Excerpt from Fourteenth Annual Report of the Mercantile Beneficial Association of Philadelphia: Together With Addresses by Stephen Cowell, Esq., Rev. A. A. Willits, Joshua L. Baily, Esq., Delivered at the Anniversary, Held in the Musical Fund Hall, November 13th, 1855

The amount of pecuniary relief required of the fund for the past year has been three hundred dollars - a sum unusually small, and yet every legitimate demand that was made upon it, was promptly, cheerfully and satisfactorily met by the Relief Committee, in whose charge this department is exclusively held. The fact that so little has been asked for', during a period of severe financial pressure and losses in our mercantile circles, must be gratifying to you, as it has been to your Board; not because the Association is anxious to hoard its funds, for this is emphatically not the case'; but because it presents an unmis takable evidence of the industry, prudence, economy and good health on the part of those connected with us in membership. We think it an honor, worthy of all commendation, that so few have found themselves compelled to come forward to ask for aid.

One of those to whom relief was granted, was a gentleman engaged in the capacity of a salesman, but having met with a serious accident, he was unable to attend to his duties, and con sequently deprived of his salary. Continued illness having soon exhausted his limited means, he very properly applied to the Relief Committee for that assistance which he could not, with equal right and propriety, expect from any other source, and he had the proud satisfaction of realizing the value and importance of a membership of the institution.

Another applicant was one who was most deeply afflicted by prolonged disease. Sufficient means were placed at his, disposal by the Committee, to render his unfortunate condition comfort able, and there is now much reason to hope that he will be eu.

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