The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-09-29
STTPERINTEEDENT's REPORT.


work is an unpopular one. Many
think it a useless undertaking-that
it will be labor IN vain, and money
thrown away-and some so misunder-
stand its work as to regard 1t as en-
enlargement to sin.
But to Us it Is q work Of the deep
est importance, and full OF hope and
encouragement. The field IS white
to the harvest, and we are glad OF the
privilege of entering as laborers.
There are many obstacles In our way,
some of which we viii mention. One
source Of difficulty Is the secrecy and
impunity enjoyed on one side, which
removes restraint and encourages In
sin; while on the other side all hope
and aspiration is crushed out BY $50
lation and helplessness. Said one.
guilty of years of sin, Nothing need
be said about this; my family know
nothing about it. and l don't want
them to-" Another. a poor. young
girl says, Il have given up all efforts
to do better; | have tried and found
good places, but some one would take
the trouble to tell them what | had
done, and / would be sent away; L
can never be anything again, do what
1 will; L wish l could blot out the
past three years"
Another obstacle is, the difficulty of
removing these girls from temptation.
1t may come from the high or the low,
the rich or the poor, the respectable or
the degraded, the citizen or Othcer. the
irreligious or the professor.
In my journal is this entry: A well
dressed young man called day. and
wished to see one of our inmates; said
he had letter from her, and called
to sec what she wanted; was told our
Home was not for such callers as he,
but that if he felt it his duty to do
anything for her, he could leave it'for
her. He.seemed a little uncomforta-
BILE in his position and business, and
went away. Saw o man coming slowly
down the alley, looking around care
fully. Seeing me, he entered the gate.
and inquired if we had girl of the
name Of Yes, sir. would
like to see her." what is your bust
ness?" "Oh, it is of private charao-
ter" No one sees my family but in
my presence" We'll, you can be
present, but my business is private"
i shall have no business transacted
in my family, that / am ignorant Of
If you have anything you feel it your
duty to give her, / will receive it."
"Ohl am q stranger to her; | never
saw her." Transacting business for
another persona" :" No, on my own
account" You cannot see her"
Well, shall not interfere with the
regulations Of the Home" No
sir" He hesitated all the way
through; think his business per-
picked him. Don't know why he
came through the alley.
This danger from temptation makes
it necessary to have our family more
secluded, and to those accustomed to
a wild. excited life, the transition is
trying. For this reason we endeavor
to make our home as cheerful, pleas
ant and happy as possible. We must
furnish amusement and good reading,
as well as sympathy and employment.
Very few of the inmates can read.
only as they spell out the words, and
we try to devote a part of the time to
study.
Some of our family come to US sick.
Indeed none are we'll. This increases
the cost Of our work. The expense
commences with our first effort. But
we are glad to have it come; we will
care for the body, and also seek to
benefit the poor sin-sick FGee erre Myf1
hope . t9r d9 " We expect them; We shall
not be disappointed by them. We |
know also tho financial cost of fail.
ufe. But it is so in every kind of |
christian effort; large margin is left |
for failures, and yet we feel the work |
pays. for there will be cases which are
not failures. The Samaritan woman /
was not a failure; and we also shall
return bringing our sheaves with US.
Sometimes an inmate becomes disatis-
fed and leaves, and afterward returns,
saying, 81 am satisfied, l would not be
hired to go back. sen
In controlling our family We have /
no legal authority, as is the case in
State institutions. We rely upon
moral influences and their sense of |
honor. Very cross and stubborn all
day. Absolutely refused TO obey.
Thought it best to let it pass for the
present, as she was feeling very angry.
After time, when all was peaceful
and quiet again, took her aside and
talked kindly with her, asked her if,
as l was trying to be mother to the
family they ought not to obey me.
She replied yves" But you do not
always do SOP" 81 know it, but do
try TO do right. only when l get angry.
then don't know what / say" One
II never did do so mean a
thing in my life as did this morning."
What was it?' TOLD the matron I
would not mind her, but would do as
[ pleased"
Thus far we have not failed to
secure obedience at last.
Another great obstacle in our work
for this cause, is the social and legal
advantage enjoyed on one hand. and
the contempt and Injustice suffered on
the other. Legal settlements are
made which have no shadow of right.
and which tend only to promote ovik
by releasing one party from all future
trouble and expense, and booming
the other to unshared burdens, dis
grace and temptations. In befriend-
ing the helpless, we have been told
it was 20 business of ours to look af-
ter the interests of a poor lost girl.
But it is our business, a part of our
work, and we shall stand friend and
guardian, to see that justice is done
so far as 1t can be done. In doing SO,
We feel that We are attacking one of
he strongholds of the enemy.
1t is sad to find how young many of
this class were led astray. In most
cases, before they were old enough to
realize the awful step they were tax
ing. Many have been motherless. and
became easy prey. Said one, with
tears. "Oh, If mother had lived l
should not have been what I am.
When she died she said she wished I
could be buried with her."
Most Of our girls came with very