Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-05-08

The annual report of the Summer street in
dustrial school, by Mrs. Souther, the superin-
tendcnt, was read by Mr.. Cheever on Saturday,
the 6th at the closing session of the term as fol-
lows:-
'The Mission Chapel industrial school has gather
ed 200 children during the winter to share in its
teachings and gifts. There have been twenty-six
sessions of the school; S05 garments have been cut
from $40 yards of cotton cloth, and twenty teach
ers,-twelye of whom have been constant in storm
well as in sunshine. have ministered to this little
flock, preparing their work, and teaching their fin
gers how to use the needle for themselves.
The children come from different localities in the
city, from highway and byway, and are the repre-
sentatives Of every nation embraced in our
growing American population. :. We are
sorry to record the fact that it has been
difficult to find teachers enough to supply the
twenty classes formed at the commencement of tho
school; the u1wearied twelve who have followed
their master in their earnest efforts to hfeed his
lambs" will not miss his blessing
The skill acquired by many in one single depart
ment of industry may encourage these faithful
teachers, but when there Is added to this accom-
plishment the refining influences arising from their
weekly intercourse with them, the purifying and
elevating character of Bible truths, continually
taught them, they may believe that their devotion
and selR-sacrifce has been holy Offering and will
be accepted by the great teacher whose law of love
is "Inasmuch as We did it unto the least of these,
my brethren, We did it unto me-"
The children have become familiar with the COM
mandments and with many verses of the Sermon
on the Mount" Did the great law of love ever
peak with clearer power TO the soul of man? Its
brief maxims contain volumes of meaning, attract
ing the long study of the greatest minds, and yet
80 simple that a child can understand them-full of
wider and broader field than the laws of man; it
comprehends the whole human race beneath its
sway, and there is not one who can mistake
its clear directions, or can withdraw from
its gaze or its power. In every bosom it recog-
uizes friend pleading for its vindicatlon, and he
who rebels against it rises up against his own soul
Its obligations binding in old age as in youth,
being co-existent with the Deity its constant man
date to do right is the yesterday, to-day, and
forever. The human law is but an echo and shadow
of the divine and we should look away often to the
great archetype In that eternal law of which it has
been so beautifully said "Her seat is the bosom of
God her voice the harmony of the world; all
things in heaven and earth do her homage, the Ue7y
least feeling her care, and the greatest not ex-
empt from her power, though each in different
form and manner, yet all with uniform consent adj
hiring her as the mother of their peace and joy."
The mission industrial school has been made
permanent Institution in our city by generous ap-
preparation for its Import from its earliest friend
and patron, Dea. Washburn. 1t asks no earthly
treasure; it only claims the love to which the Cos
pei calls every one, the will to work, when Jesus
lives and acts within us, in the energy of devoted
Christian life."
After reading the above Mr.. Cheever said that in
congratulating the teachers upon the completion CT
another term of their gratuifOus sefdenying SER
method and motive of their benevolent work. AS
qgiSfiy carried along week after week, it was not
thSSdbject of newspaper paragraphs, or applausive
reviews and exhibitions. Nor was it talked about
commendingly in the circles of society But, all
unobserved it went on disinteresedly for the good
it was modestlY doing. And who could doubt, he
added, that in this view the report just read had
intimated, the work was holy Offering accepted of
the great master. All their reward was in the good
DONE not in the recognition of it by men, for in the
last term especially, there had been little nothing
of outside sympathy and appreciation. While Dea;;
Washburn lived they had his frequent presence and
cheering approval, and it was without doubt help
and stimulus. But when they missed that let them
remember the master approves, and that was
enough. 1t was theirs still to act like Milton in
his noble youth:
GAS ever in the great Taskmaster's eye,"
And like the VirtuouS Lady celebrated in one of his
sonnets,
''Wisely she shuns the Broadway andt he Green,
And with those few is eminently seen,
That labor up the hill of holy truth"
He trusted the consciousness of the good those
teachers were doing would continue to be their pre-
clous record, and would lead them to procure the
needed cooperation of others in their labor of love-
The usual distribution of oranges followed during
which Rev. Mr.. Hall of the Unitarian church, ap.
peared to manifest his sympathy, as he has before
during the season, several of the most efficient
teachers being from his church.