The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-28 00:00:00

NEW ASYLUM FOR INFANT
ORPHANS.
SECOND ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL.

The second anniversary festival of this truly charitable
and benevolent Institution took place at the London
Tavern, on last evening,
Lord MORPETH in the Chair.

The usual loyal and national toasts having been given
and drank with enthusiastic applause, a curtain un-
veiled, and displayed thirty-nine infant orphans, who
sang a hymn. This scene was most interesting and
impressive.
The eldest of the children did not appear to be more
than ten years of age. They were cleanly and neatly
dressed, and their complexions spoke significantly that
they were well and comfortably provided for.
The CHAIRMAN said he confessed the sight which he
had just witnessed struck him with the deepest interest,
and he felt sure that the scene formed a most appro-
priate and pleasant prelude to the toast which it was his
duty to submit to the meeting that evening. When pre-
siding at similar charitable associations, he felt that their
merits were sufficiently tested by a long and prosperous
experience. Their present society had not yet obtained
that notoriety and expansion which he trusted it would
obtain ; but there was something in the principle on
which it was mainly founded which he considered most
commendable, and which, nevertheless, might be looked
upon as rather new and experimental. There were
institutions in the metropolis erected as asylums of
orphans, and he considered it an unjust and querulous
mind that could find a reasonable fault with
the principle of such institutions ; and though he was
aware that there were some objectors, there had been
none to object co their leading principle, and to say
that it was the legitimate object of benevolence to pre-
vent, and not to palliate crime, yet he would have them
remember, although he must say he admitted the theory,
that until they had succeeded in preventing evil, it was
their duty to deal with its symptoms—(Hear, hear)—
and if they could not get at the root, they should not re-
fuse to uncurl the leaves of the diseased tree; and though
there might still be improvidence, though there still
might be drunkenness—and there still might be vice—
they should not leave the little ones to their heritage of
suffering, over the lot of whom angels would weep. It
was not the province of man to harden his heart.— (Hear.)
There was only one similar institution to theirs, but it
was founded on an exclusive system. He did not, nor
could he quarrel with the exclusive system, and while
there were so many mingled and multifarious forms of
wretehedr ess, they could not quarrel with whatever im-
tigated the distress of their fellow-man, nor could the
principle of exclusiveness in any degree interfere with
the pubiic benevolence.—(Hear, hear.) They had asked
no crozier to point out the limits of their charity, nor any
mitre to sanction their humanity—they went on the
broad principle preached by their Redeemer, of uni-
versal love and good-will to all men.—(Hear, hear.)
They cared not whether the objects of their love and
charity were brought up in the Divine lessons and
sainted piety of a Watts or a Doddridge, the spirituality
of a Taylor, the fervid zeal of a Wesley, or the self-
denying labours of a Fenelon or Bouromeo. Little chil-
dren were indifferent to those denominations and dis-
tinctions—they did not find their way into their infant
bosoms. They would not interfere with religious dis-
tinctions ; they were resolved that the education of
their proteges should be strictly scriptural; they should
be taught that a watchful eye of tenderness
was over them, and they would be taught
to look up to the Supreme Author of their
being with love and gratitude, compared to whom
their best of earthly benefactors presented but a
faint and feeble image.—(Hear, hear.) They should be
taught to look up to the Saviour, who bad said " Suffer
little children to come unto me."—(Hear, hear.) They
need not fear the denunciations of Westminster or the
decrees of the Council of Treat • they would show that
they wished to commisserate infant suffering, and that
they attached weight to the great principle of reli
gious freedom.—(Hear, hear.) He was informed,
since he came into the room, that the pre-
sent institution only held thirty-six children,
whilst it was calculated to receive one hundred, and that
after the next election forty-seven children more would
be admitted—(Hear, hear)—and they would do their
utmost to turn as few from their doors as possible. The
institution gave a preference to suffering virtue ; but, at
the same time, when there were so many public sinners
in the world, they would not adopt too much of the
spirit of the philosopher, and close their door on the
claims of those who were the sufferers, and not the
wrong-doers. But for the gentlemen he saw around him,
and the other benefactors to the society, those little
cherubs whom they saw that night would have had no
one to teach them their Maker's name, or clasp their
tiny fingers in prayer to heaven. They might not have
had even the shelter of a roof to protect them from the
" season's difference," and worse than all, far worse, they
might, nay, it was too certain, that many of them would
have fallen into evil associations, and into habits of vice
and profligacy. But the charitable Society, which they
had assembled to celebrate, has stepped forward to
rescue and save them. The cause, then, of the suffering
orphans was certainly in better, abler, and more zealous
hands ; and he confidently relied on their future pro-
sperity and success.
Lord DUDLEY STUART, in returning thanks, as one
of the Vice-Presidents of the Society, took occasion to
advert to Poland, and stated that the first recipient of
the bounty of the Institution was the orphan of a Polish
nobleman, a refugee. The Noble Lord concluded his
remarks by a glowing eulogium on Lord Morpeth,
whom he declared to have distinguished himself, even in
his earliest years, by carrying off the first prizes in Ox-
ford.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. HANDLEY, M.P., said he supported the Institu-
tion, as it was founded on the first principles of Christian
amnesty, and as it did not confine its benefits to any
class or faith.
The report and the subscription list were then read.
It appeared a sum over 1,0004 was the result of the days'
subscriptions.—(Loud cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN then gave " The health of the Minis-
ters who had made charitable appeals for the benefit of
the Institution."—(Three times three.) " The Stewards"
and " The Ladies."
The meeting did not separate until an advanced hour
in the night.
The artistes who assisted during the night were,
Messrs. G. F. Taylor, C. Kenny, C. Genge, Farquharson
Smith, and Bland. Numerous arias were given, with a
great deal of taste and execution.