The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-02-28 00:00:00

FEMALE ORPHAN .INSTITUTIO/i

The annual meeting of the members and friends of the
?emale Orphan Institution was held, at two o'clock yester-
day afternoon, in the Lecture-room of the Royal Institution,
Colquit-street, for the purpose of receiving the report of the
Proceedings of the committee for the past year, and the ap-
pointment of the officers of the institution. There was rather
a numerous attendance of the supporters of the charity ; and
the orphans, who are the recipients of its benefits, were also
present. The chair was taken by the Rev. HUGS! M'NEILE,
President of the Gentlemen's Committee.
The Cirmaataar said, the objects of the present meeting
were, first, to hear a report of the proceedings of the last
year, and to have the state of the funds laid before them ;
then to take counsel, to give mutual encouragement, and to
deepen and extend the interest which already so largely pre-
vailed with regard t the futre progess of ths good wok.
The kind assistanceo of those friendsr who had consentedr to address the meeting, would, he was happy to say, fully ac-
complish the latter of these objects ; and he might leave the
onreport of their excellent secretary to speak for itself upon
e former. He had a very strong suspicions that upon
very important branch of their past proceedings the
secretary would not have done justice—he meant his own
services in this cause ; for he (the Chairman) must say, as
his own opinion—and he had little doubt he should have all
the
meeting to subscribe to it:--that if this infant institution
had so rapidly attained maturity of importance and support
among us;
satisfactory if the character of its commencement had been so
Y, and the applications for admission—if they were
to test its benefits—had been so numerous as to render the
house originally engaged wholly inadequate to supply the
needful accommodation, and if a more suitable building had
been designed, a site obtained, above £4OOO collected, and a
toundation-stone actually laid ; and if, during all these pro-
redings, the meetings of the committee had been efficient;
f the animus of their various conversations had been noted
vin with accuracy and followed out with vigour; and if
they could meet their constituents to-day upon the high
ground of good success in one year and goope for
another—these results, under a favouring and aho fatherly
Providence, without whom we could have no good thing,
W
. .i
were mainly to be ascribed to the diligence, ability, zeal,
and e would say it because he had seen it with admire-
aon, the enthusiasm in this soft and sacred cause, of Mr.
rtiarmood Banner. (Hear, hear, hear.) It would not
acdord well with the position which he (the Chairman)
mentth'e honour to occupy, to enter into any general argu-
with ative advocacy of this excellent cause, and therefore,
our delayin g. them furher to exres his incere
thankfulness for the advance, so far,than of an institution which
commended itself to the tenderest and best of our feelings,
he
usweobu.ld call upon the Secretary (who he hoped would ex-
thoughlm for the manner in which he had spoken of him,
mi in his presence) to proceed with the report; and if
ght venture to take a very great liberty, he would
suggest, with the approbation of the meeting, that some such
feeehlession of their feelings towards Mr. Banner, as he had
reoaeY affemPted to give utterance to, be appended to the
jags iY. of what he would have reported of his own proceed-
Mru.ulling the past year. (Hear, hear.)
the co A.natoon BANNER, after suitably acknowledging
rePortnlPliments paid to him by the rev. chairman, read the
mittee This document detailed the proceedings of the corn-
tio during the past year, up to the laying of the founda-
n stone of the new building in Myrtle-street, which was
report was in oaper of Tues day last. Append.
wass a statement of the treasurer's accounedts, to the
exhibited a very favourable aspect. It appeared that
total
th_ Income of the charity last year from subscriptions
x,ll'
roduce of needlework by the children,
Bs. and the expenditure to £526 es.
balasnce in favour of the institution of £228 2e.
die of the last report there was a sum in hand of £3,338
bas. M., 'and there were, besides, donations promised,
but not then paid, amounting to £639: that sum had since
been received, so that for the year 1842 the donations and
collections made a total of £3,977 13s. Id. He (Mr. Ban-
ner) ,
er) was happy
to add, that the present year had commenced
ravourea,y,
aui for since the 31st of December there had been
received of church collections £9B 7s. 9d., and of donations
4;254 10s., the latter sum including the very handsome ano-
nymous donation of £5O from some unknown friend to the
, and a donation of fifty guineas from the Worshipful
Mayor, Robertson Gladstone, Esq. (Cheers.) There
was now, therefore, in the whole, the sum of £4,330 10s. 10d.
