The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-06-09

1
Sellers and Lomax, two OF the Board Of
Trustees, and others, protesting against the
proposed action, while Elders webb and
others were equally as earnest for the adop
ton OF the report Prot. Thos. S. Gathright
PRESIDENT OF the Board of Trustees and this
writer, also member, being present during
the discussion were cordially invited to
participate which we did. informed the
Convention that my wish was that before
the action proposed should be made final
the Home should be rendered to the foster
ing care Of the Masonic fraternity of the
State. by an overture to the Grand Lodge
that If this were not practicable in view OF
the time required to consummate the trans
fer, then it were better TO adopt the report
and make The Home straight-out Baptist
School, inviting, as heretofore, the cooper
alton of all who sympathiZed with the
orphan and who understood the peculiar
causes which brought the Home into exis-
tence. This was substantially the view
urged by Prof. Gathright, except that he
felt impressed with the conviction that the
Grand Lodge would be unwilling to should
er such burden. His experience as Grand
Master, and his tour through the State last
4
this conclusion. The discussion continued
until an hour after the regular time for adj
ljournment when the Chairman of the Com
mittee arose and asked that the Report be
recommitted that it might be so amended as
to tender the Home to the Grand Lodge,
and report Monday morning. This motion
| was modified to re-commit without instruc-
tions, but think the committee will report
for the tender, and that the Convention, by
decided vote, will adopt the report. / am
quite satisfied at least that there is a strong
element in the Convention, and in the de-
nomination throughout the State, not only
willing, but anxious to transfer the Home
to some responsible organization, and that
it ID not their wish to assume the entire con-
troll and be sponsible for its entire support.
The various missionary and educational
enterprises of the Church, and the never
ceasing demands for the support of the sa me,
seem to be quite sufficient to engage the
attention of the denomination, progressive
and aggressive as it is. But whether the
Baptists win be forced TO take entire charge
! OF the institution or not, l feel quite sure
that so long at least as the benefciaries of
! the Home are the orphans of Confederate
soldiers of Masons and Odd Fellows, they will
not be neglected by grateful and generous
| people.
| The Report of the BoarGof Trustees. with
detailed statement of the receipts and ex
penses of the House for the past year, to-
| gether with catalogue OF the orphans, will
soon be published at the Orphans Banner
office, and as copies may be obtained by adj
dressing Prof. S. 5. Cranberry, Superinten-
| dent will not ask for the space in this
| letter to comment upon the leading points
of the report. The Home is now established
at its new site; q large orchard and vineyard
have been planted, and cotton, corn, garden
vegetables, &c. are being cultivated on the
farm by the labor of the orphans.
Among other acts of the Board was the
adoption of regulations by which children
at the Home, under eight years of age, may
be adopted by responsible parties so desiring.
Application to be made in writing, to the
Superintendent, or to any of the Trustees.
MASS MEETING
Was held at night, in behalf of the Home,
and the church was literally packed. Rev.
Lewis Ball opened the Ball in an impress
sive address, and was followed by speaker
of less Potoer. Prof Gathright followed,
and his touching, fervid address extracted
both smiles and tears from his vast audience.
At the close of his eloquent speech, he ex-
hibited the Memory-StrinS which little Jen-
ni9 Monkey, of Louisville, KY, gave to Mrs.
Reed for the benefit of the Home, and which
realized more than seven thousand dollars.
This Memory-String was the most precious
thing that Jennie possessed. Every button
was the gift of and named for dear friend.
She gave it to Mrs. Reed, who told the story
to friend. This friend gave five dollars
for the String, who sold it again; and thus
it has passed from one to another, securing
more sympathy and bread for the Orphans
than all the speeches that have been made
by any other agent in their behalf While
Prof. Gathright was holding it up before the
audience, gentleman arose in his seat and
said he would give dollar for the privilege
of taking the String in his hand. Others
followed the e1 ample, as it was passed rap
idly from one to another, and in few min
utes it was announced that about twenty
one hundred dollars had been contributed in
cash and pledges to the Home. Truly, q
good nights work.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL EXERCISES,
On Sabbath morning, were very interesting.
Addresses were made by Rev. Mr.. Philips,
the "gentlemen from Africa" who was in
jackson about two months since and by Mr..
Walne, of Vicksburg. There viii be mass
meeting tonight in behalf of Foreign Mis-
sions, when Mr.. Philips viii more fully re-
late his missionary experience.
Elder Graves preached this morning, his
subject being Christian Decision and Con.
sistency. Standing room in the church was
at a premium. Elder Hackett preached in
the afternoon, and the house was filed to its
capacity.
But must close my notes on the Conven-
ton. 1t will doubtless adjourn tomorrow
night. Crystal Springs was selected as the
next place of meeting, and Thursday be-
fore the first Sabbath in June, 1871, as the
time.
WEST POINT.
Although the mail is about to close. l
must add few words, about this growing
town and its hOspitable people. West Psint
is ninery-eight miles north Of Meridian, and
is one of the largest and most fiourishing
towns on the Mobile Road. 1t has popu-
Iation of about three thousand, about fifty
stores, and churches and schools to bear wit
ness to the good morals and, intelligence of
her people. Many new buildings, dwellings
and storehouses, are being erected; and ELI
gible town lots are quoted at decidedly me-
tropolitan figures. West Point wants to be,
and doubtless should be the official centre
of new county, and I am informed that
bill is before the Legislature for that pur-
pose.
u, of;fiaa 1euiOY-