p. 157 | Untitled article

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, February 18, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 10

Distress Among the People.

It is hardly necessary, we presume, to say to any of our readers that the distress among the poor people of our great cities has been, and is still, unusually great this present winter. We are glad to know, however, that the efforts which have been made to relieve the poor have been in due proportion to the increased destitution. An appropriation by the State Legislature of $500,000 has been proposed for the relief of the poor of New York and Brooklyn. Several establishments for the relief of the poor have been opened in this city, one of which, located at No. 1 Bond Street, we illustrate on page 100. The number of applicants daily at this house alone amounts to 1000 persons. Every day before the opening hour, 10 o’clock A. M., a line of several hundred men, women, and children are to be found waiting for assistance. Among these are bookbinders, carpenters, tailors, shoemakers, and other tradesmen, all out of employment and all suffering. So many persons, and especially mechanics, have not applied in the same time since the “bread or blood” procession in this city. In two instances whole families of children have been taken into the institutions in order that the parents may go to work and save sufficient to support themselves. The plan of relief is, when fuel is required, to send a quarter of a ton at the outset, and two more up to March 1, to such applicants as filled up an application, which is furnished in blank, and have sworn to the truth of the statement made therein, and after its truth has been verified by a visit to their houses. Those who need money, if worthy, receive a dollar, and are desired to call again in two weeks. This, of course, is only a temporary relief.—Harper.