Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-10-09
REFORM SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
At White Sulphur Springs, Delaware
County, Ohio.

az AAAN ENb1 ~ AAA11N ALNoLAlNlll5L. lit
was not prepared TO find already SC
much choice fruit on so young a tree.
ITS OFFICERS.
The Trustees have been most fortu.
nate in their choice of SUPERINTENDENT
and matron, for Doctor and Mrs,
Nichols seem specially adapted to the
work intrusted to them, having spent
their lives in the business of teaching.
and possessing strong, practical COM
mon sense, uncompromising Chris
tian principle, and an industry which
Knows no tagging. They have a
corps of excellent Christian women
for teachers, who are indefatigable in
their efforts,
HOW DIVIDED.
Al the time of my visit there were
l3S pupils in the school, twelve had
been removed. so that the whole
number connected with it from its
beginning was 150. They are divided
into sections of twenty-five girls, and
each section has its own teacher -
Two OF these sections compose a fani-
ly, and each family has its own dining
room, sitting room aud sleeping
rooms.
The superintendent is having an
other portion OF the old wooden bull
dings on the place altered and fitted
up for the accommodation of an ad-
ditional family of fifty. When this
is filled, as it will be in few months,
there will be 200 pupils in the institu-
tion, and that must be the limit, until
the State shall provide more literally
for this youngest but fairest, of its
children.
SPECIAL NEEDS.
Thegreat and pressing need is more
and better accommodations. The old.
slightly built wooden buildings, which
answered very well for summer use
and for a watering place, are not at all
adapted for the present use. So many
of them as can be made available
have been altered and, as already sta
ted, the result is accommodation for
only 200. Yet this number is but a
fraction of those who need the bene-
fits and blessings Of such a school. 1t
is gratifying to learn that, as the peo-
pie become acquainted with it, and
witness its noble and Christ like
work, applications for admission in
crease. Doubtless the time is near
when accommodations will be needed
for at least 1000 pupils. Indeed, if
all the little girls now kept in our
country poor houses, and simply fed
ald clothed, as so many little ami
mails, could be sent to this school, as
they should be at once, to be educated
and ntted for usefulness, as we'll as
fed and if all the waits from our
cities and villages, who are legal and
proper subjects for this school, could
be ga hered up and sent there for pro-
lection and training, there would soon
be needed accommodations for not
less than 1900. Who, then, can
measure the good possible to such an
institution? Fifteen hundred young
girls saved from a life of ignorance
from life of degradation and many
Of them from a life of vice and crime.
And not only this, but raised up to a
life of usefulness, TO bless society, to
bless the State, to bless the world
Shall not every need of such an insti-
tuition be promptly, freely, generously
met! No money could be more wise
" spent.
ITS LOCALITY.
When we consider that a school of
the character of this needs to be spe-
cially secluded, and guarded against
those influences and aunoyances
which result from close, or even easy
contact with cities and lines of travel,
we think the present location wisely
for the purpose; while the
grounds surrounding the buildings
are all that could be desired. The
is both beautiful and healthy.
These several advantages greatly out
weigh all the disadvantages resulting
rom its seclusion. The only thing
needed to make the school all that !
he most humane, philanthrOpic aud /
patriotic can ask, is suitable buildings. |
HOW TO GET THEM.
Aud am quite sure these would be |
provided Immediately, if the men,
)ers OF our Legislature would visit 4
he school and examine its working
md influence from D o'clock in the /
morning until 8 O'Clock in the eve
llng. One day thus spent would
utfice TO convert the stOutest skeptic
nd economist in that honorable body
nd compell him to vote for whatever
appropriations might be necessary
Say, one day thus spent would salts
y him that true economy requires just
uch an expenditure by the State
Tor every dollar thus spent by the
tate in caring for and educating these
iris for usefulness, at least two dollars
7ill be saved to the counties in the
Drm of pOOr-house, Jail and criminal
axes. Then in addition to this saving
f money, there is the intellectual,
lOral and social gain resulting from
he saving of these girls, an advan-
age to the State, which no amount of
money can measure.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE.
There is a neat and convenient lit
le chapel connected with the school
there every morning at 81 O'Clock, the
uplls and teachers assemble for wOr-
hip, which is conducted by the super
ltendent.
The Sabbath is choice day for the
upils, though very fatiguing one
'r the teachers, superintendent and
latrOn. They have morning prayers
5 ON other days, except they are nalf
n hour later. At IL a. m. al meet
n public worship. and some from
families meet with them.
he services are substantially the
,me as in any of our churches. DR..
ichOls gives the address or sermon,
Mess there is some preacher visiting
le school; if so, he is invited to ,
reach. At 3p. no. all meet again in
lie chapel as a Sabbath school, and
doubt whether you can find a more !
lteIesting Sabbath school anywhere.
he exercises close with brief but
ear and instructive review of both ,
lie previous and present lesson by .
r. Nichols. :
Throughout the day the girls are :
'essed IN their best; and certain ones :
e seen wearing badges, indicating :
at their department has been such :
to entitle them to that special honor. :
At the time of my visit there was !,
unusual degree of religious inter- i
[ in the school, and large number, :
of the older girls, expressed 7
determination TO cOnsecrate them. i
Ives to the Savior, and hoped they !,
Ould leave the school and 20 out :
10 society to work for Christ, end
ert christian influence wherever
cir lot might be cast. q,
PRAY FOR THEM. .
Will not christians remember this II
hOOl, and pray especially for those Il
ung women, who are just beginning G
e new life, but whose age is such f
at the law will permit them to enjoy q
e protection of that institution but k
ew months longer? The past his n
~ of soD,a of tho,,, eI,o,,,s, +, IL -. n