The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-21
LITTLE WANDERERS.

Interesting
Election OF Officers.
The annual meeting Of the Society OF Howard
Mission aud home for Little Wanderers, 40 New
Bowery, was held yesterday afternoon In the chapel
Of the institution, for the transaction or general
business, but more particularly to eject nine trus-
| tees Tor the ensuing year. the accounts given by
the superintendent, Mr. Van Meter, Of the amount
| OF work done during the past twelve months speak
well for the usefulness OF the society, which
has come to be recognized as one OF the most
valuable charities in Inc city. The subscriptions
have never been SO large they have been this
year. the contributions Moving In in a continuous
and steady stream, From all parts OF the country
succor has come; but In proportion to the increase
OF funds there has been increase or work. as the
demands upon the MISSION are dali becoming more
numerous. None OF those who seem deserving are
denied the benefits or the society," and the district
In which 1t Is situated
IS DENSELY POPULATED
with the very poorest people In the city, It re-
qulres the most earnest and continuous labor to
minister to their ever increasing wants. When the
idea of Q mission In the district was first mooted,
some ten or fifteen years ago, no one imagined 1t
would ever be q success; but perseverance and
pluck have achieved wonders, SO that the treasurer
recKons the annual income by
GOOD Many THOUSAND DOLLARS,
and tue children educated, clothed and fed some
thing like twelve hundred. Difficulties ana obsta.
cies OF every kind had to be overcome before this
prosperity could DC reached, and too much praise
cannot De given to MI. Van Meler, who has been
the cniel worker ia the scheme since 1t was first
Many OF the protegts Of the Mission who were
preserved IN their early days from shame and dis.
ana ae uSv fs ays see esen 70
up to me chapel door and lady alighsins from 1t,
entered the Lcuse, VINO proved to be che OF three
SISTERS VINO were urSt educated and afterwards
PROVIDED WITH HOMES,
and who are now happily married to wealthy and
honored husbands. Another is
NOW THE POPULAR PASTOR
Of one Of the most noursning churcnes in the city
successful and they all ascrioe their prosperity TO
striking incident occurred lew DAYS since, related
by air. van Meier 10 those who were present yestcr
ns ERR small ce ana nse
1atner helpless drunKard. had been laborng for
some Years 70 maintain the little ones IN decency
| AMI Independence and 80 long as her health was
good she was enabled to DO so In compare
i've comfort; bur some time since ILLNESS
seized her aud she could longer keep starvation
| from her home. In her despair she applied to MIR.
Van Meter, stating that there was nothing ief. but
! the P0orhOuSe the street or The Howard Mission.
| Touched by her story, he took the children or
| hands, aud the same day Brooklyn clergyman,
who visited the school, was struck with the looks
OF the ntlc girl, her sister, ana had family
he took her home VITA the consent or his wife. aud
adopted her. Another has since been provided for,
and one little boy remains, for whom provision viii
shortly be made. Toe Snperintendens states that
instances ike this are not isolated ones; similar
are occurring almost every day.
The election OF the trustees was BY ballot and the
VOTE WAS VERY UNANIMOUS
the old ticket being elected, with or two excep.
lions, among them Mr.. Calender, the late Bauk
Examiner whose name mas been stricken from the
list OF trustees. Those who have been elected are
active and earnest workers LII the cause 1t being
pokt with tie members TO choose none but those
who have made themselves conspicuous Tor their
zeal In behalf or the MISSION They are not chosen
from any particular Church, as the society
Is STRICTLY EVANGELICAL,
all Churcnes taking part In the management OF
The affairs. AT tie close OF the election the follow
Hatch, u illlam Phelps, Watson SandorL, J. How
nell.
TIE work proposed to De done the ensuing year
VIII be on an increased scale, provided ne very
i CONTRIBUTORS Wnicn nave cnaracterzed
The work done CONSISTS In feeding, clothing and
educating the poorer children or the district taking
charge OF Infants while tner mothers are at work,
and attending 10 the wants OF the SICK Inhabitants.
As stated seiore the demands are constantly in
creasing; but as yet there has been no curtalmeut
Ia supplying them. nor Will there be, says mir
Van .e1cr, II tue pubic viii only continue MAIN
tain the large.hearted generosity which mas hitherto
been molly manifested. The expcn SIS or the
building and The salaries OF the officials necessarily
REQUIRE CONSIDERABLE MONEY,
and as the society Is wholly maintained by vouu-
tary subscriptions. having no city or STATE aid, the
justice Of tue appeal OF The trustees 10 tue public
Wiz be perceived. IL Is our ann not TO let the
expenses exceed the income, this Is one OF the
causes which nave coaduced TO make the mission
81 Successful. The preparations that are being
made for the forthcoming festival on Christmas
years. ana II tie result be at all adequate 10 the
labor the children VIII have rare treat. Presents
OF every KIND
ARE POURING IN DAILY
and abundance Oh everything necessary TO make the
day success Will not be wanting. The Messrs.
Appleton, tne Harpers ScrDncr d Co., Sheldon &c
Co., Putnam IL Son and Others OF the leading book
sellers have made large contributions OF books,
anG when toe children nave all received presents
enough VIII be lett TO make very large additions to
tile library. MI. Foulds, OF No. 80 Jonn
toys TO decorate the Christmas trees;
another irm has sem 900 cornucopias The oyster
men have offered abundance OF oysters for the din
neri aad Other nrins have been equally liberal IN
their gifts. large quantity OF clJlhe5 IS also pro-
vded TO give away 10 the Children and their pa.
rents, and oling VIII be lett undone to make the
Iestlye season indeed u time 0f increment. Tie
chapel IS 10 be decorated with evergreens, and In
the centre are 10 he placed the Christmas trees,
which WILL. o. course, be the chef ornament, The
proceedings VIII commence vita concert BY the
children (and the singing IN this place Is really
something wonderfully, after which the great fea-
tares OF tue Cay--'De feasting and distribution OF
the presenis-wllI be gone through. MIR. Van Meter