"ENSIGN COOMBS” FUND

Evening Star, Issue 19759, 9 January 1928, Page 6

"ENSIGN COOMBS” FUND

•* mm'B "suggestion TO TEE EDITOR. Sir.— George Eliot said: “ The beauty of a lovely woman is like music,” The beauty of one of the ensigns—and the Salvation Army’s characteristics is manifested in this lady’s letter of this evening. It will be impossible, much as we regret, to proceed further with the personal gift, but I think the ensign’s reply is a distinct challenge to the considerate citizens to subscribe towards the poor and outcast who come within the Army’s “open-wide arms.” The Army lifts a tremendous load off the churches and the community generally, and I suggest that there is here an opportunity of doing something practical. I suggest that the fund bo described as the “Ensign Coombs’ Poor Fund.” 1 hope many of your readers, including the business firms, will not, by reason of their numerous calls and demands, pass this opportunity—an especial one—“ on the other side.” Ensign Coombs’s reply is a challenge to me to double my donation, consequently I enclose another mite (£1). —I am, etc., January 7. Arrow. P.S.—l am addressing a communication to his worship the Mayor the presidents of the Chamber of Commerce. Employers’ Association, and Manufacturers’ Association.

“Arrow’s” communication to these bodies roads:—“The nature oi Ensign Coombs’s piteous and soul-racking (at times) work in our midst is such that it ought to require no apology on my part when I ask your kindly thought of the attached (the above letter), and the statement of this lady’s work as stated in Friday’s ‘ Star.’ “ I do hope, however, that I may be excused when I urge this matter on the immediate kindly and generous consideration of yourself and the members of your association. “ May .1 urge on your attention Goldsmith’s words: —

‘ Taught by the Power that pities me, I learn to pity them (the poor).’ ”