Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-11
Report OF the Board OF Managers or the
Warrington CIty Asylum for Orphans
and Destitute Children.
How of heart-sick and sore,
I've wished were once more


A little child
How sweet are the recolleclions OF childhood
memory, that fond deceiver" would recall those
happy hours, as though no sob had ever heavet
the bosom, no tear" forgot as soon as shed, hac
ever bathed the cheek--the domestic hearth, the
fathers warm embrace, the mothers gentle prayer
the parting kiss, the lingering good night are all
as present to the mind, as though the wheels Of
time had backward gone, and we had just lived
Ger those days again.
But what is there 10 shed one bright ray DER
the saddened memory Of the orphaned child
cares and sorrows, wants, and loves have filled
up their little span Of life Cast upon the world
houseess and helpless, child Of sorrow, well may
you exclam
!" No mothers care,
Shielded my infant innocence with prayer
Nor even an humble stone, to mark the spot
where they have laid her.
o. Charity, sympathy, pieiy is there one claim
in all the train of human ills more tender, more
powerful, or more urgent. The poor We have
always with you;" the little orphan is always in
The land, no matter how prosperous that land may
be--no matter how rich the ships come freighted
from foreign shores. The ocean may yield its
pearls the mine its treasures, but still the suffer
ing poor in the land; lis the will Of high
Heaven it should be so.
There's Divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough hew them how we will"
They are legacy left TO those on whom Provi-
dence has showered the blessings Of wealth; a
blessing, and only blessing when so used, that
we.may give an account with Joy, and not with
sorrow nor TO The wealthy alone, they left,
but TO all who have the comforts Of life, and
hearts 10 feel anothers woe.
Hrie Ia n he nal nj hIs I'M fif tltn
the noble donation, and the widows mite alike
claim our grateful Acknowledgements, and as a
board of managers we come to present our report
for the year, that has passed We have been
richly rewarded for our care--you, we trust, for
your gifts.
Our little band, now numbering ffiy-one child
ren--thiry five girls and sixteen boys, have been
warmed, fed, and clothed by your humanity.
With the exception OF few weeks during the
summer, they have enjoyed almost uninterrupted
health. During the summer, number of the
children had the scarlet fever and two fell victims.
John Burns and John Lucas passed away to the
esprit land" 10 bloom, we trust, in immortal
beauty. We believe all that the tenderest of
mothers could have done, was done for them, and
all the necessary comforts provided that could
smooth their dying pillow.
During the year, eight children have been adj
mitted, and nine children placed in such situations
in the country, as was thought desirable for them.
Three children have been adopted by respectable
persons wishing to take them their own.
With the case of one OF our orphans, who left
the institution in February last, many, probably,
are familiar. An uncommonly sweet and iutelli-
gent child of four years was with her mother,
who, when begging for crust, fell dead. And
this engaging child was left alone in the world.
Mothers, fathers, il only for few moments, turn
aside from the various avocations OF liie-whether
We be the voaries Of fashion, or, with politicians
brain, bewildered with doubtful schemes for your
country's good-pause moment, while we tell
you, this little one of the family of the "sweet
bard" Goldsmith The father had fallen from
professional life, by intemperance, became pau
per- and was at that time in our aims -house.
From him, information was obtained, Just before
his death, of his fathers residence in England.
His family was informed of the condition of this
little outcast from their fold, in far distant land,
and Ada was sent for by aunt who had mar
ried an officer of high rank in the British army.
Could you read the letters of that aunt on the
restoration of their little, homeless orphan, and her
grateful acknowledgements for the kindness that
rescued her from, perhaps, worse than an early
grave, surely you would feel, in this world OF sun
shine and shade, that we know not whose chill
dren are 10 be protected from the summers heat
and winters cold, by the walls Of an orphans
asylum.
We rejoice TO say that our Institution is kept in
good order, well arranged for comfort and conve-
nience. Our matron unitirng in her efforts 10
train the children TO proper sense OF their duty
10 God and man, strict economist, and has the
respect as well as affection Of the children.
We have also good teacher, who we believe
to be faithful in the performance of her duties;
an assistant in the family interested in the orphans;
a cook and woman who comes day in each
week to assist in the washing.
The larger girls lassist in the work OF the family,
and taught 10 sew as soon as they are old
enough, and the boys after school hours have
such employment as is fitting for them.
We have, as will be seen by the Treasurer's
account, paid of debt Of one thousand dollars,
have been supported during the year, but are not
able 10 meet our expenses.
Two donations, of one thousand dollars each,
have been received, and according 10 the wishes
OF the donors, invested besides many other
smaller sums which have assisted in defraying.
the expenses of the house. To all we return our
thanks.
With the strictest economy, Of course the
amount is considerable that is required for such
a family.
We believe we shall be provided for we always
have been. though oft times the prospect has been
dark, and we scarce knew where the supply was
10 come from to pay our next months marketing.
We can do no more, lellow-citizens, than again 10
place our wants before you, feeling the assurance
That, with your knowledge OF every household,
you will not be unmindful OF the orphan and des-
Iitute child
To the pastors OF the various denominations, we
return grateful Acknowledgements
From collection in the English Lutheran
Church. ..',...... .....''.'....'..... SlI w
From Trinity Church. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. 407 03
..
Collection in The Foundry Chapel. ...... l39 rs
From the Church Of the Epiphany. 90 81
OF the collection in Trinity Church Mr.. Middleton
contributed $50, DR.. William p. Johnson $50, and
Mr.. North S25, TO be hereafter subscribers for the
above sum for the support Of an orphan, $50 being
the required sum.
To DIR. Palmer we return our thanks for con-
slant attendance during the illness OF the children
TO DR.. Hall also when called in consultation; TO
Drs. Patterson and Marin for medicines.
Work done by the household during the year:
IS comforts, III new mattrasses--l2 Ieflled-64
aprons, 81 undergarments, so pairs pants Is round.
abouts, 5 cioaks l3 nghtgowns, 81 capcs, As hand.
kerchefs hemmed, 20 shirts, ITO dresses, 100 yards
rag carpet, 2 bureau covers worked | quilt, 2
bonnets, 81 hoods newly lined.
Received during the ear.............S3,ll SO
Expended. ......"...... 3,ll5 50
Leaving debt Of. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. S726 co
SUSAN K. COKE, Secr'y.