applicable to the new building. (Hear, hear, hear.)
The Rev. JONATHAN BROOKS, senior rector, moved the
nrst resolution, which proposed the adoption of the report
and accounts, and the printing of them for circulation among
the subscribers. This, he believed, was a customary resolu-
tion, and one which was first proposed at each annual meet-
ing. On the present occasion he was happy in being able to
congratulate the chairman, and all the friends of the institu-
tion whom he saw around him, upon the prosperous state of
its funds. He recollected scarcely any institution which, in
so short a period, seemed to have taken so much hold of the
dune,
and sympathies of the. public as this institution had
'une, and he was not surprised at it, because, when we
looked at the object of it, it was impossible to conceive any-
thing more calculated to fasten upon all those feelings of
kindness and benevolence which were the best ornaments of
the Christian character. It was one of those institutions
Which required not the feeble eloquence of man to recom-
mend it to the attention of all those who were interested in
the welfare, either temporal or eternal, of their fellow crea-
tures • and he could not think it necessary or desirable that
they Should press it more strongly upon the public at large
when they had themselves shown so much willingness to
"toe forward in its aid. On a late occasion, the laying of
the foundation stone of the new institution, the chairman had
said so much, and said it so well, and he had put every thing
which it was desirable to lay before the public in such a
better point of view than be (Mr. Brooks) was able, that he
should not go over them on the present occasion ; and, in-
deed, he was inclined to think that the annual meetings of
our institutions were much better conducted when they became
meetings of business rather than meetings for mak inseeches.
But before he moved that the report be printed, beg bepgged to
say that he entered most fully into all the chairman had said
with regard to their worthy secretary, Mr. Banner. He (Mr.
Brooks) had had the pleasure of attending many meetings of
the committee during the past year, and, in the previous year,
he had had the pleasure of occupying the chair which Mr.
M'Neile now filled; and, therefore, he could speak most
decidedly -with regard to the interest which Mr. Ban-
ner had taken, and the indefatigable exertions which he
bad made, in behalf of this charity. He , (Mr. Brooks)
might say that so far as the pecuniary means went, he had been
the great and principal instrument in making them what
they now were. He was sure that that was a declaration
perfectly consistent with the feelings of every one who had
attended the meetings of the committee, and he was rather
inclined to envy that gentleman's feelings when he looked at
the state of the accounts. It was true that they had wanted
a considerable sum ; it was also true they were now only a
few hundred pounds short of that sum. But he (Mr. Brooks)
hoped that success would not be the means of inducing any
one to relax their exertions, because though they wanted only
a little, it must be borne in mind that they would want a con-
siderable sum to meet the annual expenditure. (Hear,
heat.) When so much bad been done, he trusted that all
those who had the interest of the institution at heart would
feel that they ought to second the exertions of the committee,
and use their influence in increasing the funds of the institu-
"n• He trusted, therefore, that all would feel the necessity
of following up those exertions so as to put the institution in
"Itch a Meer situation that it would be out of the reach of want.
, h)
The Rev. WM. HESKETH seconded the resolution, and
bore cordial testimony to the efficiency of the matron and
sChoolmistress of the institution. He had frequently heard
the children examined, and he had every reason to believe
.that their progress had been highly satisfactory. The great
of the institution, however, was yet to come—namely,
when the children were sent into the world. They would be
Scot there with the principles of Scriptural education im-
ttanted in them. He believed that as their education was
hatn upon such a basis it would go on and prosper, and
wool those who had assisted in laying its foundation-stone
mild live to see it take up a position among the institutions
of the town second to none.
The resolution was carried.
he Rev. W. W. EWBANK, of St. George's, Evertor),
"ltlyed the second resolution, which, after acknowledging
Past
t nenort, called for continued assistance. He was glad
.
the
"e that it would be quite unnecessary for him to detain
the "leafing and he quite agreed with the respected rector
_eat•these kind of meetings ought to be made more for busi-
u ore than speechifying; but he must be allowed to make one
ast two simple observations with regard to the resolution, in-
much as the chairman stated at the commencement, that
