| This appeal to local Protestants was made
by our Hospital’s first board of directors in the middle
of the 1880s:
An Appeal for the Protestant Hospital for the Insane
The Directors of the proposed Hospital for the Protestant
Insane of this City and Province wish herewith to inform
subscribers and friends of what has been done, and what is
further needed, in order that those who have the matter in
hand may commence the erection of the buildings.
The citizens have subscribed $55,000 and the Quebec Government
has made a grant of $10,000, making a total of $65,000. A
farm of 110 acres has been purchased on the Lower Lachine
Road, and the site for the hospital has been selected in
a pleasant situation, fronting the river and rapids.
The building will cost $100,000, and the directors do not
feel that they would be justified in commencing to build
until $80,000 has been subscribed. The kind and prompt manner
in which the $55,000 was contributed leads the directors
to hope that all Protestants who have not yet subscribed
will kindly do so at once, so that the erection of the buildings
may be commenced without delay.
It is impossible to exaggerate either the importance or
the urgency of the case. We have delayed it, sadly, for too
long. Will Protestant ladies kindly take a practical interest
in our efforts? If they would organize, form committees and
solicit funds, they would greatly aid the directors. Our
afflicted friends are helpless and in circumstances that
call loudly and urgently for our sympathy and aid in procuring
for them a hospital where they can obtain comfort and cure.
The governors want it to be well understood that the institution
will not be a mere asylum, but a hospital for the cure of
Patients, when cure is possible. The terms of entrance will
be similar to those of the General Hospital of this city.
There will be private wards for patients who are able to
pay.
We cannot close this appeal, on behalf of more than two
hundreds Protestants who are suffering from the saddest kind
of affliction, better than by quoting a few words from an
address by Professor Drummond. He says, “You will find,
as you look back on life that the moments which stand out
above anything else, are the moments when you have done things
in a spirit of love”.
Come to the help of those who cannot help themselves!
Edward Hollis, Secretary
G.B. Burland, President
|
» 
