Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-04-11
ODD FELLOWS ASYLUM.


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ODD FELLOWS ASYLUM.
The erection Of an asylum for suPsraH-.---
sssyfY SICK nrefhrAn Of th~ n'aa>-
of Odd Fellows, as well as home for its
widows aud orphans, was suggested by Long
Island Lodge to the Order short time ago,
and through the exertions of its members a
convention of delegates from various subOr-
dinates was couple Of weeks since held in
Brooklyn. A plan which contemplated the
purchasing of land within short distance Of
the city, on which comfortable residences
might be erected, for the reception of those
who imperatively required the benefits Of
the order, was presented. After consIdera.
BILE discussion, committee was appointed to
draft report and resolutions embodyiDg the
general ideas considered by the convention,
and this report we give our readers. On
Monday evening last special committee was
appointed by the Grand Lodge, to report at
an early day on this important movement
Although there are many defects in the re-
port We do not think it within our province at
present to point them out. The suggestions
are generally very good, and with little
more consideration and pruning down, may
be made to work to the advantage and honor
Of the Order The Committee, in their re-
port, say
That they are united in the opinion, that the
tims has arrived in the life of the Iod pendent
o der Of Odd-FellOws, when the practical utility
Of its bsnefcent principles should be expanded,
ana made manifest as permanent; not because
the Institution Is now doing vast amount Of
good in its present practical Operations-not that
it does not redeem its pie dge6 to the living ac
coIdipg to its Consitution-but because it has
capabilities to do more and many of its member
have expressed desires to do more ;-Hnd where
there is ability and ldssire to enlarge the sphere
of Benevolonce 1t appears to your Committee to
be duty which we owe to God, Humanity, and
our proiessed Principles, to help onward every
good work.
In considering The particular subjec submitted
TO your COmmIttee-the establ snment Of AT
ASYLUM for aged worldly Brethren, and the
Widows and Oruhans bereft Of tho means Of CON-
Portable supp0rewe fnd it to be in harmony
with the spirit of tho age, and Of the continuity
in which we live-that it is happily adapted t.
.upply a dodciency which has become apparent
to many Of our Bre hren who look forward to the
time when the vioisstudes Of fortune, the f eble-
ness of age, OF the severance Of the feeble thread
Of lite, may leave themselves, their Brethren or
their dearest earthly dependents to the Cat pres
ent) uudefned bounty Of our Order, or to the
b. artless charities Of the public authorities.
Other Institu ioHs having the came otject, in
part, and supported nearly altogether by annual
contributions of the charitable, continue flour
ish without dscadence such 81 Orphan Asy-
INNS. Half Orphan Asylume, Retreats for re-
sporadic aged Ladies, 80 SO.
The object your Committee have been in
structed to consider is, the establishment Of an
ASYLUM, on a permanent basis, + persons hay-
ing recognized claims on our Order-respectable
aged Brethren, Widows and Orphans All whose
vie VS. we have heard, and which your Committee
have also adopted, contemplate the purchase OF
tract of good land, in the vicinity OF the City
Of New York, with buildings which NAV be ex-
tended as required. for the accommodation OF
the bsnefciaries. There all those who desire to
avail themselves of the means provided, are to
be placed pot to indulge in luxurious idleDess,
nor to be subjected to thsreproach of pauperism;
but every one according to their capacity, age
and strength must aid in making their living
We now proceed to examine these points sep
arately -
A tract of good land in the vicinity Of the
CITY of New York may be, as is believed, OBJ
tsined reasonable price-say 30 acres-(more
rather than less,) at about $lOO an acre. 1t
should be within the reach Of the Fraternity on
a summer days excursion, that it may be IN
spected, and its operations understood by all its
supporters and friends, that it may not be sub
iected to misrepres ntation nor neglect
1t should be made W, rking establishment,
and, so far as possible, self-supporting estab-
lishment. Many means Of employment will pre-
sent themselves, which do not now occur to your
committee-but they may mention Market
Garden a Nursery of Fruit and Flower Trees.
Shrubs and Plants Dairy; the keeping of
Poultry Pigs, Bees, SC and If the tract be
large enough portion might be set apa,t for a
Cemetery Household occupations might also
be provided-hght manu- actures, such as needle
work in its varieties, wicker and straw work
In such occupations, every one would feel and
appreciate the happiness and comforts Of bone.
without any feeling Of degradation, which, to
cultivated and sen tive minds would be more
grievous and hard to be borne than the struggle
of Poverty. For the Children sound practical
education should be provided, and the school so
established as to be entitled to the aid OF the
State. Some of the most noble and munihcent
of our public charities have failed for want OF
this condition of work. One Of the most inte-
resting may be mentioned, which was located on
the shore Of Long Island, near Hell Gate. ii
the public authorities had given employment to
the three or four hundred Boys who were placed
on what was called the Long Island Farm, those
Bows might have provided their own living on
that DeauLnUl reDreat, luhIedu Ol proving al "a
pense to the citizens and the necessity Of bind
ing them out at the tender age of eleven or
twelve years would have been Obviated, their
education would have been advanced, and their
knowledge, strength, and services of greater
value to Farmers and Mechanics. And II the
two thousand paupers constantly on hand were
set to work, they also might be made seryicea-
Bile to the city instead Of a burthen, and then
fhey lDould be no longer pauqerS. Even IN the In
situtions for the Blind, and for the Deaf and
Dumb, education in profitable work mas accom-
panied their literary and moral instruction.
The next point for consideration Will be, the
amount Of funds squisite before tnls pr'Jec' can
be commenced, and the means tor les at ann en'
and future supply. Your committee are OF opln-
! ion that no practical experiment should be com
menced without q tund Of $lO,OOO-or So, ,OO0 ai'
ter the purchase and payment If the land. The
land should be purchased a. earty as possible az
| If Of good quality, and at proper point, migni
| be rendered profitable az on-e, Dy letting iIoIa
year to year tillrequired.
/ q This, or a larger sum, might be ootalnee pY
donations and annual subscriptions from ~ j,
duals; BY the professional services o. hoe al
brethren and friends Of the Order, IN Concerts,
Exhibitions, Lectures, SIC; by Sunlner LAy1.,
\ ions and Pic-Nios Balls Ia WINTER, an" IA
\ bundred ways which would present tnelnseiFo'
aitor the plan had received the sanction OF tn'
fraternity and the same means .0uAo Ao'1i
! rtfN-~N
Ia view. therefore, Of the importance Ct sucf
an establishment to the Order, tof the extension
Of its sphere of usefulness, its honor and perpe
f,sitv. your committee beg leave to propose tni
snbioiied Resolutions for the adoption OF thi
convention
An of which is RESPECTFULLY submitted.
fSiened,) JAMES HERRlNe,
THOMAS LAwKENcE,
THOMAS l.. fRAyNARD,
WILLIAM WoRTs,
JOHN p. ericsson.
Committee.
The following Revolutions we're separately Ia
ken up, and on being unanimously adopted. ~er
ordered to be signed by the Chairman and Secfe
taSy, and by the Delegates present.
/. Resolred-Tbat the Report presented to this Cen
veption b. accepted and approved.
2 Resolpoa- -Thst this Convention recommend On
sohcit the Grsnd Lode, G and Encampment Loess
and Eucampments undtr their jurisdiction, ana q
others within the district thereof 70 unite IN ne 1'
sgu with promptnels, energy, AID nearly geo
will. -. H..
8. Resolred-That for the above purpose TINS Oo1
vsntion OF Delegatea desires and requsets eacn an
everv organized body Of the Order, without delay
appoint one Brother its Representative, TO unite
Board Of Directors, with powers to make by-ia"