Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-11
.c. The room Is lighted By four windows on each

etc. The room Is lighted By four windows on each
side, and four at the cast end one half Of the mum
Der being Of a circular pattern. The windows are
of Aocked glass, With stained borders. Four ele
giant chandeliers are suspended from the ceiling
Their ,hirty-sis burners illuminate the hall with .
MONDAY brightness. The chapel will seat com
fortably three hundred persons. Our readers must
not suppose that all these things are provided ano
| in complete running order. A legislative appro-
priation is being awaited, to provide furnishings
| for the kitchen and it, adjoining compartments
the rooms in the second story, and settees for the
chapel. On the occasion Of the dedication last
evening seats were improvised for the chapel, the
| settee, and chairs being brought in from the old
| room used as chapel.
The beautiful hall was 6lled by members Of the
State Government, citizens, strangers tarrying in
| the city, and inmates, some seventy-fve of the
latter being present. All were charmed with The
| attractive appearance Of the room and its adapta-
| ton to the purpose for which it was intended.
The Governor, members of the council, clergy
| men, and others, had seats on the platform. The
| exercises commenced with singing of the Anthem,
LET every heart rejoice and sing" by select
| choir under the direction of Dr.. IIawes Of Hal
lowell. The dedn atory prayer was then offered
Z. L. Patangall, Esq, Of the board OF Trustees,
| called the attention Of the audience to the dedi-
catory services. As he was suffering quite severe
~ from hoarsencss, be asked to be excused from
making any extended remarks. As a member Of
the board, he expected they would be CT insured Or
commended for what had been done rather than
by anything that might be said In the work
they had undertaken aud carried forward they
mad been careful of the inteiest of the people Of
the State, and had done all in their power for the
.nalfu kn t,nfn ufn han aptvn .fn IN
their care. He trusted that their conduct off,
GERS would meet the approval Of the public.
Judge Woodbury., Of the board Of Trustees
said
In this year of our National Centennial, we
point with pride to the advancement in wealth and
population, and the growth Of our agricultural,
nanuf ,cturing and commercial interests. Our
population one hundred years ago, numbering
about :, 900 600 is about so 00O 600. Our civ
iIizaton then hardly reaching the banks of the
Mi. si.sippi extended across the continent to
the broad Pacific. Our commerce. then confined
to few foreign ports, now extends to every quar-
ter of the globe, and sails whten every sea,
protected by stars and stripes. The school
house. the church, the press, then in their infancy
now send out their branches everywhere, and
their leaves for the healing Of the nations
One hundred yearseg steam as a motive power
was unknown, now we rot only make it our SER
want to transport us from place 10 place, but it
supplant- manual labor in a multitude OF ways
and even our homes are made comfortable by its
genial glow. The forked lightning drawn FROM
the clouds by Franklins key, Is now generated IN
vessels made with hands, and made subservient to
the uses Of man, almost snnihilating space and
time. But Benevolent Institutions are our
browning gloiy, and the outgrowth Of our chris
tan civilization, and were unknown one hundred
years ago.
Reform Schools for boys, Industrial School for
Girls, homes for aged men and women, orphan
asylums for the deaf, the dumb, the blind and the
insane !oundlings hospitals little wanderers homes
sabbath schools, point unmistakably to the great
christian idea permsating the heart OF the nation,
the universal brotherhood Of man.. These mas
siye walls, these human provisions for supplying
not only the necessaries of life, but some Of Its
Injuries, this rctinue of servants which yonr par
TALLY have committed to our care, for the comfort
and improvement Of that upfoitu class of our
fellow citizens (here confined deprived Of reason,
speak more eloquenty than any words Of mine, Of
the more than fathery care, and ssterly love, you
bear towards unfortunate brethren. The chris
tian idea that VIC are not our Own, an that which
we possess is committed TO US as stewards, is lead
ing to the realization Of the great part Of our
accountability, and TO the fuflment of the divine
command as ye would that men should DO 70 you,
do We even SO TO them.
How best to alleviate the wants and to lit the
cloud from the minds of those committed to our
care, have been a source of much anxiety TO the
Trustees and resident officers. Arriving al the
conclusion that abundance Of water and fresh
pure air Indispensable to the comfort and re-
covery of the patients, and realizing that it would
be useless to enter upon system Of ventilation
while the food was all prepared under the main
building, We conceived the idea of erecting the
building we now occupy and propose to dedicate
10 night. He then gave the figures showing the
cost, and described the uses TO which the building
was to be put, and officially turned It over to the
Superintendent
Dr. Harlow said he was thankful Of the privilege
of standing within the finished editice, and trusted
it would be q soce and balm for many wounds.
He would give thanks 20 God and to the people
who have given US this building, providin. fac!li
tiles for the physical, moral and religious wants OF
the patients. No in.tituion Of the kind can be
complete without these appliances. The influence
Of the Gospel salutary and benefcent to the dis
disturbed mind.
The choir then sung the following beautiful
original hymn, composed for the occasion by Mrs
Neal, wife of DR.. Neal one of the physicians:
With grateful hearts to Thee o God.
Enihroned in matchless power,
We come with voice OF prayer and praise
In this suspicious hour.
Thou of Thy goodness hast prep red
For all thy needy here,
o, let our glad thanksgiving i7e
Unto Thy willing ear!
These goodly walls, this chapel fair,
To Thee we cor secfate;
Here may Thy presence healing b: ing
To Swallowed souls who wait
As Israel's stricken king OF old
When the enhancing swell
Or David's softly sounding harp
Broke the unholy spell
The distant home seems nearer now.
And freside voices call,
The golden links, affections strong,
That bind zach heart to all.
The Saviour " bile on earth revealed
Humanity's broad claim
Though reasons wrapped In sombre cloud
The soul lives the same,
IN harmony of love and trust,
And Charity's warm hand,
God HESS the day that sent this Light
To cheer suffering band.
Rev. DR.. Quinby was called upon. lie was
glad of the opportunity to be present He appre-
cia,ed with his whole heart all that had been done
here in the interests of humanity. The chapel
| well supplements the beautiful park that had been
dedicated He spoke Of the magnitude of the in
sttution. All should have an interest in it, as
even ourselves and our friends may occupy this
place. 1t is no crime to be insane. Some of the
great phanthropists had been called insane.
| Howard and Garrison and Paul, had at times been
called insane. But insanity is great misfortune.
n nd ln oil in fOr 10 II NJ