Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-10-21

10 NE t0ipofdfgrs and Friends Qf me H0nlc'
Another year has passed and we come 10 pre-
sent our report TO yon
II may hot be improbable 10 give a pass
ing glance at what has been accomplished in
the nine years since the organization Of the
Home It went into operation with seven chill
dron The number now averages fifty Seventy
one names were upon our list last year. The
corporation then rented a small house II now
owns q bricl, building and ten acres Of land
This building, which NJ the time Of its purchase
was considered large, has become entirely too
small 10 accommodate the increasing family, and
an addition Of 70x45 feet has been begun Plans
Tor this addition were mstured in July and ground
broken the fnt day Of August This enlarge
ment has been a source Of great solicitude to the
Board. 1t was felt to be a necessity. This Home
was the only Protestant one in the state, aud Il
proposed 10 provide for the destitute children Of
the state None under two years Of age were ad-
mitted, and still il was unable 10 meet the de
mands upon H. The claims Of the little ones
the iniants-oi whom large number had sought
admission during The yeaf-oould not be longer
ignored The disadvantages under which the
work was carried on was great Too much
praise can hardly be given 10 the matron and
other Christian ladies who have worked 80 faith
fully and scli-denyingly in the face Of so many
diHculties
These considerations, with others, compelled the
board % take some decided action in the matter
and The addition was determined upon. Some
gentlemen Of well-hnnwn Hberalitv had nrouiised
assistance and subscriptions are now being soli-
cited in all parts Of the state John r. Howard,
~ Ntts fsfft 90.
Home IL friends will remember, has kindly
promised to defray tenth Of the expense Of the
building We trust that before winter the walls
at least will be mp covered, and paid .for
We have great cause for thankfuness in the
general good health which has prevailed among
the children. there having been no serious case
Of illness during the year. This has seemed the
more remarkable, as scarlet fever was very preya-
lent last winter In burlington, and more or less
throughout the country.
During the year twenty-seven children have
been received, and seventeen have been provided
with good Christian homes.
Perhaps Il might add to the interest should
some special cases be cited. One little boy Of
American parentagc WINS 10 abused by his iather
and step-mothcr that tho authorities Of the town
were obliged TO interfere. A guardian was APP
pointed and the boy brought to the Home Upon
being asked ly a lady II he liked living at the
Home he replied with much eamestness. 81
gncss do" The poor little fellow was fearfully
bruised when he came, and seemed terrified when
any one spoke to him Going to his teacher one
day he said You won't let my papa get me
will you?
Another ease which has excited much sympathy
is that Of little blind girl. Blindness seems
burden enough, but blindness and poverty COM
bined are almost too much fora frail child to bear
Admission 10 % blind asylum has been secured for
her, where She can he properly taught, and II poe
.ibe. fitted To care Tor herself
Another case is that Of two American children,
whose parents were at one time, well-to-do far
mers The mother died, the father unfortunate in
busnos--lo.t his proporty-hs health failed and
he was unable 10 provide for his children. Utterly
discouraged and disheartened, he brought them to
the Home, saving as he gave them up; They
have been ii-treated and have actually suffered
ior the ncces4aries Of life in the places where |
have been obliged to leave them"
Children have been received during the year
from the following towns Barre, Barton, Bristol
burlington, Ferrisburgh, Gulfori, Hydepark,
johnson. Nliddlebury, Montpelier, Plainfield, Ru-
pert, Rutland, Shoreham, Swanton, St Albans
yorgennes Waterbury and Williston.
Reports from the children are generally encour-
aging One lady writes concerning child whom
She has adopted My little Anna is very we'll
and a great pet in the house. She is very low
ing, ancctionate child, and as bright as can be-
We don't know how we could live without her 3"
The best reports come from the younger children,
showing most conclusiyoly that our great hopes
De in the infants and very little ones.
We quote from an old lady s letter as an example
Of the appreciation which our work sometimes
We regret we cannot say always-receives from
tho friends of the children. The little gnndchild
Of whom she spoke has been taken from the Home
by h. father after remaining with us year and a
half She says we are all delighted with the
little fellows improvement 1t seems surprising
that so Young child should remember so much.
lie sings his little hymns and seems quite happy.
! shall ever feel grateful to you for your kind in
tercst in him. and should much rather he had re-
maned with you.
As we have before incidentally remarked, we
have had, during the year, most efficient helpers
at the Home, and the children have been well and
wisely cared for and instructed.
We have 70 thank our friends for their subscrip-
tons to the building fund, annual expenses, as
wen as for their contributions 10 the pleasure and
improvement Of the children.
Packages Of clothing have been received from
Cambridge, Coventry, Chelsea, Painfeld, sax
tons River, Vergennes, willision, and Walling
ford
While the year has been one filled with mer
cles, we have been called to mourn the death o
one Of our most active and earnest county mana
gers, Mrs l.. g. Hincldey.
Although we at this meeting miss her fac'
which last year greeted us, We would rejoice thai
her work was so well done and that she Is reap
ing her reward.
our thoughts also turn 10 our faithful count,
aborer, Mrs. Harriet NJ Davis who one year ag'
sat with us in counsel, and cannot refrain
from again recording our appreciation of he
lovely, Christian character and her untiring in
terest in the Home. May lie to whose will VI
reyerently bow fill the vacant places and contnu
| to us His blessing
Respectfully submitted,
KATE W MORTON, Cor Sec.