Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-01-31
WORCESTER CITY AND COUNTY.
Children's Friend Society.

L ne tentn annual meeting OF the worcester
Children's Friend Society was held at the CRY
Hall, on Saturday afternoon last, Jan. 30
Hon. Levi Lincoln presided, and, after calling
the meeting to order, at halfpast two o'clock,
called upon Rev. DIR. Sweetser to offer prayer,
which he did in a fervent manner.
Gov. Lincoln then stated the objects of the
meeting, to re-organize the Society for another
year, and to hear and consider the reports of
the Secretary and Treasurer, and, above all,
to solicit the sympathy and cooperation of the
public for the aid of this bene6cent associa-
ton. Its aim was to support the helpless and
the destitute children, Dc prived of fathers or
mothers care. The assistance of the tdies
was particularly desired in this noble work
Gov. Lincoln closed by abiding, in feeling
terms, to the embaTassments of the Society,
created by the late unfortunate fire at the Or
phans' Home, just after the entire completion
and repair of the building, by which the chill
dren were driven out, homeless, but were kind
ly taken care of by the benevolent aid of 9TH
ers, and given comfortable refuge in the
West wing of the City Almshouse.
The reports of the Corresponding Secretary
and Treasurer, Mrs. Pomeroy Knowlton and
Mrs j. w. Wetherell, were then read by Hon.
Dwight Foster, at the request Of those officers.
These reports aye ably drawn up, and give de-
tailed statements of the condition of the Socie-
ty, and its operations during the past year.
sECRETARY's REPORT.
The report of the Secretary, Mrs. Knowl
ton, which she makes in behalfof the Board of
Managers, says the past year has been, in
many respects, memorable and eventful one
in the history of the institution. Abiding to
the late fire at the Home, she says it has been
marked by dark and mysterious Providences
and trying dispensations, and the dsappoint
ment of cherished plans; but at the same time,
distinguished by numerous mercies, which
should call forth our warmest gratitude, for the
noble deeds of charity to the orphan and the
fatherless, which have been exhibited, in the
aid rendered to repair the loss, by young men
and maidens, pastors and people, female be-
nevolent societies, and other societies, and Sun.
day school children, by all, indiscrimnateiy,
who have spontaneously profered their kindly
sympathy. By the rapid execution of meas
ures to that end, the repairs upon the building
burnt are nearly completed, and it will soon be
ready for the reception of the occupants.
There are now at the Home, temporarily To-
Gated in the West wing of the City Almshouse,
thirty-two children, of whom eighteen have
been deprived, by death, of one or both pa
IL,
during the year has been thirty-ive, of whom
a considerable portion are Americans the re-
mainder being of English or Irish parentage,
TREAsURER's REPORT.
The report of the Treasurer, Mrs. Wether-
ell, says the Society commenced the past year
burdened with heavy debt. Soon, those will
ing to assist those most needy in our city, Of
fered their aid, which was welcome indeed
While the members of the Society were in full
anticipation, just upon the last days work of
the former repairs upon the Orphans Home
building, making it, at great expense complete
for the convenience of its occupants ON the
morning of Nov %, 1858, fire broke out in
the upper story, supposed, by competent judg-
SoJ " nave OIlSlIldlcu lIOn COUl-
bustion of a wooden comforter, the gift of
short time previous. The more valuable pos
sessions, of the Society, in the house, bed
quilts, &c., being, on account of the painting
below, stored in the upper story, were de-
stroyed, and the loss was very severely felt
Gratitude is then feelingly expressed for the
kindly assistance subsequently rendered, by
various individuals and associations, not only
in Worcester but other places. Further as
sistance is also feelingly solicited. The report
states that the Society have determined, in
accordance with the advice of many friends,
to hold fair the next Autumn, when aid in
every form, by contributions and otherwise
from every quarter, will be thankfully receiv
ed, for the promotion of the noble object of
the association
The following receipts from the several col
lectors, are acknowledged: