The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-08-12

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we respectfully request that you furnish US
with copy of your report for publication.
j With sentiments of sincere regard and es-
TEEN, yours, WIN. U. Bee
JOIN HANCKEL,
| G.. E. HUGER.
REPORT OF THE REV. A. TooMER PORTER on
rgE CONDITION OF THE CHURCH HOME AND
PARocHIAL SCHOOL OF THE CHURCH OF THE
HOLY COMMUNION.
| CHARLESTON, August l.
To Messrs. Wm. C. Bee, John Ranckel, c. K.
Huger:
GENTLEMEN-Although from the dissolution
of the Pioneer Southern Educational Aid Socie-
ty, in October last, your connection with the
Parochial School and Church Home under my
charge officially ceased, still from the interest
manifested by you In the enterprise, 1 trust
you will permit me to make this, my third an
nual report, of the condition and prospects OF
this work, begun in faith, and carried on with
| a firm reliance upon Divine Providence, and
with much hard work. Our third year closed
on the 3lst of July, 1870, and in looking back
over these three years past, offer thanks and
| praise to our Heavenly Father for the work
which He has wrought by our hands, for the
large measure of success He has vouchsafed us
for the singular exemption from disease and
death, the unbroken harmony in its admins
tratlon and operations, the unblameable and
irreproachable department Of our pupils, the
marked obedience, docility and gentlemanli-
ness of the same, the gift Of His Grace and
HOLY Spirit to some of them, and for that kind
ly interest which has been awakened, and the
liberal pecunary aid we have received at home
and abroad.
You are aware that this work was COM
menced In 1857 without dollar; its object was
to rescue youths from ignorance and conse-
auent degradation, who, from the calamities
fthe war. were deprived Of the opportunities
| of On education, and to bridge over the gulf
| between our ruined Slate and the hour when
prosperity, or at least partial recuperation,
would enable our citizens to educate their
children. The generation of that day will of
course be taken care of; but that generation
Immediately affected by the war, in the mean
while was losing time which could never be re-
deemed. You are also aware that In the spring
of 1868, through the efforts of Mr. W. W.
Glenn, of Baltimore, the Pioneer Southern
Educational Aid Society was formed; its con-
stitution was tor FIVE years, and Its pledge to
me was to see this effort through three
years. had provided pretty much for myself
for the first year, receiving from them a
limited amount-say Sl647 05. The last year,
ending August, 1869, was generously assisted
by the society to the amount of $500 0s,
which, with what I procured at home and
through my personal exertions abroad, car
rled me through, leaving only small balance
unprovided for. You may judge my conster-
nation, last September, when received no.
tice from Mr.. Glenn that could not rely longer
upon the aid OF the soc!ety-expressing every
eyery satisfaction and confidence in the ad-
ministration of the school and home, bu!
assigning various reasons for this sudden with
drawful of support. deem 1t worthy Of re-
| cord. lust here, to say that in my appeals and
efforts I never concealed the fact that
| it was connected with the Parish OF the
Church of the Holy Communion" never
made public appeal In Its behalf, save
that received assistance from few, not OF
the Episcopal Church, but, as their signatures
will show, signed By themselves under the
heading sin aid of the Parish School and
Church Home of the Church of the Holy Com
munion, Charleston" As had several chill
dren of the denominations in the Home, and
as 1 did not make 1t compulsory that they
- 0tta x1.lfh fhnnph
course, they had to attend the Sunday school
and parish church, did not, and do not,
| think 1t amiss that their co-religionists should
| have contributed to their support. have to
| Observation-Disclosures had, from the beginning,
some of the Baptist persuasion in my Home.
Now, the Episcopal Church Is as iar as the
east Is from the west from that sect, IN her
doctrine and practices. yet have not Induced
any one of them to be baptized without the
full consent OF their parents. OF course, /
should be untrue to my convictions and to q
sense of Christian duty If did not exercise eve.
ry moral and religious influence, In my power,
to bring all can into the old paths Of Catholic
certain I was holding and living In, should
seek without delay. But have not excluded
any child because he was not a child OF the
church, at the same time feeling under no
obligation to observe any but the one discl-
plne for all, because of few dollars. aud COM
paratively very few, that Glanced not 10 be
J from churchmen.
So much for that subject, which for reasons
| deem necessary here to record. None but
| God knew the anxiety with which commenc-
ed the term last October, now brought to a
close, relying confidently upon the pledged
support at least for another year of the Pho
neer Southern Educational Aid Society. had
enlarged my operations, and had consented to
take Seventy-fve boys. When that aid was
withdrawn it was too late for me to draw
back. I knew that had smAl private
property that might be sacrificed, but no one
could or should lose by my efforts; and so |
kept nv council, carried q brave face. and
met all nv engagements and promises. look
inc to q gracious God, under whose Inspiration
believe this work was begun, to sustain me
in my time of trouble. III November my pa,
rish kindly excused me, and took hurried
trip to Baltimore, Washington and New York.
The president of the society and two OF the
directors expressed astonishment at the
information given me by the treasurer,
Mr.. Glenn, and assured me that I would be
sustained through the year. My estimates were,
| that would require $1,000 more than could
see the way OF getting, provided all who had
pledged to me at home could fulfil their
pledges. With this cheering encouragement
1 returned. and shortly afterwards received
a donation of $4,000 from the estate OF Mr.
| Caleb Dorsey, from the3executors, one OF whom
| had known me as little child many years
ago when he was a student at Yale College,
and we were then residing in New Haven; ne
had never forgotten US, and, having peen
90. do <hta uNri0 a