The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-09-06
4 GOOD WORK PRosPERLNG.
Fourth Annual Rel port OF the Home and
School of the Church of the Holy Com
munfOn,
CHARLESTON, August l. 1871.

Messrs. ". C. Bee, John Hanckel, and c. Fl.
Huger:
GESrLEMEN-Permit me, through you, to
make this, my fourth annual report of the
Home aud Parochial School of the Church of
the Holy Communion. The fourth term ended
on the Slst of July. We have had many tokens
of the Divine favor, for which we are grateful
to Him to whom alone belongs the praise tor
every good and perfect gift. In the wise prov
idence of God our hitherto unbroken ranks
have been visited by the common enemy Of
man. In one short week two of our little
community were stricken by the hand OF
death. John William Cornish, the Oldest son OF
the Rev. J. a. Cornish, was taken with con-
gestive chill, and died after few days sick
ness. He was fine, manly boy, full OF promise
and of comfort to his father and his
sisters, and o communicant of the church.
He was in his nineteenth year, and oy
his consistent and gentle walk had won
the confidence and esteem of his pastor,
teachers and schoolmates. The ways OF God
are inscrutable, but we know his friends have
learned that the Holy Father doeth all things
well. James McElhenny would have been six
teen years old on the 10th of September. He
died at his fathers, in Wadmalaw Island, where
he had gone only few days before. He came
to the Home little fellow, when only twelve
years old. OF course, these two events served
to cast shadow over our closing days. l
trust the lesson they conveyed may not pass
away. cannot better convey to parents and
friends an idea OF the spirit which prevails In
this institution and the principles upon which
1t is conducted, than by Incorporating some
portions of the last monthly report made to me
as rector, by the efficient Christian gentleman
who am fortunate as having as the principal.
He SAYS:
In this my last report for the session OF 1870
II, 1t Is proper for me to express my c9nvlc
tions in regard to the work done at the Home
during the past year, and to indicate some
what Of Its general character.
It gives me pleasure to state that, though 1t
has been to me year of hard work, OF inces-
SAINT occupation of mind, If not OF body, and
of great anxiety for the welfare Of those un-
der my charge->one. too, saddened at It's close
by an eminently affective dlspensation of Di.
locking back upon 1t as afperiod OF my Lille
not uselessly, but, as I honestly believe, use
fully spent In an earnest endeavor to train, IN
the paths of knowledge, sanctifed by Divine
truth, those committed to my care.
While fully aware of the fact that my labors
are more especially of that order which tend
to the Improvement of these youths In things
pertaining to this HE and yours, to fitting
them for that other and better life that shall
be hereafter, Icould not be unmindful of this
that Indifference or coldness on my part, IN
reference to these higher things, would serve
to Increase, if not to paralyze your labors. II,
therefore, In my eagerness to aid you, and 10
lead these young minds Alright, | have some
times trespassed on your ground, know you
will not condemn me where my Intentions
were so good.
Believing that children are more seriously
inclined on Sunday evenings-for then 1t Is
thet thoughts Of home, its dear ones, rise most
distinctly to the mind-I have, on each recur-
ring Sunday evening, sought 10 cnlme III Win
these natural feelings thoughts OF higher and
holIer things. have striven to elevate the
tone OF their minds and hearts, to cultivate in
them love for home and Its dear ones, and
to urge them to discountenance, and by their
influence suppress. everything that was mean,
low or profdne. I have endeavored to live
among them In such manner as that my exam
pie might give welghtto my counsel
Ihave frequently entered Into their sports,
or gathered them around me In conversation,
and have made it my duty to be constantly
at home. Thus ever among them, and permit
ting the freest access to myself on all occa'
sions, find myself their umpire and arbiter
continually. Every point IN dispute among
them, whether 1t be In game or Otherwise, Is
submitted to me for judgment, and my deel-
sion is regarded as final.
Living thus among them. and watching
them not with suspicious, bus with the anx-
ious, eyes of one who desires their truest
good, I can speak, perhaps, more posltiVely
of the tone OF character that pervades the
school than any other man. say, then, tnat
as school-boy, college student, or teacher, l
have been connected with no lnstltutlon IN
which improper, indecent or profane language
and scrbbing were so completely suppressed
as they are at this Home. An air OF cont-
dence seems to reign here, and deception Is al
most unknown. If attempted, as 1t sometimes
will be by the timld or misguided, the force
OF sentiment in this our little public, frequent
ly compel q private confession. For reli-
gious conversation and instruction l have
found them ready and attentive listeners, and
in all that constitutes polite and gentlemanly
bearing, will compare my older boys with
any have seen.
AS far as their studies are concerned, We
have, think, reason TO be satisfied. have
before stated to you that the indications Of
real study have been very decided, and my
own personal observation assures me that
much more time is devoted to the preparation
of lessons than hitherto. The stimulus OF a
certificate at the close OF week, medal at
Easter, or prize to take home for the summer
holidays, has excited much slumoerlng amol-
tioE.
For my assistants, one and all, con speak
warmly and proudly. They have entered
heartily into the spirit of the work before us.
Their cheerfulness, friendly intercourse with
each other, their conscientious discharge OF
duty, together with their Unvarying manies-
tation of respect and Difference TO the princi-
pal, have been influences powerful in their
good effects upon the young minds so con-
stantly watching us. They have my sincere
thanks and the kindest wishes for their welfare.
To you, sir, who, through the last four years,
have labored with the most disinterested and
untiring energy to establish this excellent
work, my warmest thanks are returned for the
promptness with which you have met all the
financial engagements OF the school-ior the
constant and ready support given me 10 the
management Of my important charge-ior tne
confidence reposed in me at all times, aud tOr
your spirited counsel to myself and pupils
With an earnest prayer that God may strength
en- you for your work. and give you, in rich
abundance, His all-suff1cient grace to carry you
through trials and labor to that bright triumph
that awaits you'll am, sir, yours most sincerely,
JOHN GADsDEN.
Principal of Parochial School.
Charleston, July 81 1871.
This was not intended for publication, but |
feel that it will be source OF comfort to those
who have their children aWay from the pa