Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-01-30
Cltu ano County gnteIIlgrnee.
Annual Meeting Of the Children's Friend Soci-
ETY. and Orphans Home

Annual Meeting Of the Childrens Friend Soci-
ETY. and Orphans Home.
The annual business meeting of this society
was held in the yestry of the Pleasant ST. Bap-
fist Church Saturday afternoon. Hon. Rejoice
Newton presided. After the preliminary and
devotional exercises, the eleventh annual re-
port of the secretary, Mrs NJ. Knowlton, was
read by Mrs. Brown =
sECRETARY's REPORT.
The report speaks in terms OF gratitude OF
the prosperous condition of the society. Those
of the managers who have been connected
with this charity from its small beginnings
watching its progress with intense solicitude,
have not failed to observe Power--workng
with and above them, inspiring courage, re-
moving difficulties, and giving success to eff
forts far beyond their own--ensted in their
cause. Recognizing this Heavenly guidance
they are prepared to ask, not in any spirit of
egotism or selfcomplacency, "What have are
etiected?" but with deep humility, and admir-
ing gratitude, "What hath God wrought! z"
The report refers to the time when the charity
was first organized, without funds, without
any settled habitation to shelter their outcasts,
but not without faith or earnest prayer and
contrasts it with its present useful and -four
ishing condition. 1t is now generally and
tavorably known as deserving institution,
the validity of its claims are acknowledged by
all who have hearts to feel for the untold grets
of forsaken childhood uncheered by the voice
of family affection or maternal love. 1t claims
to have done much, through the influence of
its institution in Pine street, and through the
public school established in answer to the petit
ton of its mana gers, towards changing the
character of that portion of the city. The
Home in its more direct influence is family
school, where neglected and frendless children
receive their first ideas of higher and better
| life their first perceptions of moral rectitude
and religious truth. 1t may not be perfect in
arrangements, but it has proved blessing
not only to its inmates, but to every family in
the city. OF its pecuniary condition. though
the report speaks in an encouraging manner,
yet it is not above the need of constant remem-
brance and aid. The society is not rich. Not
more than one tenth part of the sum to which
it is limited by its charter, including the prop
erty left it by Mr. Lincoln, has yet been given
The managers, conscious of the responsibility
which rests on them, have endeavored to ad-
minister the contributions which have flowed
into their hands, unselfishly, and for the high
est good of all The Home is fully restored
from the effects of the late fire. Eleven chill
dren have been admitted during the year,
thirteen have been returned from families
where they were placed on trial, and thirty
seven now remain under the matron's care.
The children are the recipients of much kind
ness, and their Christmas and New Years holi-
days were rendered unusually bright dhappy.
Sleigh rides, social parties, and other special
indulgenees have been placed within their
reach through the kindness of friends and
patrons of the Institution The report closes
with grateful acknowledgment to Hon. A. H.
Bullock, for his annual address last year, and
for his earnest and successful aid in liquidating
the debt which then rested upon the society
Fully believing with him that these unf0rtu-
nate children are not thrown upon this COM
munity, merely as candidates for its generosity,
but with vested claim to its protection, title
to its guardianship written and treasured by
the recording angel, the managers once more
present the claims of the Orphans HOme-a
phrase of talismanic powers, appealing directly
to the heart-to the favorable consideration
OF all who desire, in the spirit Of their Divine
Master, to seek out and save those, who, but
for their seasonabe interference, may perhaps
be lost. He who was ever ready to be recog-
nized as the 'Children's Friend" has thrown
around each of the defenseless ones the shield
of his protecting care, and is this day saying
unto us, "He that receiveth one such little
child in my name, receiveth me, receiveth
him that sent me-"
TREAsURER's REPORT.
The financial statement of the year was read
by the Treasurer, Mr.. J. W. WetherelI. The
names of the gentlemen whose contributions
relieved the society of its impending debt
were:
All, Bullock, $50; Draper Duggles $50; D. S. Mes
singer, $40; Nathan Washburn, SIS; f. Ii. kinni-
cut S25; Levi Lincoln, $50; Henry Gouldng, $25
George T. Rice. SIS; Stephen Salisbury, $50; Z. H.
Hemmenway, S25 j. c. Mason, $50; Edwin Conant
S25; Mrs. X. b. Wheeler, $25; Dwight Foster, $25
ian unknown friend,n $50; Total, $50
The report speaks with especial gratitude of
some of the more constant and devoted friends
of the society, among whom are mentioned
Mrs Wheeler of Dixfield, Maine, who at the
age of nearly 80 years, still bears them in re-
membrance Mrs. Pratt of Princeton, the
numerous sewing circles of this city, and those
in Oxford, West Brookield, Charlton, New
Braintree, Northbridge Centre, Mllbury, and
Holden.
The receipts of the society were from the
following sources -