Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-17
REPORT OF the Washington city Pro-
testant Asylum Tor Orphans and Des-
titute Children, for 1855.
any cradle, was the couch OF care
And sorrow rocked me IN it,

any cradle, the couch OF care
And sorrow rocked me in it,"
The spring, with lis freshness and emerald
beauty. has fed. The humble violet and the
modest lily OF The valley, have dropped their head
withered, and died. The scorching suns OF sum
mer the delicious fruits; The vegetable world
have run their course. The harvest has been
gathered in. The scar and yellow leaf trembling
on the mighty oak, has fallen. The busy plough
man has prepared his ground. and sown his seed
The ant has built her cell. The songster of the
grove has plumed his wings, and sought The " sun
ny Sou,h;" and, now, comes on the bowling blasts,
The piercing storms OF Winter. But what matters
il 10 The worldly wise man." his barns filed,
his store houses over flowing. The waving forest,
and the deep dark mine yield their abundance 10
cheer and brighten his social hearth. The wife.
the mother, the prattling child the lovely babe all
Their, folding his arms IN luxur. Gus ease his
own comforts all absorbing, he thinks not /" OF
anoiher's Woe All man of weath-dost thou
not know thy larders may be filled, thy shelving
closets overflow, thy table groan with dainties but
while pea and want, unheeded, stand shivering
Thy door, the blessing of God is not in thy midst.
Perhaps, in view of Thy stately mansion. may be
found the humble root, the pallet OF straw, the
aching temple and the hectic hush--death may
do its work, and around the cold remains may
gather lritle ones, cast upon the word without a
friend but TO knock nj sorrows door, TO lft the
lowy latch, is not in all thy thoughts; that must
be left for those who have not much OF this
worlds goods 10 look after. Alas, the lament that
must follow, "and my late spring bud, or
bosom showeih.' All how many are there
commencing liie summers sea, float
down the stream Of time, with Youth al the
prov, and pleasure at the helm" t hoary headed,
they land on the shores of an endles eternity,
with very few To drop tear over their ashes. or
10 ihanl: God that they have ever lived.
But there are others. kind benevolent beings.
10 whom The sorrowful sighings OF the afflicted
never appeal IN vain. BY such, were the walls
Of our institution raised; by such supported and
10 such, again, we look for support.
IL Is wuh great pleasure the Managers present
their report Tor the past year. Never has our
asylum been in more 1ourishing condition.
) xty.two children have been protected, clothed
aud fed. The arrangements OF the house have
been conduct q with system, neatness and econo-
NV the children cared for with almost maternal
tenderness. Our mairon, happy herself IN the
discharge oil her duties, makes all around her
happy Contentment and health may be
every brow. Within the year, there has not been
a case Of IRess the attending physician having
only paid three professional visits.
We have come 10 the close Of this year, able 10
meet our expenses; liberal donations having
enabled US 10 do so.
While much - done, much remains 10 be done
The house must be enlarged, or we shall be
oblig ID TO turn The helpless orphan from our door
We cannot well accommodate more than three
children, besides those we already number; and
IN view OF the coming season, we denied n case,
not as extreme, as we may expect.
Our subscription list continues very small
Some OF the reverend clergy have kindly re.
sponded To our call and their collections have
greatly assisted in enabling 10 meet ex.
pense.. To whom can we look, but 10 our
generous friends aud doubtless therc those
| around us whose attention has not been called TO
THIS house OF the destitute and orphan child, who
be willing TO aid Us, IN enlargng our building.
Are there not those who will pledge themselves
| ~ this incompatible charlty2 However thrilling
Others may be IN their appeals, none exceed,
few compare, with helpless childhood. Surely
| our community, increasing IN numbers, and grow
| ing ~ wealth. will not permit the orphan child
TO be cast upon the world, exposed 10 the snares.
temptations, and pitfalls Of vice. We urge the
citizens 10 visit the institution. To see bright
aud happy faces there, will be more powerful
argument than anything we can offer.
We have thir,y.nine girls aud twenty hree
| boys. Fifteen children have been received -; and
six returned by request 10 their friends, or placed
70 suitable situations one having b,en sdop'ed
| We nave matron, q teacher, an assistant seam
stress living IN the family, and person who
| comes one day IN each week 10 assist in the
! washing. The larger girls assist in the work o