The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-27
"THE BEDoUINs OF THE STREET y

Opening of the Newsboys' Now Home-An
Entertainment by the Children's Aid
Society-Speeches by William A. Booth,
@. l.. Brace, j. f. Williams, DR.. Potter,
w. G. Bryant, DIR. Hitchcock Ind George
w. Curtis.
The twentieth anniversary OF the NewsbOys'
Lodging House was celebrated last evening on the
occasion OF the opening Of the new building just
erected at the corner Of New Chambers and Will
liam streets The programme OF the celebration
was principally carried out in the schOolroom OF
the new structure, very elegant and comfortable
hail, which was filed by large and most respect
able audience OF both sexes and OF all ages, from
eight to eighty The meeting was presided over
by William A. Booth, President OF the Chidrens
Aid Society, under whose auspices the building
has been erected anc the institution is generally
sustained.
After a few Introductory remarks by The Presi-
dent Mr.. Charles l.. Brace, Secretary OF the so.
ciety, read ''brief report" in which he paid
everybody, including himself, several highly sea-
soned compliments, the best deserved OF which,
according to the unanimous vote OF the most cred
ible witnesses, the newsboys themselves were
honestly bestowed on the superintendent and Ma
iron Of the institution, Mr.. and Mrs. O'Connor.
Rev. DR.. Potter said he had come prepared to
talk to the boys, and not to such grown-up au-
dience as that before him. As 1t was they were
all there for 2 common NOR purpose, to say whatever
that thew had no oo doubt abo11t 'I the wis
dom and economy with which the great work
OF the society had been done. There are q
great many people who are doing the same sort OF
work. but It's wisdom may be doubted; but this
was one Of the most timely, as it was the wisest,
enterprise undertaken in the history OF charity IN
the land. He feared that Ill New York we are in
danger OF encouraging pauperism by the very
and the Doctor then reprobated the indiscrimnate
charity from which the system OF the Children's
AID Society wholly differed. He praised the
Newsboys Home because 1t admitted nOne who
had homes OF their own, for the most sacred inst-
tuition on Gods footstool is the home OF the human
family. We must teach boys and men and women
to help themselves, and We must teach them also
that the sacredest place in the world is the home
OF the family. The body of society like the phys
ical body in that there are unhealthy spots 70
which the blood PUSHES. as it, sometimes does, to
mans head and causes apopleXy. The surplus
population OF the country rushes into the great
city and causes apOpleXy there and the only cure
for that is to redlstribute il, as this society Is
homes in the West. The most that the Doctor
knew about charity, he said. he had learned from
ture fame would be taken care OF by the BOYS he
had taken in and done Tor. eachs OF whom would
kindly turn himself into monument OF Mr.. Braces
virtues. The Doctor had great faith IN newsbOys
an anecdOte showing that particular
newsboy was much more honest tnan DR..
Potter's Christian suspicious OF human nature
generally had allowed HIM to believe; but, accord
ing to his own story, the Doctors astonishment at
the boys honesty was as nothing compared with
that newsboy's astonishment at the Doctors
generosity when the poor lad was rewarded and
encouraged to continue liz the narrow path Of
virtue by receiving the munifcent gratuity OF SIX
cents from DR.. Potter's private iunds.
The venerable William Cullen Bryant was ere
minded OF little story Of she poet Rogers, VINO
kept q quantity OF blanks to be sent out declining
invitations to social and other parties. The blanks
began with, ''Pity me, for am obliged to decline
your invitation" On one occasion he sent his
want for blank but the latter returned saving,
"The plty-me's are all gone out" have wished
this evening said Mr.. Bryant) that had a pity
me" to send you l. too, expected to have to talk
to the boys instead OF to you. / had prepared
speech In my mind, and you'll never know now
of coneratulatlng the boys l Will congratulate
you. l congratulate you upon this beautiful
home you have built up for them-ths
handsome club that Is provided Tor them, for 1t Is
a club, and club OF the better Sort one without
clubs. was about TO say to those boys that many
of them may by and by occupy prominent stations
In society, and their duty In that case would
be, II any clubs existed in the community
in want OF help or OF homes TO repay
the generosity they mad experienced and deal
sort. We learn from the treasurer OF this society
that there is debt OF 1000 impending over this
branch OF the institution. commend to you the
care OF that debt.
Mr.. Bryant was followed by the Rev. DR., Hitch
COCK, PRESIDENT or the Union theological! semi
nary, and Mr.. George W. Curtis both OF whom
spoke briefly, wittily and pathetcally. "Mahom-
etanlsm," said DR.. Hitchcock, mas shamed
Christianity. IL has reached the Bedouns OF the
desert. Cannot Christianity reach the Bedouins OF
the street 2''
After the speeches and the music the audience
rose and proceeded q tour OF inspection through
the building warmly applaudng everything; in
deed, they could not wen do other