Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1866-08-08
Mlisttllaneous Aeaaim.
HALISTERVILLE SOLDIERS ORPHAN
SCHOOL.

Nh. EDITOR BE kind enough to
lend US the use Of your columns to give
to the public some accoun, OF visit to
the Orphan School, at MeAlistersvllle
and of the ceremonies attendant upon
laying the corner stone of a new building
which it has been founa necessary to
erect for the better accommodation OF the
school
Our visit to the school was unexpected
and consequently those having charge of
the Institution had no time to prepare for
an inspection as they are charged with
sometimes doing, We oandidly confess
that from reports we had heard, we Wis
tied the school with no very favorable
impressions with regard to its manage
ment. We had been informed that the
children were harshly treated-were over
tasked-illy fed and poorly clad, and
their moral and intellectual culture neg
lected-in short, that the school was a
speculation" gotten up for the benefit
Of a political lavori,e. But after exam
ming the school, its rules and regola-
iions-conversing with the children
listening to their rectations-aad witness
ing the cOnduc. Of the Institution, we
were convinced Of the absolute falsi,y OF
the deganatory reports which had reached
US. We found much to admire and moth
ing to ceasure.
On visiting the school, a stranger is
iorclbiy impressed wi,h the unaiTected
cheer:ulness which prevails among the
children. We have visited charitable In-
stitutions for children before, and iu al,
most all Of them, observed that the chill
dren had, more or less, sad, depressed
expression, as if the idea Of being de-
pendent upon public charity had obtruded
Itself even upon their youus minds. But
not SO here The children seemed univer-
sally cheerful, reminding one Of happy
contented family circle Another thing
must attract the attention Of every one
the real, genuine, unrestrained affection
which these children entertain towards
their preceptors. la this there is no de-
ception. Whenever the teachers appear
ed, they were instantly surrounded by a
bevy Of smiling children, while the beam
ing couutenance and the afec,ionate kiss.
proclaimed the genuinness Of the attach
ment which existed between Instructor and
pupil. This affectionate familiarity, how
ever, does not exist TO the exclusion of a
wholesome iisci. line. The wishes of the
instructors, were instantly ooayad with an
alacrity which showed that affection is
blended with a proper respect for their
guardians. As regards clothing, all the
children were pianely, but comfortably,
clad. They have their suit for every day,
and neat and eenteel clothing for the
Sabbath Their food if not, perhaps. as
varied as what we might expect at u first
class hotel is wholesome, well prepared
and literally provided. The statements
with regara to tke children being over
:asked is about as true as the other de
fama;ory reports. The aim Of the Prin-
cipal is to unite physical with mental
culture. To secure this end. and to pro-
mote the health Of the pupils, the chill
dren are required 70 spend two hours each
day in labor Of some kind. The BOYS
assist in cultivatins the ground attached
to the Institution, taking care Of the
stock, etc , while the girls are encourage.
ed to engage in those domestic avocatiaus
which will fit them for usefulness hereaf.
ter. But while thus attentive to phys
lcal well being Of the children, their in-
tellectual and moral training is not neg
lected. Competent teachers have been
provided to instruct them in the various
branches of education The best text
oj ks are used and no efforts spared to
encourage the children to avail themsel-
YES of the opportunities afforded them
They are carefully instructed in the great
:ruths of christianity, taught to reverence
heir Creator in the days of their youth,
o seek His blessing on all their under
akings, to avoid everything low or de-
;radiug, to be o5cdient to their teachers,
nd kind and cousiderate towards each
ther. Aud the effect of this training is
pparent in the polite, orderly conduct Of
hese children, and in the absence of thu;
ude, boisterous manner SO characteristic
f the children of our day.
When VIC consider the many difficulties
'hich have been encountered by the