Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-01-30

restoration of the adult criminal, and that the
more youthful presented the more hopeful
prospect of reform. AT different terms of the
Criminal Court the same cases re-appear,
showing that it is much easier to educate
them to reform. Public attention had
been called, since the burning of the State
Reform School at Westboro', to the OBJ
jections against having so large a num-
Der gathered together in such institutions.
Though the family system was better, yet the
necessities of the case led to a classification
according to character, and it had been recon-
mended as judicious to rebuild that institution
on plan sufficient to accommodate four hun
dred boys. The speaker referred to the state
almshouses. and expressed the conviction that
the prevailing system involves reckless eX-
penditure of money, and cruel waste Of life,
and ought to be speedily reformed 1t was
better to return TO the old poor laws. The
Hindoo child cast into the Ganges by its moth
er, had as much chance for charity as the child
surrendered to the tender mercies OF the COM
monwealth of Massachusetts. After every al
lowance for sickness and disease incident to
infants and children brought to these state in
situations, they have but slight chance for life,
when once left there.
The plan adopted by the Childrens Friend
Society was then adyerted to, as meeting the re-
quired want in the right way. Itwas the mis-
sion of the Orphans Home to protect the child
bereft of parental care, or neglected, by the
living death OF its parents, to be brought up
away from home. Its appeals to the citizens
of Worcester for support have never been IN
vain. 1t was Il most noble charity ana Wor-
thy of universal encouragement. Not only
duty, but interest, prompted ii. 1t cost less
to educate the boy, than to punish the man.
Home education was dwelt upon as an impor-
tant fundamentally in the prevention of vice
among the young. The contagiOn of vice
spreads rapidly, and our own children may be
ruined by being thrown in the company OF
some yagrant child of others, whom we have
refused to educate.
Judge Foster concluded by bidding the la
dies of the Childrens Friend Society God
speed in their noble work, regarding them as
a Protestant order of the Sisters OF Charity,
leading the youthful vagrant, bereft Of home
and friends, up to God.
The address of Mr.. Foster, of which we
give a mere sketch, was listened to with deep
interest AT its close, Rev. d. w. Faunce, of
the Pleasant street Baptist Church, was intro
duced. He said this was cause which APP
pealed not to Christians merely, but to all men.
A common humanity urged its cordial sup
port. Visiting the Criminal Court the past
week, he was surprised at the youthfnlness of
so many of the criminals. 1t was among the
saddest of sights to him. That which, more
than anything else, spoils so many, is the want
of home, and he enlarged upon the benefcent
influences of a Christian home, as the best
safeguard against the waywardness of the
young. Faithfully execute every law against
vice, still it avails nothing, if the youth are
bereft of the influences Of Christian home
where his character may be rightly moulded
and controlled.
Rev. r. r. Shipper of the Church of the
Unity, said he was glad to have the privilege
of speaking in behalf of cause in which he
felt so deep an interest. 1t was the best en-
bodiment of the Christian idea. Sympathy
with the unfortunate and less favored than
ourselves was one of the highest human attri-
butes. BY educating the children, we educate
and benefit ourselves in return, showing a
two-fod advantage of obedience to the divine
law. An inquiry to another, reflected equal in
jury to the wrong doer. He blessed God for
the ministers of charity who had originated
and kept along this enterprise, so much supe-
rior to state law in its potency for reform.
Law was hard-hearted Shyloek, demanding
the full measure and letter of the bond, but
these orphans homes embody the full Chris
tan idea of educating the young, instead of
casting them out upon the cold charities Of the
state. Mr.. Shipper closed by relating several
beautiful and affecting incidents, illustrative of
the subject. The meeting was dissolved after
singing by the children and benediction by
the pastor, Rev. Mr.. James.