ABSTRACT
Man by nature being subject to various diseases, cannot supply his own wants without the assistance of his fellow-creatures. A conviction of this well known axiom first united men together in bonds of friendship. But as affliction often prevents man from following his daily labour (without which few men can support themselves or families), it became necessary to seek some resource, that would preserve that sort of independent spirit, which every human being should endeavour to promote, and prevent the degradation and humiliation of applying to a parish for relief.
