Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-02-04
Annual Report of the Secretary of the
Protestant Orphan AsYIum


On an anniversary filled with touching re-
miniscences, our first emotion is deep and
heartfelt gratitude to the author of all our
blessings, for his watchful care and guidance
since the commencement of our enterprise to
the present hour. Most truly gratifying to US
is the contemplation of our orphans in the
enjoyment of health and comfortable home.
We congratulate ourselves on the aid We con-
tinue to receive from the Free School, towards
their steady advancement in intellectual inn
provement, leaving to us the industrial and
moral portion of their education, thus happily
cooperating in the formation of their cha
racters for future usefulness.
Ample grounds surrounding the Asylum
afford them, in the short intervals of leisure,
the opportunity of relaxation necessary to
health and cheerfulness. They still perform
all the manual labor of the household, and
make their own clothing. The neatness and
order that prevail evince the judicious super
attendance of the Matron, Mrs. SPENCER, who,
since her short stay with us, entities herself to
our thanks and kind consideration.
The happy arrangement of transferring some
of our orphans to desirable situations in re-
spectacle families by adoption, will, we trust,
secure to them, the vigilant care and atten-
will result in mutual friendship that may in
fuence their future dcstines.
We have, as yet, no cause to regret placing
some of our larger girls in the ''house of In
dustry," thus qualifying them by knowledge
of useful necdle-work to obtain respectable
Independence when they will be wholly thrown
on their own resources.
We cannot be too thankful to those who,
from time To time, have kindly assisted us in
placing books on our shelves; and indulge
the hope of similar flvors. BY encouraging
our girls in reading well-scccted authors, we
hope to establish permanent claim on their
kind recollection, when in future they may
be called TO persue Il path which will re-
quire the direction such moral guides point
out.
The contemplation Of an almost exhausted
treasury, for some time past, would have fill
ed us with fear and dsmay, had we not relied
on the sympathy that has never failed in the
tablcaux and supper affords us present relief
For this timely boon we bow in gratitude to
the young ladies and gentlemen of this city,
who, with refinement of taste and sensibili- |
ty, thus gracefully contributed to the support
of our little girls.
Our patronizing friends respond in the usu-
al way, and we can give no more earnest as
surance of our grateful appreciation of their |
than the wish that they may have |
many enjoymcnts of as pure and elevating a
nature Us were ELECTED on that occasion. There
can be no higher bcnevolence than that ex-
tended to young children. When we fold
around them, in their innocence the arms of
charity, do we not initiate that encouraging
notice of them expressed by our Savior
What better impulse than the wish to hight |
a smile" on their young faces. There can be
no more important trust laid on our RESPONSE
blity than the care of the rising generation.
Our LITTLE girls have within them the germs of
future excellence. Transplantcd to genial
soil, with watchful care and culture, we trust
they will expand in beauty Of character and |
in their usefulness spread moral influence
around Them Toqualify them TO fill respect
able stations will be the contamination of our
most ardent wishes
Thus far have we witnessed the answer to |
our orphan prayer, give us our daily bread
We humbly trust We shall he the Instruments
of giving support and shelter to those whom
the late visitations of Providence have given
Il claim to our sympathies. To all cases of /
destitution we chcertully open our doors. as
sured of the kind cooperation of our friends /
and the public. Such timely appreciation of 4
our wants at this Indictment season, will swell !
the tide of gratitude. lifting up our hearts to |
that Great Source of mercy to whom the mar
lners crledin their peril, save or we perish,
To our benevolent friend DIR. Il. c. X. MAR
TN, We would acknowledge our deep sense of
obligation for physical services in Cases of ILL.,
ness AT the Asylum.
DR.. j. BRowN entities himself TO our repeat
I'd thanks for medicines furnished during the
past year.
The publishers of the city will accept our
grateful sense of their kindness, with sincere
wishes for their prosperity.
All who have made Us donations we include
N our present hope that blessings may attend
them. CATHERINE STEWART.
Corresponding Secretary
February, list, 1858.
AANAGklis FOR THE YEAP, 1858.
Mrs. DIR. SHELBY, President.
Mrs. JAcoB MCGAyocK, Vice President.
Mrs. C. STEWART, Corresponding Secretary.
Mrs. III. e.. SCovEL. Recording Secretary.
Mrs. WASH. Is. COOPER Treasurer
From he Bgtisf Church