The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-11-05

ing and evening devotions, and they
also say Grace before each meal. A
majority of the boys voluntarily kncel
by their bedside and engage iE silent
prayer, before retiring at night, and
after arising in the morning They
are taught to be respectful, polite, obe-
dient and kindr-to refrain from pro-
fame language and vulgar expressions
and it is remarkable how cheerfully
they adopt and carry out the desires
of their teachers The great and ru-
ling spirit which seems to pervade and
govern the Institution, is kindness
Many of these boys have never before
had the blessed opportunities they now
enjoy, and it is truly gratifying to see
how they appreciate them, and how
nobly they are striving to overcome
their past weaknesses, and to adopt
new modes of life and will increase
their usefulness and happiness.
DAY OF BoY-ttFE AT THE FARM.
Doubtless the reader, as well as the
visitor, marvels how it is possible for
Commissioner Howe, four Elder Broth
crs, and Gardener, to keep two hun
dred of the recently worst boys in o.
hio at the Farm with not single
guard and no enclosure but a rail-fencel
Such is the fact; and yet in 1862 but
one boy escaped from the Institution,
+ while thirty-four reformed were dis
oh argcd to the care Of their friends,
c;ob teen to care of themselves, and
rino ,~erc indentured. Some of the
general r. 'asons for these gratifying re-
suits we ha vc already given. Let us
IooL in faniIi,, 'rly upon he boys for
day, and the see, ct of success will be
better understood.
The boys are classeo lh'o r"n'll'eS o'
about fifty each, and hay G Their sep"
rate Homes, each in charge oi an EIdei
Brother, young man who ac, . Us gov
ernor and instructor. The prese. NJ I'll
der Brothers are J. r. Clarke, ofCl> No'
land; W. S. Carpenter, of kenoshs
Wisconsin; f. s. Watterson and IL. II.
Watterson, of Newburg. Mr.. Clarke
has charge Of the Home known as the
"Cuyahoga Family From March lst
to November lst, the boys rise on
week days when the Farm bell rings
at 81 A. NJ, and are washed and drcs-
sed ready for breakfast at g. in the gen
eral dining hall, at which an Elder
Brother presidos. The present form
for Grace at the table is in the following
appropriate words said by the boys,
after being seated, in concert;
accept our thanks and bless this
food, as we receive it, with humble
gratitude. May we grow from grace
to grace, and be prepared for useful
ness"
On rising from breakfast, the Lords
Prayer is repeated in concert. The
Boys then retire in single file, each as
he passes the open folding doors be-
tween the hall and the family dining
room, making graceful military saluta-
ton to the Acting Commissioner, his
lady the Elder Brothers, and casual
guests, who remain seated. The best
Of order and decorum are maintained
by the boys at the table and in going
to and from the hall, Indeed, they set
an example for all we'll regulated fam
lilies.
The boys march with military step
and time to the brick walk across the
lawn between the Cuyahoga and Mus
kingum Families, and there form in
line, the largest in the centre, The
Elder Brother calls the Gardeners
Force to the 'front.' when the boys Of
his division step into line at the centre,
two PAGES in front, and the lads in the
rear draw close up to the centre. The
Gardener perhaps wants moro than
hisusual force for the day, and names
to the Elder Brother his selections.
They fall in as called, when the Gard
cner says" Right dress :" Right
face -" March y" Left =" Left =
LIEF" until the football to the field
dies away in the distance. So of the
other "Forccs some to the peach
orchards to gather fruit; some to bud
ding in the nursery; some to clearing
in the woods some to grading the
earth from the new buildings; some to
cistern digging; some TO the plow-
field some to town with peaches; and
Others to various employments, until
the long line Of quiet but happy look
ing lads has entirely Disappeared
Thus they engage in light and pleas
ant industry under the eye of the El-
der Brothcrs-but not the whip-for
five and a half hours, when the Farm
bell rings at u M, for dinner. The
boys assemble in their several Fami-
lies" wash, and at the second ring re-
pair in order to the table. After din
nor they play till II Pm, at ball, mar
bles, jumping, tag, quoits, turning
ool,, oto ,only;nc. tho nrrnun1s l;volN,