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record, and its many associations with the past; and then their very clothing and bedding." While they could help themselves, they would not ask, they would not have, help from others, and even now, when all is gone, the spirit of independence, the abhorrence of pauperism, the desire to bear their own burden, will hardly let them receive, on much persuasion and entreaty, the miserable pittance which is called "relief."
My brethren, shall such men with their wives and little ones be hungry and naked, and lie on bare boards, and shiver, and starve, and die, while we have aught of money, food, or raiment that we can send them?
I should do you much wrong, if I feared that you would not respond to such an appeal, if I did not feel confident that you would make now the very largest offering you can, and go home with the burning resolution to repeat it and surpass it if possible. Your hearts must be touched, your hands must be ready. You would not be human, much less Christian, were it otherwise.
