The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-04-03
Orphans,

| VI HA1CAASs
The following, which we take from the
Natchez Democrat, was written, we war
rant, by a good father and.chaFitable man,
May those of our readers who pcrsue it
take to their hearts the lessons there con-
taincd;:
This article will most probably be skip
ped on account of its caption. People
arc so accustomed to hear charity ser
mons, and charity cant, and charity beg
ging, and to see spcculutions for charity,
and charity swindIes, that nowadays the
very name of charity has become sugges-
tive of money, and causes a sinking OF the
heart, and an involuntary grasp upon the
pocket book.
But let any one take moment of sol-
tude and imagine himself little orphan
child, or his children little orphans, with
only strangers TO look to for love and as
sistance, if they are to have love aud as
sistance at ak, and if he has any magma
ton and heart he will find II feeling Of
sad compassion coming over him, and q
desire to-shun the subject.
The source of most OF the hard-heartcd-
ness in this world, is thoughtlessness.-
There is no lack of sympathy when men
allow themselves to imagine themselves
in the place of those who arc needy or
suffering. The injunction ''know thyself,'
means know not only what you feel and
think now, but also how you would feel,
think and act under any given circum-
stances. Compassion and sympathy are
feeling just as the object presented feels.
We have compassion upon the suffering
and sympathy with the pocr, or joyous,
only when we can imagine that we feel
just us the suffering, or poor, or Joyous
feel.
Let us ask you, therefore, to try while
by yourself to-day or tonight, and mag
inc yourself or your child an orphan
You will then be able to sympathize with
an orphan. Many Of the little children
at the Orphan Asylums have had as gool
and loving parents as you, and as COM
Portable homes rs yours. But thcparcnts
arc dead and the homes dcsolate or occu-
pied by others.
Shut your eyes now, and give the rcns
to your imagination. You ere dead !;
your little boy and girl arc parcntless.-
They can te no longer claspcd in your
ly reproved. Their wants, ever if rela-
tives supply them, are only half foreseen
or provided. Your anxious love no lon
ger watches over them, and their joys and
their SORROWS must be impaired to stiH.h-
gers But those to whom you, or circum-
stances have entrusted the little ones, de-
privcd Of your care, become weary OF
them, and they arc shifted off TO other
strangers, or allowed to run half wild
upon the streets, until at last they are
sent to an orphan asylum: Thank God
for that They havea refuge at last, and
their most necessary wants may be sup
piled, even though the supply be prcca-
rious Charity in the community is at n
discount, and sometimes bread and meat
and clothes are scarce with yeur little
ones and the other little ones congrega-
ted there, and you canimagine your cher
ished children trying on the half worn
out shoes, and out-grown jackets and
frocks, sent, in chance of fit, by some
fortunate mother, and can see their pride
and comfort in wearing them, and can
see, too, the greed and joy they feel at
the little treat of piece Of cake or bit
OF candy-those children you now love SO
much, and who have everything they can
desire. And you see them of a Sunday
going to church in the procession, two
by two, with the ill-assortcd dresses, and
shabby, well brushed shoes, and thread
bare pants (tor charity, remember is at
discount) and see them file in and take
their seats to heara sermon on charity.
which falls upon weary ears, and excites
no sympathy for your dear children
They 90 back to their public home, and
the Matron, though She be an angel upon
earth, can work no miracle, and give them
delcaces where there is lack of even
plain food. and though SHE were endowed
with all human wisdom, and goodness.
and patience, cannot indul lge them in all
tho childishness you would have tolerated.
All this is very sad. Even though a
bountful fund were provided for the pub
lie charity, it is sad to be dependent upon
IL public charity for love, and tor food and
comfort. How much more grievous to
Matron, and nurse, and children when
the fare is poor, and scant, and precari-
Gus, and even rags, and old hats; and bon
nets, and shoes, arc acceptable gifts.
All, fellow subjects, if you will inquire
into the condition of the orphans, and will
follow our advice and imagine yourself or
yours to be in their position, You will
never allow them to want the few home
like comforts and pleasures you can make
shem have.
WEBsTEE's Mosr IMPORTANT TnouGIlT.
When Daniel Webster was Secretary q
State er1'rn Unat OF MI. Fillmore, he
wrote to ore of the proprietors of the As,
tor House, i'll New York. SAYING that he