Visit to an Alms-house. 175 VISIT TO AN ALMS HOUSE. To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor. SIR, In one of your late Numbers you have inserted the account of a visit made by one of your correspondents to some alms-houses in her neighbourhood, in which she makes some observations on the want of union there too often is found among the inhabitants of these charitable establishments. My own experience has generally tended to confirm this opinion; but there are exceptions to every general rule, and I have lately met with so gratifying an instance of a different spirit, that I cannot refrain from giving you an account of it. I have not long resided in this parish; and, a short time since, paying a visit to one of the poor women in the village, she told me that her mother-in-law, who lived in the alms-house, would be very glad if I would sometimes call and see her. I accordingly went, and found Mrs. Benson, (for so I shall call her) a very respectable woman about sixty-eight. Upon entering into conversation with her, she told me that her husband had occupied a large farm under a nobleman in the neighbourhood, but that, upon the estate being sold, they had been forced to quit it; that the lady of their former landlord had allowed them fifty pounds per annum as long as she lived; but, this annuity ceasing upon her death, they had suffered a great deal from distress during her husband's life-time. At his death, she got into this house, where, though the allowance was barely enough to keep her from absolute want, yet she had the comfort of a room to herself; she could spend her evenings in reading without interruption, * Page 367, Vol. IV. and could go to Church without being interfered with. "To be sure," said she, "if I went to the work house, I should live better; but then I should not have my time to myself, and might be disturbed by children and noisy people. I do sometimes feel the want of a few comforts, but there are two of my neighbours who are worse off than I am, for my son does now and then send me a shilling, and these poor creatures have no friends near them. There is Mrs. Saker, who is seventy-eight, and very lame, and Mrs. Day, who is above eighty, and almost blind." I was pleased to find this concern for her neighbours, and hoped it was a sign that the means of grace she constantly used had had their effect upon her heart. I found that she constantly attended Church and the Sacrament, and read a good deal both to herself and to her blind neighbour. She spoke of religion as her only source of real comfort;and I trust her religion is not that of the lips only. My next visit was to the blind woman, who had not entirely lost her sight, but was unable to distinguish a person, except by the voice. I think I can never forget the impression she made on me. She was eighty-eight, suffering a great deal from ill health, too feeble almost to do any thing for herself, in a very cold room, with her feet upon the damp bricks, only able to allow herself two meals a day, consisting of tea without sugar or milk, and bread either with cheese, or with sugar strewed on it, which she said she found to be cheaper than butter: yet, in the midst of all these discomforts and privations, with her eyes full of tears and her heart singing with joyfulness, I never saw so happy a woman. "I am not afraid to die," said she, "whenever God sees fit: I am ready to go, but willing to wait his good pleasure. Why should I be afraid? My trust is in my blessed Lord and Saviour, and He I know will take me to Himself." Upon asking her whether she generally slept well, she said, "Oh, Visit to an Alms-house. 177 no! I hear the clock strike very often in the night, but I do not mind that, for my Saviour is with me, and comforts me. I live upon His promises. Thank God I mind nothing of that sort. Sin is the only thing that troubles me, either in myself or in others. Sometimes I hear the boys swearing in the streets, and it hurts me so that I have gone out and spoken to them, but it seems to be of but little use." She said she had a great deal to repent of, for in her youth she had been very wicked: "not that I ever fell into what are called great sins; the grace of God preserved me from them-but I forgot GOD, I was careless about my soul, and I often broke the Sabbath. I was a great sabbath-breaker, and sought my own pleasure on the Lord's Day. But God has, I trust, accepted my repentance, and washed away my sins." She now seems cheerful, grateful, and resigned; though sometimes her bodily infirmities appear ready to press her down. I afterwards saw two of the other inhabitants of the alms-house, but had not much conversation with them, as they did not happen to be alone. I was, however, much pleased with their way of speaking about their neighbours; and I have since found that they are very kind in assisting those who are more infirm than themselves. My last visit was to Mrs. Saker, who is seventyeight, and afflicted severely with palsy and rheu matism. Upon my asking her how she did, she answered," Pretty well, I thank you. Thank God I enjoy very good health-I may say very good indeed." "But you are lame, are you not?" "Oh, yes, I am very lame, but I can get about with my stick." "But do you not suffer a good deal of pain." "Yes, at times, a great deal, but not always; I am sometimes quite free." I asked her how she slept; to which she replied, "the last night or two I have slept pretty well, but I can't say I always do." Her neighbour has since told me that she knows that she often suffers most severe pain, though she does not complain. With her, as with Mrs. Day, a regard for the state of her soul seemed the most interesting of all concerns; and the fruits of the Spirit appeared evident in her great patience and resignation. Her conduct may serve to stop the mouths of many who plead inability to attend the Ordinances of God; for, though at some little distance from the Church, with a rough pavement to walk upon, yet, lame as she is, she never fails to attend Divine Service twice every Sunday, and constantly receives the Sacrament, though her hand shakes so that she cannot hold the cup with out assistance. I do not mean that I suppose any of these poor people to be perfect. As they still have a corrupt nature to fight with, they are doubtless subject to many failings and infirmities; but, after several visits, they seem to me to possess that love of God and of their neighbour, which is the only true evidence that they build upon a right foundation. Should you deem this account worthy of a place in your very useful Publication, it may perhaps serve as an example of cheerful resignation to some who are suffering under like trials, and may make those who are apt to think every little trouble a great hardship, blush to see in how different a spirit these humble Christians receive their chastisements. I remain, Sir, February 12, 1825. Your humble servant, S. In the midst of the unbelief and the wickedness which prevail in the world, it is truly consoling to think that there are some who do seek for happiness where alone it is to be found. We know that in the midst of poverty, and in the deepest afflic tions of pain and sorrow, the Christian religion does shed a joy which nothing else can give. What cruelty can be greater than that which would seek to check the influence of that religion which gives such blessings in this life, and leads assuredly to joys eternal in the world to come? FIGHTING. A YOUNGER Son of the Earl of Shaftsbury was killed in a boxing match, at Eton, on the 28th of February. No one can help grieving at this heart-rending calamity. This savage practice of boxing has become a kind of fashion among young men, and has been nursed and encouraged by the accounts given in the daily papers of the prize fights which have so long disgraced the country. A prize fight collects the very worst sort of people together, and encourages the very worst of practices. How strange it is that any persons who ought to know better should ever lend their support to such evils, by being present at them! And how the encouraging savage brutality could ever be thought an incitement to noble and manly feelings, we could never understand. We have always, as far as our influence goes, set ourselves decidedly against this vile and horrible practice. V. VACCINATION. PEOPLE are apt to neglect Vaccination when, they see no danger around them; but when the small-pox breaks out, then they are full of alarm, and then are they eager to pour in their petitions to the Vaccine Establishment for the vaccine lymph, for the sake of giving their children the cow-pox, and thus guarding them against the small-pox. How much better |
