Carl Schurz

“ It is the spirit, too, which, more than any other, has created the brightest, the most stainless glories of our great American Republic — the spirit which, without any governmental action, out of the spontaneous initiative of the patriotic citizen, through private munificence, through individual solicitude for the welfare of all, has covered this land all over with educational institutions and enterprises of benevolence. ”

“ Whatever advanced science offers, the benefit of it you shall have. Whatever advanced skill and human kindness can do for you, that shall be done. And if the worst should come that neither skill nor kindness can avert, here is a home for you, a home you can depend on; a home, if not without suffering, yet without want and care; a home of sympathy and comfort for all of your remaining days. Be of good cheer therefore and despair not.”
The Montefiore Home has now been in existence for several years and we know how it has made good its promise. ”

“ The prospect of a better day that may be, helps one wonderfully to bear the ills of the bad day that is. The sufferer stretched out on the most miserable cot and racked with the keenest pain is not half way down to the bottom of wretchedness, if he can look forward to the hour, however dim and distant, which will send him forth again with renewed strength and health, to resume the race of life, however arduous, and the enjoyments of existence, however small. ”

“ The society began with a house scarcely large enough to shelter 30 patients, and now they have erected this magnificent building which promises to accommodate 150 with ease and comfort.
Honor to the men and women who have accomplished this, and who are bound to accomplish still more. They do honor to the community which calls them its own; for any community, whatever its pretensions, will be honored by citizens who take so high a view of their duties to humanity. ”

“ Joys and sorrows and pains and pleasures become the common property of all in their new home, and each in his own way generously helps to bear the heavy load of suffering all have to carry.”
And this from the report of the medical staff:
“The patients were also encouraged to spend much time in the open air, during the winter as well as during the summer. While they could get the warming and life-giving rays of the sun, and inhale the pure, crisp, air, cold was not considered a bar to their being outside. Of course care was taken that the clothing should be sufficiently warm and abundant. ”

“ They are Jews. This is not the only monument the Jews of New York have planted to their benevolence and public spirit. There are others, some even far excelling this in costliness and grandeur. But none — none of their own, and none instituted by any other class of citizens excels it — nay, perhaps more equals it in beauty of sentiment and devotion. And for whom is this done? Hear the noble words of the President of the Society as they are found in last year's report: “As Israelites, we are compelled, both by circumstances and inclination, to provide for the needy of our own faith ”

“ In the face of this movement, which for years has stirred some European countries and thrown its shadow even across the ocean upon our shores, it is most grateful to the human heart to hear the President of the Montefiore Home say, that, while this roof is to shelter the neediest of Israel, no human being because of his religious belief shall be excluded from its protection. ”

“ Only a few years ago a few benevolent men and women conceived this plan, and now the society counts upon its roll 14 life members, 359 patrons and 1896 members, and the money they have collected together in contributions, fairs and legacies sums up nigh a quarter of a million dollars, not counting the abundance of gifts in clothing, food, delicacies and other useful and pleasant things, which constantly flow in. ”