Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-12-26
THE BETHEL DINNER.

HE DE LAEA DAHNEhe
Gaths.isg Of Nsysboys: o. orRn.,,n 10.
Ing Yesterday -Interesring Exer-
etses, Etc.
Our sensational reporter attended the
Bethel celebration at the Exchange
building yesterday. The Memphis
Bethel was organized in February. 1867.
and has been doing good service ever
since. The present officers Of the insti-
tuition are, President, M. W. Speers;
Vice President, A. A. Barnes; Treasurer,
g. W, JONES' Secretaries, George stahl,
R. J. Black; Librarian, Maurice Guer-
rant; Leader Of Choir and Musical
Director, L. S. Frances; President Of
Board of Directors, NJ. p. Jarnigan.
The sewing school Of the Bethel meets
every Saturday in the Common Council
chamber; this has been established for
the purpose of teaching the orphans
Industrious habits, and furnishing cloth
ing to the poor children of the city. The
officers of the sewing school are, Presi-
dent, Mrs. Harbour; Secretary and Trea-
surer, Miss Jennie RudisilIe. In the
Bethel school, which meets every Sunday
at two and half clock at the Exchange
Building the male teachers are, Messrs.
A. s. McNair, NJ. p. Jarnigan, w. d.
Rudy. j. H. Malone, Peabody. Vosburgh,
Foster, Johnson, Koffard. The lady
teachers are, Mrs. Harbour. Misses An
ME Randolph, Jennie Rudisille, Jennie
McNair, Sallie Slater.
EXERCISES.
Yesterday morning about one hundred
and thirty orphan boys and girls we're in
attendance, all eager for the Christmas
dinner. The girls were quiet, but the
boys were difficult TO control, at least
those who had made their first appear
ance in the school. At twelve o'clock
President Speers struck bell and called
attention." He stated in brief the
objects of the Memphis Bethel. He in
formed the visitors that the attendance
Of children was smaller than usual,
many of the little waits being sick with
measles. He was pleased to see many
new faces, and hoped the boys and girls
who were in attendance for the first
time would come back next Sunday.
Mr.. Speers asked the children to sing
that most interesting hymn, 1--WE are
Coming" which was well sung by the
school children--the waits listening
TO the performance with evident interest.
At the conclusion of he hymn, Mr.. Hill
offered up short prayer. He was fol
lowed by Mr.. A. A. Barnes in a short
speech. The children then sang the
hymn Jesus Loved Me-" Mr.. Barnes
stating that it was the first hymn sung
in the Bethel on its organization. Mr.,
Jaruigan made brief address to the Wis
itors, whom he thanked for attending.
He stated that the Memphis Bethel was
organized ia February, 1867. 1t had
done good service. A lot on the corner
of Adams street and Charleston avenue
had been purchased and paid for, at a
cost of three thousand dollars, which
sum had been made up by the charitable
citizens of Memphis. He read list Of
the subscribers to this fund.-, and added
that more had to be done. The society
was terribly in earnest, and intended to
erect suitable building on the lot. To
do this the charitable citizens of our city
must contribute fifteen thousand dollars,
This would aid and assist in the reclama-
ton of poor children from life
Of crime; would give them a home
aud employment. He desired to
see erected on this lot building
such as would be an ornament to the
city an d credit to our people. The
officers of the Bethel would go to
work INN lediately in order to raise the
necessary amount Of money. Dust here
our reporter thought that, as there are
60, 900 PEG pie in Memphis, if one.fourth
of that raEmber-l5, O00-would sub
scribe one dollar each the BUILDING
would be ereeted).