The school was abundantly patronised, and successfully conducted. The ladies then applied for a fund of some $30,000, given for purposes of education, by a gentleman of that city; and not specifically devoted to any particular object. The trustees of this fund voted to devote it to this enterprise, if the citizens would raise $15,000 for a building. The citizens manifested all appropriate interest, so far as kind words and liberal offers were concerned. Two gentlemen subscribed a thousand dollars each, and several five hundred each, and nothing was needed but a person properly qualified, who should devote himself to the enterprise. The ladies conducting the school, with failing health and many cares, could not carry forward such an effort, and no man could be found to devote himself to it. The result was, that the Catholic bishop bought the building occupied by this school for a Catholic female institution. No other suitable building could be hired. The hard times came on, and funds could not be raised to build one; and thus, with tears of bitter disappointment, the school was given up, and the whole enterprise failed, and simply because it was the business of no person to attend to the general interests of education. Had these ladies turned Catholics, bishops, priests, Jesuits, and all their subordinates, would have been devoted to their cause, and rich funds from foreign lands would have been laid at their feet. As it was, in a wealthy and most liberal Protestant city, where four of the largest establishments in its bounds have been purchased for Catholic institutions of education, and two of them for females, a Protestant institution, conducted by four female teachers of established reputation, passed away for want of suitable accommodations. Meantime, in that same city, the agents of various benevolent societies took up liberal contributions for the heathen, for slaves, for drunkards, for sailors, for convicts, for colleges (both in and out of the city), for the education of young men, for the distribution of Bibles and tracts, and for many other objects; because men are supported, by voluntary contribution, to give their whole time to these objects.
There is no just foundation for the remark not unfrequently made, that the Catholic Church contains more self-denying benevolence than other communions, while sisters of charity and nuns are pointed out as illustrations. There are hundreds and thousands of women in this Protestant land, who, without the mistaken principles, possess all the self-denying benevolence which, in Catholic communities, leads to cloistered vows. The writer, after extensive inquiries in almost all the free states, believes it would be far within the bounds of moderation to assert that, if any responsible persons would pledge the pecuniary means and appropriate protection, five hundred benevolent women could be found in less than one month, with all appropriate qualifications for missionary teachers. Some of these are possessed of wealth, and still more command a pleasant home, with all the comforts of competence and the best society; yet they would joyfully encounter the privations of missionary life in efforts to save their country, could any appropriate method be devised.
These allusions to the aid and encouragement offered to benevolent women in the Catholic Church are not designed to be invidious. Whatever class of religionists conscientiously hold, that there is no safety from eternal ruin but in their church, not only Christian benevolence, but common humanity should impel them to all possible efforts, to gather every human being into their communion. And it is feared that Protestants do not always make sufficient allowance for this consideration.
The wrong lamented is, not that Catholics act consistently with their faith, but that Protestants do not offer the same aid and encouragement to benevolent Protestant women, who are so earnest in their desires to devote time and talents, and, in some cases, wealth, to the salvation of the children of our country.
In view of these facts, it is now proposed to attempt to raise means for educating destitute American children, by the agency of women of education and benevolence, who wish to engage in the work; and for supporting at least one gentleman of suitable character and influence, whose time shall be wholly devoted to this enterprise.
The first thing which will be attempted will be to select, from those who are desirous to engage in such a service, a certain number of those who are best qualified by education, energy, discretion, and self-denying benevolence, and who are willing to be stationed, under the protection of some adjacent clergyman, in places where there are neither churches or schools, assured of nothing more than is allowed to home and foreign missionaries, namely, a proper mode of conveyance and location, and a simple support, secured by some responsible persons.
A small beginning will be made, under the supervision of a committee of six gentlemen, one from each of six different Protestant denominations. The following gentlemen have consented to act as such a committee until more permanent arrangements can be made.
- Rev. Dr. Elliot, Cincinnati.
- Rev. Dr. Lynd, ditto.
- Rev. James H. Perkins, ditto.
- Rev. Dr. M’Guffey, ditto.
- Rev. Dr. Stowe, ditto.
- Rev. Bishop Smith, Louisville, Kentucky.
As soon as means are raised sufficient to support a gentleman who shall devote himself to this object, the above committee will endeavour to organize a Board of Managers, consisting of an equal number of gentlemen from each of the principal Protestant denominations, who are resident in different sections of the country, and possess general confidence. This board will then appoint an Executive Committee, Treasurer, and Secretary, to superintend and perform all the business connected with this enterprise, who shall be located either in New-York or Cincinnati.
In order to aid in raising funds for this object, a method is proposed, which will enable every woman who feels an interest in the effort, to contribute, at least a small sum, to promote it.