deepen
eettldresses of the subsequent speakers were, if
.possible, to
p the interest already felt iu so truly Christian and in-
teresting_ an object. The resolution seemed to embrace two
alia.rticular subjects ; first of all they were to express them-
place, grateful for past contributions, and, in the second
ra4f,e, they were to solicit still further support. With regard
the first part of the resolution, he trusted they were deeply
grateful to God for having put it into the hearts of his ser-
._annts thus liberally to commence this Institution, and to pro-
of'f ite it still further. He remembered reading in some book
kitn,l_stoey that one of the greatest enemies of the Christian
te o mentioned it as one of those things which tended most
strengthen it and deepen its foundations with the heathen,
and
lee
were anxious to support and relieve the distressed,
it e stated that in order to hold up the decaying paganism
ciwPuld be quite necessary they should take a leaf out of the
_,uri.stian book, and immediately begin to raise hospitals and
w_aneritable institutions of every sort, if they intended to Ltan re-
their hold upon the affections of the people. And he
eA, truly thankful that we were always able to appeal to the
ti_eets of true Christianity wherever it had been planted on 07.earth,—that we could not only appeal to the correctness
pirts doctrines,—that we could not only take Scripture and
cne the doctrines we held were the true word of the living
tKebut we could say also, " by their fruits shall ye know
en_ea, by the fruits of Christianity ye shall know it has
had bee
God. Therefore he felt truly grateful that there
teen o.een already manifested such a truly Christian spirit in
reentawn,—that this institution had been b 0 favourably em-
it eed, and that it was likely to proceed so favourably to
ressnitision. With regard to the second portion of the
hr ''ution nothing could be more Scriptural than the remem-
rec!nthat we are not to be weary in well-doing, and this
ired to be constantly pressed upon us, for it was a corn-
° observation with regard to these institutions that it
ewas much easier to collect large sums for the building of the
ae.7BBal'Y structures than afterwards to support them ; be-
so;" at first (and it was exceedingly proper that it should be
cure enthusiasm.
was a necessary flow of what he must call prema
to eepthusiasm. The state and the circumstances of those
benefitted were more prominently brought before the nen'Tynte and therefore we expected and we found that at first
allow fey would be supported ; but he trusted they would not
tk_y his to be the case with regard to this institution ; that
je,rue would remember if they proceeded in charitable objects
Christian feelings, if they were riot led away not only
t7.ottie feelings of nature, but if they also really did these
,Teoee from Christian motives, so far from their love and
711" hoe growing cold, they would be more anxious, as year
.
sonerceeded year, to devote a portion of their wealth to %hi _
h_Y of God and the good of their fellow-creatures. Ao d
Pelftheeiyt ti
soagwbetfhoosebinetmeresting creatures [the female
.aor-
to 50che a cause as this; th, gly gra tl
etyhemyucsotulfdeenloetaneeeceddianny advocacy.
kiod that He had allowed them any share in rescuing
e ry
evilstu aenhildren in their tender infancy from the ne
d corru oree p ions of tile world.
a 'et- that this
is?: add his fervent wish and his sincere pr, ;13 itution He, therefore, could
might proceed from little to more,
their
ner of children might be gradually increased, and that
Prop,. that' the nurn-
stated—
.as might correspond with what Mr. Hesketh
mighthad
that when they were tried in future life, they
reason to bless God, and bless them, (
"w charity ) under God, f having given them those religious
Mr. supporters
advantages, or . of
•
h` Mr* Vir
• WINCH seconded the motion, and it was unani-
-nualY carried.
Mr
d himself, at a few
gat. • SAMUEL HOLE said it was to him a source both of
taints,fsa,clon and of regret that he resented . .• n
thatbefore vote of
e,es non • the meeting —a source of satisfaction
thanks have the privilege kin
f roposing a
_ anks to those gentlemen who had dlyanaddvaocsaotuerdeethoef
tallse of this charity during the Past e
keYtet that he stood there in the place
this resolution, but
Bushell, who was to have proposed )o. falrds excellent friend,
t‘:liaose feelings had been so lacerated by
to him (Mr.
t he was tine tl
olnie) qua to the task. It
stance, a most giatifying circuit'. amidst the
„a,aagreat affliction,
that,
FOnlinercial embarrassments with
oeen visited, and in which this town had
which
bteheins
ecoomunpteriredhatdo
Perticipate the springs of benevolence had not
UP, but that they had flowed onwards not only
ind, with the
but in a deep and rapid stream. He called to mind, in been
a broad, dridried
Ireateat delight, thatwithin the last
few years several

