THE BENEVOLENT FUND. 
347 
from the formation of this Society), has, by a payment of one hundred guineas , 
been provided with a home, board, and education in the British Orphan 
Asylum. 
2. By a payment of ten guineas and (unpublished) contributions from individual 
members of the Council, the orphan child of another member has been assisted 
to a home in the same asylum, and to the like advantages mentioned in 
Case 1 (see Case 6). 
3. The orphan daughter of a late member in Southampton has had a grant of 
ten guineas. 
4. The family of a late member at Birmingham have had a grant of five pounds 
to assist in supporting their mother. 
5. A distressed member and his family at Southampton have had a grant of 
twenty pounds. 
6. The widow of a member at Sunderland, mother of the child whose case we 
have referred to (No. 2), has had a grant of twenty-five pounds. 
7. A distressed member at Brighton received a grant of twenty five pounds. 
8. Two annuitants, one an old member from the commencement of the Society, 
and the other the widow of a late member (both highly meritorious cases), have 
been elected to pensions of thirty pounds each. 
9. Two London members have received grants of fifteen pounds each. 
Here, then, are the facts plainly before us. That the action taken by the 
Council had the very practical sanction of our readers has been clearly enough 
shown by the increase of subscriptions. That there are cases of dire distress 
among the families of those of our own calling is placed beyond the possibility 
of doubt. Evidence, painfully incontrovertible, exists to show that but for the 
help given by our Benevolent Fund during the past year, there were those who, 
having passed along the journey of life with an unspotted reputation to nearly 
the allotted period of threescore and ten, must have found refuge in the Poor 
House! 
For many weeks one entire family subsisted upon bread and potatoes 
alone. 
We implore the attention of our readers to these facts. They may rest assured 
that there is no exaggeration. They may feel equally assured of the readiness of 
the Council to minister to the wants of the necessitous, and the urgent need 
for larger funds being at their disposal. 
Again and again, and once again, we beg those who have not yet associated 
themselves with the Benevolent Fund to aid in the good work. There are many 
of our body whose exertions have prospered, and who are blessed with liberal 
means. Have they all lent a helping hand ? Are there none who, from sheer 
thoughtlessness, neglect this obvious duty? We sincerely hope that this appeal 
may fall under the observation of all who, from any cause, have held aloof, and 
yet can afford to give. May the present season and the time-honoured usages 
with which it is associated, stimulate kindly sympathies into practical exertion 
on behalf of the cause for which we plead, and enable us hereafter to report 
a generous and substantial addition to our treasury for the year one thousand 
eight hundred and sixty-six. 
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