The Portland daily press., 1873-10-23

Eetuate Orphdh hsytuAns
The annual meeting of this society was held
on Tuesday afternoon at the asylum building,
State street. The meeting was opened with
prayer v the Rev. Mr.. Buck after which the
children sang.
The business meeting was then held and the
reports were presented.
The following is the report of the President,
Mrs. j. T. McCobb:
By the generous donations of few individu-
ais added to the small accumulatiOns of MANY
years. we have now large and good house, suf-
ficient for all the orphan and destitute children
who apply and are found proper subjects for
admission. We have been singularly fortunate
in purchasing building entirely meeting out
wants, in most desirable location. at a price
within our cash means. Wholly free from debt
we have only the immediate care and the best
good of our institution to attend to- Upon the
yearly subscriptions of our friends. we must
still depend. Vigorous efforts should be made to
increase the number of inmates only however
SO tar as may be to find new homes for the new
homeless. Indeed, our institution is an asylum.
and not a home-an artificial sub sttute for a
natural provlsion-a temporary and not a per-
manent abiding place.
The second article of our constitution declares
the object of this asylum shall be to provide
means for the support, instruction and employ
ment of female children the first attention to
be paid to orphans.
To secure this Support. instruction and en-
ployment,' we seek 10 find homes for our chill
dren, in good, respectable families. By far the
larger part are adopted as own children.
1t is to be observed, that while our constitu-
ton provides that our first attention be paid to
orphans, it not only does not preclude, but de-
mands the admission OF any children, for any
cause, destitute or requiring our care; SO they
may be received for temporary relief as well as
more permanent support We much prefer hav-
ing the control and disposition of our children
for their minority, but we do take them tempo
rarily, under certain rules of our own, and our
doors are never closed to destitute children
needing homes. Orphans, of course, must al
ways have the preference. We wish to make
the means a generous public has placed at our
disposal, as widely and diffusively useful as
may be.
The many changes in the Office of matron;
the sicknesses of thee hildren; the necessity for
the strictest economy, and determination to
be thoroughly acquainted with every step of the
unusual labor and care. We have the satisfac-
ton OF believing our asylum was never in bet
ter condition than at present.
Miss Sibley, the matron at the beginning of
the year, left us suddenly in Dece mber to take
charge of the orphans home in Bangor. Our
necessities obliged us to fill her place as soon as
possible, and Mrs. Roberts of Auburn, came d.
rectly after Christmas, with her daughter, IA
years of age.
The severe illness of Mrs. Roberts daughter;
latina among the children, of very light form,
it is true, yet requiring constant attention, and
other difficulties, made the matron's work for
few weeks very laborous and wearing. She
left US in July.
Previously, Mrs Dresser had. been engaged
as assistant matron and teacher, . place she
filled with marked advantage to the children
and with much satisfaction to the managers
On Mrs. Roberts leaving, Mrs. Dresser was
chosen matron and her sister, Mrs. Davis
fillad tho p1aoa aril asaic Mrs
Spaulding has since been elected and now re-
mains assistant matron and teacher
We have placed out during the year fifteen
children. This, as you perceive, has much
lessened our numbers; making it necessary,
as has been suggested, to search out none dill
gently those needing help.
Most of the children have been adopted; ac-
counts thus far are satisfactory, more having
been returned to us.
We listen with but little favor, after several
years, to complaints which we sometimes re-
ceive from persons who have taken our children
and to whom they have been legally transfer
red. If IN this length of time, their love and
patience fail to make the children obedient
and pleasing, we can only regret this condition
of things which is as Notifying and painful to
US rs sad for them. Even after such lapse of
time, however, if we find our apprenticed
children do not receive the care and attention
first promised, we do not hesitate to take such
steps, as in the judgment of the Board their
good requires.
1t is matter of regret that we cannot keep
longer watch over those, who from time to
time, go out from us. So far as we have been
abs to follow them, it is source of great
thankfulness, that we so often find them
respectfully and happily situated There is no
love like that of good mother for her child,
but when death, or worse than death, a vicious
life deprives child of this refuge, we gladly
extend the helping hand and use our best
efforts to provide friends and home. In some
cases, the substitute is far better than the orgi
nal home
For the kind and gratuitous services of ply
sicans and for the many favors shown us by
other friends, we return our sincere thanks, To
the Portland Water Company for the inesti-
mable s-Sebago;' to tire publishers of the
christian Mirror" for their valuable paper; to
our old friend on Central wharf for our whole
supply of salt fish, loDg-and generously fur
nisned; to the grocers and traders who make
liberal discounts ON bills; to one especially who
has, throagh his friends provided US with fresh
vegetables all summer; and for the ever well
come gift of ice during the hot weather. which
has been sent us year after year, we are not
ungrateful.
The beautiful christmas tree last year, so
laden with treasures mot single child forgot
ten) given by lady who has, by her kindness
for years. shown her interest in the Asylum;
for other presents sent at the same time, for
the same purpose, to make glad christmas,
We tender our thanks. The ride given us by
the Superintendent of the horse railroad and
Une ouer, (WHICH circumstances prevented our
accepting) of an excursion to the islands by
the Captain of the Gazelle, only remind us of
the constant favors shown u.s.
Above ALL let onr fervent gratitude be offer
ed to Him who has constantly protected us by
His loving care; to Him who has made this onr
service, most blessed by His gracious assur-
ance, 'sWhos shall receive one such little child
in my name, receiveth Me-
In behalf of the Managers of the Female
Orphan Asylum,
SARAH S. S. McCoBB.
October Dist, 1873.
Subjoined is the report of The Treasurer:
Female Orphan Asylum in account with Mary E.
Barrett Treasurer, from Sept. 80, 1872 to Sept 80
1873: DR..
| To cash paid for house ex-