The New York herald., 1870-01-03
CHARITY AND MERCY.
How the Friendless and Destitute are
Cared For In the City Insti-
tutions Of Mercy.
~~~~~~-~>-oo~~~~~~>~o-o

tutions Of Mercy.
The private charitable institutions Of the metropo-
liz have kept pace with the growth of the great
city. Years ago, wnen Canal street was considered
90 far out OF town as TO be classed within the lonely
precincts OF the suburbs" the private charities
were not by any means few and far between, but
they were conducted on such small scale, and
were tied down by such old fogy notions and tho
bgotry OF the narrow minded that their usefulness
was to q very large extent impaired. Al the city
began gradually 10 creep beyond the Canal street.
boundary, and the wants OF tho poor became more
pressing as their numbers increased the attention
OF large hearted men, who mad plentiful means to
make their charitable intentions OF more than
theoretical value, was more and more directed to
their condition, and to the various institutions
founded for the benenr OF the worthy suffering
from poverty. Private institutions OF charity being
solely dependent upon subscriptions and the
requests Of all pious persons who be-
lIeve that few hundred dollars left to
the poor smooths their way to heaven,
have great many dif1cultes to contend with that
are unknown to institutions which supported BY
subsidies and state moneys, and twenty years ago
especially they ana oil led very pecarious sort
OF existence and had oftentimes to be saved from
utter ruin by the eleventh hour charity OF some in.
dlyidual VINO had more money than the majority oe
folks.
From the earliest moment Of the birth Of private
institutions In the city 1t became evident that the
begUars and the adult poor were not by any means
the most needy, and that little children OF both
sexes, and girls OF tender age, VINO had been de-
prved Of their natural protectors, were in greater
need OF assistance than any other class. 1t not
until about twenty-five years ago thae any proper
private asylum had been founded for their special
III No drsto oua " aOU
Tying that 1t led to the founding OF several others,
which were equally well supported by the charities
OF private individuals The Oldest In existence,
and which was founded in 1884 is the
HOME FOR THE FRIENDLEss,
under the care OF the American Female Guardian
Society. The meetings OF the Executive Committee
OF this society were at first held In rear basement
| under the old Tract House. Tue promoters Of the
charity started the institution with the idea of maxi
| ting it refuge where the frlendess could be pro-
tected and trained to virtue and usefulness and tha
idea they have always made the primary object OF
the charity. The society. feeling that 1t would be-
compelled to struggle with difficulties which mighr
finally prove nsurmountabe II 1t were compelled tn
rely upon its own limited resources made an appeal TO
the public to afford them the means to erect suit
able home for the objects OF their benencence Tho
| charitable responded nobly to the call made upon
them, and in December, ls4S the house No. 80 East
Inlrtletl street was secured aB B uOWe anu Openeu
for the receptionof thar class OF unfortunates for
| whom the society had so long labored. Eight years
| from the time the Home opened the WORK Of the
society had SO greatly Increased tnat the Board OF
| Counsellors deemed IL advisable to extend their
facilities the reception OF the riendless bv erect
ing additional building IN Twenty-ntntn street for
| Q chapel and hospital.
| 1t became necessary in order to complete the new
building, TO obtain 5000 by mortgage, and In 1851
| the managers made q second appeal to the public to
help them out Of deDt. subscriptions to the amount
| OF 81 800 were the only result OF the appeal bat
| during the same year the Legislature, winch had
been applied to for assistance, voted the society
$4,000 Before the close Of the year the remainder,
| e. 200 had been collected and the management was
entirely free from debt.
! THE GOOD WORK DONE.
The institution is now divided into four distinct
departments the Home itself the industrial school,
the visiting committee and the , publishing depart.
| temporary retreat for Outcast children, who arc
taken care Of until they can pc provided for by the
managers II also makes 1t a special object to give
shelter youthful adults until they can be restored
| to their parents or be gwen some employment NO
s,ons oas" prescribe : thai hat yoSng females Of GOOD
moral character. destitute Of funds friends
tuition By order Of manager or at the
discretion OF the matron until their cases can
applicants they shall be boarded and employed till
suitable places or occupation can be found for them,
| ErIauuiCSS
| teen and over three years Of age. and boys under
ten and three years OF age either orphan or
M BY .e os M aa
for them, by adoption or Otherwise lnvalds are
not admitted"
The industrial schools attached to the Institution
are seven in number. The children are taught to
read sew slng &C., and are initisted INTO cleanly
There are in the institution 227 adults. During
the year 1859 1000 adults had been provided with
situations. There were 452 children In the Home,
| I
| and 1852 "irregulars." The tota number of bene-
nciares ssh, aud oaves Of bread given to the
poor $50 and Oaves OF bread furnished to indus
/ trial schools AZ, 00o
Another institution for the friendess is the
| HOUSE OF MERCY,
on the corner OF Houston and Mulberry streets.
This institution established III 1919 BY the late
Most Rev. John Hughes, Archbishop OF New York.
Several SISTERS OF Mercy from Ireland took charge
OF the Institution from us start, and although their
on small scale 10 house in washington place; in
May 184S they removed to the large dwelling house
where they now are, and two years slterwaids ane
was erected The abors OF the good Sisters have
increased q matter OF course since then, ana the
| institution In prosperity and usefulness. Young
girls OF good character put VINO are destitute and
have no friends to take care OF them, are admitted
their new state and taught useful employments until
situations can be provided for them" There are
usually about 100 IN the house. Among them there
are many who old TO be admitted
into orphan asylums aud too young and in-
guidance and the temptations OF q large city,
ConneCed with the institution there is an industrial
school for poor girls between the ages OF eleven and
eighteen. They admitted free OF expense. and
taught remunerativc trades. Clothing and books
| are contributed to the extremely INDECENT.
There Ia still another institution which serves the
same purposes as The two ABOVE mentiOned-the
EPISCOPAL HOUSE OF MERCY,
I'm EiQntv.sxth street. west OF Broadway. II Ia
under the charge OF Eplscopalians and Its special
purpose to TO the aid OF young girls between
the ages OF twelve and twenty Tho have strayed
from the paths OF virtue. 1t was founded In 1854,
and occupies an Old fashioned, double house that
| Sfa de in no of ahout Ground