi-Centennial Manual of the asks that consideration which is due to the nature of its work, and to the methods of its management. Recognizing the good work done by sister societies in the same vineyard, working hand in hand and heart to heart with all, it asks that no one shall give to it because of importunity, or to the detriment of another treasury. Good people, the facts, as taken from the record, have been presented. Is not that one of the best of charities which ‘furnishes supplies rather than money,’’ which ‘*encourages industry and cleanliness, and aids in obtaining employment,” and which rescues innocent children from a life of shame? Are not these faithful women, who ‘ seek the stranger poor,”’ in storm and night, who pour balm into the wounded heart of age, and who protect childhood in quiet yet effective ways, worthy your support, your material aid, and your sympathy? More than a request, less than a command, not quite a con- Cition precedent, it came, that no allusion should be made in this paper to the Executive. As the condition of affairs reflects the management, this Society speaks, as that grand English temple, St. Paul’s, speaks of its builder, ‘‘ S72 gu@rzs monumentum circumspice.” Sweet memories of a long and beautiful life, filled with good deeds to the poor, cling to the old First Presbyterian Church, where the Industrial school has for so many years found a freely-given furnished home. Around that mural tablet—a tribute to the faithful service of the devoted pastor for half a century—‘‘ Industria,’’ the orphaned, adopted daughter of this family, in grateful acknowledgment, en- twines her living tribute, fragrant with the bloomings of fifty years, to be keptever green, a loving memorial of Jane Hoge, the first President of this Society. And now, Mrs. President, Officers, Visitors and Members, - the first centennial leaf in this Columbus Female Benevolent Society’s book of perpetual succession has been turned. The a ; j : a 4 Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 5G page turned from us is written close and full with the good deeds of your predecessors and of yourselves. It is a most honorable record. The page now before you is a blank, upon which is to be written the record of the coming half century. You will begin, but who will complete the page? May we not hope that among the little ones, now Life Mem- bers, there will be some to close the page; and who will, either as officers, visitors or members, review with approval your work, as you have reviewed the work of those who have gone before. Thus may they turn the centennial leaf, and down the centuries may it be written of this stream of mercy : ‘“Men may come, and men may go, But I go on forever.” 60 Semi-Centennial Manual of the THE OV IST LG BY MRS. R. D. HARRISON. While visiting an old colored washer-woman, who had scalded herself and could not work, living in a couple of basement rooms on Gay street, she said to me: ‘* Dar’s a mighty poor woman in dat back room, who comed here de odder evenin’ wid her boy. She’s doin’ nothing but a cryin’ and a carryin’ on, and a huggin’ of dat boy all de time. She’s not so sick, but has jus’ got de mis’ry in her head. She’s mighty proud, if she is poor ; I knows she is quality, though, by de way she acts. I tole her dat dey was welcome to stay in de room, but I couldn’t board them, ’cause I’s not workin’ now, on account ob dis scald. De boy goes out an’ gets what dey eats, an’ it ain’t much, shure. You’d better go in dar an’ see ’em.”’ I knocked at the door—a voice said come in. I entered a small room, dimly lighted by one dirty window, and saw on an old lounge in the corner a middle-aged, intelligent-look- ing woman, who, from her manner, showed that she had been well raised and was well educated. She was partly covered by an old army blanket, and upon the lounge sat a small boy about twelve years old. They evidently had just been eating, as on a little stand was some broken bread, a couple of apples, and a piece of bologna sausage, which she hastily covered with a newspaper. The boy quickly got the only chair in the room, and politely offered it to me. I sat down beside her and began to talk to her. Her responses, Se a eG Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 61 while polite, were quietly yes or no, as she evidently wished to be let alone. The boy, seeing that she was not disposed to talk, said: ‘‘ Please, mamma, do tell the lady, won’t your” After some persuasion, I soon discovered that she had no food, no furniture, nothing, in fact, but the few clothes she had on and what were in a bundle on the floor. She said the colored woman was very kind to her, but that she wished to be alone, and that her boy would soon have a situation which he had been promised. | pressed my inquiries, and finally learned from her that she was a widow, and, with her boy Harry, was alone in the world. That she had pawned everything she had ot value, even down to her wedding ring, and was now where I found her, not knowing what to do next. She had been turned out of the room she had last occupied, because she could pay no more rent. I asked her if she could do fine sewing, or embroidery. She replied: ‘Yes, I have done that from my school days.”’ I told her I was a Visitor of the Ladies’ Benevolent Society ; that if I could not get fine work for her, our Society would lend her a sewing machine, get her some plain sewing to do, and, as a Visitor, I would look after her wants, and get hera room where she could see to work. She turned towards me looked curiously and intently at me for a minute, then rising from the lounge to a standing position, with a dignity of manner she startled me by Saying: ‘It does not become the daughter of Charles Anthony to suggest menial employment to the daughter of General F. When last I was in Colum- bus I visited at the residence of Governor —, aS a guest, when he was the Governor of Ohio.” I rose, and, looking closely at her, said: «Are you Sallie F.?”? She replied, quietly : S waepserah F.. but now I—I am Mrs. B.,” as ‘in a burst of tears she fell back upon the lounge. I took her ‘hand and gradually soothed her into composure. She then 62 Semi-Centennial Manwal of the told me the story of her life since we, as girls, had been ac- quainted. She had married against her father’s wish. For years she and her husband lived happily in a distant town. Meantime her father died, leaving a very large estate, but her name was not in his will. Her husband was engaged in a good business, and she moved in the best social circles at her home. A panic came in business, her husband failed, and, overcome with distress, he died, and left her and her little boy penniless. She left the scene of her sorrow, and turned her steps towards her girlhood home in Ohio. She had wandered about aimlessly, not knowing what to do, liv- ing on the money she obtained from the pawnbroker’s for some solid silver and jewelry she had saved from the wreck. She drifted to Columbus, where she had in her girlhood days —. They were all gone, and a stranger, homeless and with nothing to visited her schoolmates at Mrs. W’s school in do, she had gone from room to room until she had found shelter by the kindness of the colored woman where I found her. Isaidtoher: ‘*Sarah, the wheel has turned round, and now you are at the bottom, but you must let our Society take care of you. We will getthe machine and some work, and as s00n as possible a better room. The colored woman, who let you have her room, says you are too proud to take help from her. You must drop your pride, and now begin to work, and if you work it will not be charity that supports you. I will get a place for your boy.”’ She went to work, and we found her boy a place where he was paid good wages. I procured her a room outside of my district, but I kept my- self informed of her through the Visitor of that district. She did good work, and soon got along without further aid from our Society, and was dropped from our books. Some months after this a note came to me saying: ‘* For God’s sake come to me. I have had no food for twenty- four hours.’’ Signed, ‘‘Sarah,’”’ with her addres. I went immediately out Long street, and in a little room, almost Columbus Female Benevolent Society. 63 bare of furniture, I found her. She said she had gotten into such trouble that she was ashamed to call on me until she was starved into it. She told me that Harry had been arrested for theft; that he was innocent; that he was used by others, and that she had spent all she had and all she could get by selling everything to save her boy, and that he was at last acquitted honorably. Now her heart was broken, she was sick, she had nothing but her boy, and he was not a thief; that he had not a drop of dishonest blood in his veins. After supplying food and fuel, for she had no fire—it was bitter cold—and when turning to leave, she threw her arms around me and said: ‘‘It is not food and fuel but human sympathy that has saved me.”’ Our Society took her in hand again. We soon had her at work and doing well. Her boy was sent to a neighboring town, where he got a place. Again she was dismissed from the care of the Society. And now comes the strangest part of all. One day about six months after Mrs. B. had been dropped from the Society’s books, a lady dressed in a silk dress, sealskin and gay hat, stopped me in front of the Ameri- can Hotel, and extending her hand, said: ‘‘ Mrs. Harrison, don’t you know me?” J looked, and said, ‘‘ Is it possible? Is this you, Mrs. BP Why, what has happened? Has the wheel turned around again? Tell me what has happened?” She was radiant with smiles, and as we turned and walked down the street together, she said: ‘*I was looking for you, to invite you to my wedding, day after to-morrow, at church. We are to be married, and go to to live.” I asked her who her intended husband was. She said: ‘* My first lover. We were children together. We had aquarrel. He is a widower with three children, and lives in ———.” I said: ‘* Why, Sarah, how did this all happen?’’ She said: ‘‘ He saw the notice of Harry’s trial and acquittal in a Co- lumbus paper, came here, and was two weeks hunting me up. He found me, and we are to be married day after to- morrow. He has taken my jewelry and things out of the pawn-broker shop. You must be sure and come to the wed- ding. I want some one there who knew me in I went to her wedding. There were no bridesmai May it never turn again.” She received my congratt with much dignity, and as she pressed my hand she back the tears which came, and whispered, as she embri me: ‘I can never forget that first visit.” She is now M: M Her husband is one of the wealthiest men in the city of , and they live in one of the finest houses on avenue. Any bright afternoon her carriage, W! liveried servants, can be seen in the gay procession of di played wealth in — park. Harry is a promising you business man in one of the largest firms in the western Cit As this is a plain recital of facts which occurred here Columbus, I cannot tell the whereabouts or the conditi that poor colored woman whose accidental scald put h the Visitor’s book. pore os ae Said p 7 ~ Bae a "154230