res, and like entertainments, for the means to replenish
their relief funds, and the response has ever been worthy the generosity
and patriotism of the Commonwealth.

At the present time, the posts have in these funds about $120,000.

With the incoming of Commander Horace Binney Sargent, in 1876, the Grand
Army entered upon a new and broader field in its work of fraternal
charity; large as had been the liberality of Massachusetts towards its
veterans, the Commonwealth yet lacked for its own what the national
government had established for the helpless and needy wards of the
Republic,--a Soldiers and Sailors Home. With the same earnestness and
fervor which had made him the trusted military confidant of Governor
Andrew, and later, a splendid commanding officer in the field, Commander
Sargent threw himself into the work of securing this great need of the
Commonwealth. The times were far from auspicious; business was suffering
from severe depression, property values were feeling the apparent
shrinkage incident to the approach to a coin basis, Comrade Sargent
personally being among the foremost sufferers, while the strength of the
Grand Army was from these causes constantly diminishing; and, at the
outset, not a few of the members of the organization doubted the
necessity for, or feared the failure of, the project. But there was
contagion in the fiery enthusiasm and terrible earnestness of Commander
Sargent, and, slowly at first, but surely, the plan won its way.
Breaking their hitherto and since invariable rule of "one term"
elections of department commander, the comrades in Massachusetts a
second and a third time re-elected Commander Sargent, and, before the
close of the latter term, he saw the beginning of the end in the
establishment of a Soldiers Home on Powder Horn Hill, Chelsea.

The work had been of slow growth; the posts were appealed to, public
meetings were held, and at camp-fires and other gatherings the necessity
for the procurement of a Home was strongly urged; but during the earlier
months there were only a few tangible evidences of prospective success,
here and there a small contributor, so that many who had been
enthusiastic became downcast and discouraged. But there was one comrade
whose faith failed not, and when the workers wearied, Comrade Sargent
became only the more resolute and determined. During his second term, he
was able to announce the receipt of a small bequest in the will of a
generous lady,