The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-18
THE FOUNDING ASYLUM.
Lecture BY DR.. Ghisluni Durant.


Last night Steinway Hall was filled by q numer-
and intelligent audience assembled to give prac-
tical expression TO the Divine precept "Love one
another" There is nothing more beautiful IN life
than the thoughtful care OF the strong and fortu-
nate for the weak and miserable. This tenderness
of feeling for the unfortunate Is peculiarly
O Christian virtue, which has at all times
been strongly inculcated by the fathers OF the
Christian faith And In just proportion rs the OBJ
jects Of soiicltude unable to protect or aid
themselves is there merit IN stretching forth the
hand OF CHARITY and relieving the distressed. Child
hood, with its innocent trusting love, appeals with
strange force TO every generous heart, and the
CHILD SORROW
or want must be bad. such wa evidently the 0pin-
ion OF the large audience who listened with unbroken
attention TO tine lecturer as he ably reuted tie argu
mcnts against foundling asyums
me Rev. Father STAIRS was called to the
chair, and introduced DIR. Durant in q few apprO-
prlae words. The lecturer then proceeded to point
creating an asylum for foundlings. In ancient
times the unlimited authority which was allowed to
pose even OF their lie, was opposed to the gentle
ness OF heart which sees in weakness
5n the ,0T ea snond ye e eS 70 a
exposure OF weak and delicate children, ana this
baroarsm, which we rightly punish as crime, was
morals The practice was even allowed by religion,
for mad not Saturn destroyed his chlldrenf But
u
known morality, teaching that all were born with
eluai rights. The new religion deprived the father
OF the right 10 destroy his oiIspring, and insisted
upon the discharge OF
TIE DUTIES or PATERNITY.
The lecturer then alluded TO the noble efforts or
81. Vincent dc Paul IN the cause OF the foundngs,
ana the Yachlul OF the Church over the little
waits and strays OF humanity, and pointed out the
different treatment Of the f0undlngs IN Catholic
anu Protestant countries ana the effects OF the sys
TENS on pubic morality denying that founding III
siitutiOns encouraged immortality. London was rs
immoral as Paris ana wherever great numbers or
men are concentrated we the same vices deve
oped In large cities 1t was impossible TO prevent the
followed on the exposure. Under these clrcum-
stances was 1t not better to make some provision
Tor the founding ana so prevent numberess crimes
The oh, ect OF the founding hospital was twofOd-
to the child and also the mother, and cover her
from the unjust reproaches OF the world. II her
fault became known she was dishonored but II she
had reason TO believe That IL renamed secret sne
was likely to return to the path OF virtue DshonOr
TO woman is condemnation to moral death, and
without the hospital only three courses remain to
the unfortunate girl-shame, death or crime II Is
said by some that the founding hospital would
have the effect OF encouraging
IMPRUDENT MARRIAGES.,
but who will assert that man or woman ever dellb
erately enter into The marriage state with the
thought that they should be compelled to abandon
their childrena on the contrary, their minds are
filed only with visions OF happiness. But the TWO
great and unanswerable arguments In favor OF
founding institutions are the protection they a0rd
to the innocent offspring, and the influence they
exert IN saving numbers OF girls more sinned
against than SHINING, ifoA life OF shame