Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-10-12
To the Charitable and Christian Pub.
Ito.


The Island Institute finds itself over
whelmingly burdened with its charitable
educational and Christian work. In its
immediate community there are eight
thousand cOlOred persons inadequately
provided with schools, churches, and
other civilizing and restraining inhuen-
ces, and but a small proportion attending
Sunday Schools. The law of the land
declares this people free, but the soul
blight Of slavery can be removed only
by education, moral and religious cul-
ture. The essential characteristics of a
truly free peOple-viZ: honesty, frugali-
ty, energy, and industry-are sure to
follow such civiliZing and outstanding
influences. Patience and perseverance
alone will effect a perfect work. The in
stitute seeks to supply the masses with
these influences, using the beverages that
have raised the Anclo-SaXon race up to
be a great people. It has existed since
July %, 1869; is organized under a con-
stitution, and is incorporated by general
act Of Congress. 1t is purely mission,
embracing Industrial, Evening, aud
Sunday Schools; Library, Reading and
Social Meeting Rooms; Lectures on Fa-
miliar Subjects and Concerts. It is not
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS patrons and teachers
representing all evangelical denOmina-
tons. Hitherto its work has been una
vOidably very imperfectly done in a
hired hall at very high rent Despite
such disadvantages b Sunday School
has numbered over one thousand schol-
ars. 1t has become imperatively neces-
sary that the Institute should hRYe a
building for its own exclusive use
With such facilities, and efficiency, its
Evening School would number not less
than FIVE hundred scholars. Dram-shops
- --E.=-- #hA-~-~.1a f. nW.n--a-0-nn
is fearfully IN the increase; and all the
other schools of the devil are h~ourishing,
sweeping multitudes Of all ages into
eternal destruction. The demonstration
is practical, that true and manly free
dom and ignorance are incompatible.
The Institute offers the opportunity to
the philanthropic to avert this terrible
calamity by ample educational accom-
modatiOns. Coguizant also Of the eleva-
ting power Of properly rendered music,
especially so with this race, it asks you
to accept this privilege to put them I'M
der the leadership Of efficient teachers.
This God-given leaven will permeate the
whole mass, at home, in their tolls, trials,
holidays, every day aRd everywhere,
slevating and refining. viii not the
kind-hearted public do this through the
Institute?
COlored young persons have very lin
tied opportunities Of becoming skilled
artisans. viii you aid in their elevation
above menials2
The adults, owing 10 the want Of prop
er training, cannot yet meet the demands
Of the children in Sunday Schools as
teachers. Who would not assist in
meeting this sOul-endangering deicien-
cy? A tract, a book, a paper, or a dime
might be the means OF saving many
souls.
The magnitude Of our immediate field,
the accessibility OF the entire cOlored
population Of the city, (30,00O,) the COM
manding influence Of an efficient school,
a~rousing and energiZing people Of color
in Maryland. Virginia, and even through
out the South, forces the Institute to de-
wise largely. 1t therefore has determin-
ed on a plain, substantial, capaciOus
building, 20 by 40 feet, with Library,
Reading and Evening School rooms in
and under the galleries. Its real estate
has been secured; the cost Of which. in
Guiding building, furniture, apparatus,
and library, will be $4,000. The Insti-
tute has faith in the Sunday Schools,
Churches, and the charitable throughout
the country, that they will gladly furnish
the required amount, There is no time
to lose. The Gospel code costs less than
three-tenths Of the criminal code; the
true citizen is worth immensely more
than the criminal, and Il tViU gIOrJy Cod
Remember that many persons are not
criminals, simply because, when q eel in
the right way, their surroundings have
kept them going ahead, and temptations
were constantly neutraliZed.
That there may be uniformity and
concert of action, the Institute nominRtes
the fifth Sunday, 3Oth of October, 1870,
as a day for collections for this object.
Washington belongs TO everybody by
a national pride, has kin in quite every
hamlet hence everybody expects grand,
capital movements for education, morals,
and religion, that plague spots shall be
removed, ard genuine m~agnifcence exist
everywhere. Who will discharge their
personal responsibility, as well as crafty
a national pride, by the contribution Of
penny, a dime, a dollar, a book, cast-Of
clothing, material that costs money, even
building material, to this end? It should
be remembered that the Freedmen's
Bureau is closing up and leaving the
immense work it has done to the charit-
able public.
What Of the glorious pride in that city
not made with hands, to which all these
offerings conduce, and should they be
withheld, what Of the vacant places
there? A universal contribution Of mites
viii amply provide.
The Institute is confident that Minis
tiers, Superintendents, and Sunday
School Teachers will take a personal
interest in the collection OF the 30th Of
October, 1870.
Funds should he forwarded to w. s.
HUNTINGDON, Esq, Cashier First Ma
tional Bank Treasurer.
Address W.P. FREEMAN, Esq, Second
Comptroller's Ofice,) Secretary, respect
ing material. I
BY ORDER OF THE INSTITUTE.
September l, 1870.
l hope the necessary funds may be
raised for this great work, and that these
brethren who have worked so very hard
may be encouraged by all those who
love our blessed Lord.
o. o. HOWARD,
Brig. Gen. U. S A..
President Y. NJ. c. A.
Sept. 9Th, 1870, Washington, D. @.