A few subscriptions towards
a building were obtained,
which, in 1858, amounted to $1,200
In 1859-60 were added 1,644
In 1873 (for altering and
furnishing), 5,700
In 1873-74, 4,400
In 1874-75, 7,800
In 1882, the estate of Daniel
P. Stone gave 25,000
Inspired by this, a meeting
of citizens was held at the
Brunswick, where committees
on finance were appointed,
and the result was a subscription
of 175,000 $220,744
By will have been bequeathed:
By Charles H. Cook, 300
" Miss Nabby Joy, 5,000
" J. Sullivan Warren, 13,059
" Dr. George E. Hatton, 5,000 23,359
And by subscriptions in connection with, Fairs:
1859--Chinese Fair, 4,787
1873--Bazaar of Nations, 12,246 17,033
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$261,136
We have mentioned "Fairs." These have been three in number; each being held in the Music Hall, and owed their success, not only to the energy of the young men, but to the hearty sympathy and untiring exertions of the ladies of the Boston churches.
The first was held in 1858, and netted $9,650
The second was called the Chinese
Fair, all the decorations being Chinese,--a
pagoda reaching fifty-six
feet to the very height of the hall,
which netted 33,000
The third was the most elaborate--the
Bazaar of the Nations; the Music
Hall being made to represent a street
of foreign houses, where, by persons
in costume, the goods of the different
nations were sold. It came in
the spring and immediately after the
fire, but netted 28,673
--------
$71,323
[pg 256]
It is certainly to the credit of the Association that up to 1882, when the large subscription of $200,000 was secured, the amount raised through the exertions of the young men and the ladies exceeded by more than $10,000 all moneys subscribed.
The influence of the Boston Association has not been merely local. Through Mr. L.P. Rowland, long its general secretary, and now the veteran secretary of the United States, in his capacity of corresponding secretary of the international committee, the first State work was done and Associations formed in all parts of Massachusetts. The present Boston building is now the headquarters of the Massachusetts committee, where the State secretary may always be reached. The secretary of the Association is a member of the State committee, a present member of the board, and an ex-president is now chairman of the same. In national matters, also, the Boston Association has responded to every call. In the early days of the war a drill-club was organized by one of its board, and he, as well as a large number of his men, went into service. And at the call of Mr. Stuart, of Philadelphia, the committee of the Christian Commission was represented by an ex-president and an army committee formed in the Association, which sent the large sum in money of $333,237.49, and immense stores of all kinds to the field.
The same committee acted as almoners at the time of Chicago's great fire, and also when the Western woods fires caused such suffering.