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


Last night Steinway Hall was filled by numer-
GUS and intelligent audience assembled give prac-
tcal expression TO the Divine precept, "Love one
another.u 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 soicltude are 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 man
CHILD SORROW
or want must be bad. bnch was evidently the 0pIn-
ion OF the large audience who listened with unbrOken
attention 10 1.-THE lecturer as he ably reuted tile argu
mcnts against ioundling asylums.
me Rev. Father STAIRS was called to the
CHAIR and introduced DIR. Durant in few appro-
pria'e words The lecturer then proceeded to point
creating on asylum Tor foandIings. In ancient
times the unlimited authority which was allowed to
father over his children. and allowed him to dis
ness or heart which Sees in weakness
. claim for protection; The desire that
exposure OF weak and delicate children, and this
barbarism, which we rightly punish as crime. was
IN ancient Lines IN keeping with the state Of public
for mad not Saturn destroyed his childrenf But
with faith III Christ came new ana hitherto I'M
known morality teaching that all were born with
equal rights The new religion deprived tine father
OF the right To destroy his oilspring and insisted
upon the discharge Of
TIE DUTIES or PATERNITY.
The lecturer then alluded to the noble efforts OF
st. Vincent dc Paul IN the cause OF the foupdings
anu the Yatchlul care OF the Church over the little
waits and strays OF humanity, and pointed out the
different treatment OF the fOundllngs in Catholic
ana Protestant countries and the effects Of the sys
TENS on pubic morality denying that founding In
stitutlOns encouraged immortality. London was as
immoral as Paris, ana wherever great numbers or
men are concentrated we see the same vices deveL
Oped In large cities 1t was impossible TO prevent the
abandonment OF children, and often death
followed on the exposure. Under these clrcum-
for the founding ana prevent numberless
The Obse ct OF the founding hospital was twofOld-
to save the child and also the mother, and cover her
from the unjust reproaches OF the world. II her
fault became known She was diShonored. put II She
had reason to believe That 1t renamed secret she
likely to return to the path OF virtue. Dishon0r
to woman Is condemnation to moral death, and
without the hospital only three courses remain to
the unfortunate girl-shame, death or crime. 1t 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 delib-
erately enter into the marriage state with the
thought that they should be compelled to abandon
their children? On the contrary, their minds are
filled only with visions OF happiness But the Two
great and unanswerabe arguments In favor Of
founding institutions are the protection they AFFORD
to the innocent offspring, and the influence they
exert IN saving numbers OF girls, more sinned
against than SHINING, from life OF shame.