mounted to

4d., leaving a
;. Bd. At the

churcileS and great numbers of schools had been erected in
this town ' • he called to mind that at the south end of the
town, by the benevolence of the inhabitants of Liverpool, a
large and spacious hospital had bein erected for the allevia-
tion of human suffering : he recollected, too, the great and
magnificent educational seminary erected in Shaw-street,
and now he was enabled to congratuiate his fellow towns-
men upon another benevolent institution being added fur
that most interesting of all classes of our fellow creatures,
the orphans, he meant the female orphan children of our
poor. (Cheers.) He was reminded, by this circumstance,
that we were invited to assist in this good work by the clergy
of our excellent church. (Hear.) The clergy of our church
set us an example in deeds of benevolence, and both by their
is and their example they directed our attention to
ty whilst we were so much absorbed with
they urged us amidst:our multiplied avo-
cations not to neglect " the one thing needful ;" to do that
hich we often needed to he reminded of; that we are only
le stewards of those bounties which the Almighty has been
leased to place in our hands, of which He will require an
:count at our hands, and that it is our duty to allot a por-
on of the goods with which Divine Providence has blessed
-I relieving temporal human suffering, in providing for
rants of the distressed, and in doing all the good we can
is world after the blessed example set us by our Divine
Hear, hear.) He might. using the words of one
with regard to the ministers of religion,

things of etern

to brig

_hter worlds, and lead the way!"
In this respect we were deeply indebted to them ; and he
thought that one of the greatest blessings which Providence
in its beneficence had poured upon this land had been giving
us the great number of valuable clery which our church pos-
sessed. _ He spoke of the present moment with deep and

gloomy feelings, for the circumstance which had deprived the
meeting of the presence of his friend Mr. Bushell was one of
that nature. A gentleman well known in this town left
Liverpool to visit his friends in Birmingham—at three o'clock
on Sunday morning he was suddenly called away to see a now
dying mother; he was a man of elegant manners and of be-
nevolent hear—one who rejoiced in this institution, and
who loved to do good. He alluded to Dr. Malins—(hear,
hear) ;—he was now a corpse. He (Mr. Holme) was re-
minded by this circumstance of the shortness and uncertainty
of human life •, and the lesson which he wished to draw from
it himself, and with great humility to inculcate upon others,
was to " work while it is yet called day, for the night cometh
when no man can work.' With these feelings he begged to
move the thanks of the meeting to those clergy who had
kindly advocated the cause of the charity
MI

AIOCATA. seconded the resolution, and it was unaui-

mously carried

The Rev. It. L. TOWNSEND moved a vote of thanks to the
committee for the services which they had rendered to the
charity during the past year. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Bitooic, and carried unanimously.

The Ladies' Committee and the Gentlemen's Committee
were then reappointed ; and, on the motion of Mr. JOSHUA.
EDWARDS. a special vote of thanks was presented to Mr.
Harmood Banner, with a request that he would continue his
services to the charity.

Mr. BANNER begged to return thanks to the meeting for
be kind expression they had been pleased to give with re-
ard to himself. The object of the institution was, of itself,
ufficient to induce him to continue his services. He con-
luded by moving a vote-of thanks to Mr. M`Neile for the
node in which he had conducted the proceedings.
The Rev. JONATHAN BROOKS seconded the resolution,
nd it was unanimously carried.
NETLE.—Ladies and gentlemen,-1 thank you
ncerely for the manner in which you have received the kind
xpressions of my friends upon my right and my left. I can
ertainly say with Mr. Banner, that the nature of the insti-
ution is such as to cause me to find little difficulty in

Mr. M

ordiallv consenting to lend it any assistance in my power to
ive. 1 cannot at this moment look around upon those
ilildren, and call to mind the children with which it has
leased God to bless myself, without contrasting their con•

iition and feelings, as we have been reminded by my friend,
iow soon it may be the lot of my own children to -be left
ltherless in the world. We are exhorted in the word of
god to remember those in bonds as being bound, and they
hat are iu affliction, because we ourselves are still in the
iesh, and, therefore, liable to the same. I should say it re-
mires but a very proximate effort of Christian sympathy to
emember the fatherless—feeling upon what a thread the
,resent shield of a father's protection over his own children
langs from day to day. (Hear, hear.) Allow me, in con•
lusion, to request that the children shall conclude the
aeeting by singing " Praise God, from whom all blessings
low."

The request of the rev. gentleman was immediately (tom
ed with, and the proceedings terminated.