The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-04-18

HOMES FOR WAIFs.-Rev. C. l.. Brace
delivered highly interesting lecture at the
Young Mems Christian Association rooms
Sunday afternoon, On the subject of the New
York Children's Aid Society. Mr.. Brace is
the representative of the Society which has
for some months past been sending boys
and girls to Virginia and other States, Sc
curing them homes and employment with
the farmers. While OIL a tour to Europe
some twenty five years ago, Mr.. Brace had
his attention drawn to the efforts made
there in the interest of reform, and on his
return to New York undertook the labor OF
visiting. and seeking out those who might
possibly b. reclaimed, and redeemed. lie
found this very hard work, producing very
little good results. His attention was then
directed to the boys, who i'll large numbers
were found OH the streets, making living
in all sorts of ways-with no homes and no
frie nds-growing up with loose ideas OF
morality and virtue, and altogether destitute
of religious training. The only way to reach
these boys was to supply their immediate
want-a home. With this view the first
news boys lodging was opened-a room was
comfortably fitted up, under the charge of a
superintendent, the boys were invited to
come and get lodgings and breakfast, and
while only few came at first, through curl
osity to see if anybody would certainly do
anything for them, yet. after awhile, when
it was an ascertained fact, the room was
soon filled up. While the boys were col
lected in the rooms at night, advantage was
taken of the occasion to talk to them, and
give them good advice, as to the conduct oil
their dealings and towards each other, and
from this they gradually worked into q
a night school, where the boys, after work
ing during the day. would assemble to be
taught. A gymnasium, bathroom, &C.,
were attached to the lodging for the use
and comfort of the boys. With a view to
| promote habits of economy and thrift among
them, Saving Bank was placed in the
lodging, where each boy might deposit his
saving for the day. Some would save from
$40 to SIS month"; Every thing was done
| to provide for their comfort-a dryroom was
opened to dry their clothes when they came
in soaked by the rain. The boys were re-
markably healthy, scarcely anyone ever be-
| ing sick; this was attributed 10 the cleanli-
ness with which the room was kept, and the
outdoor exercise taken by the boys. There
| ~ oft Jnip for N
and ore for girls. 1900 boys and girls pass
through these lodgings annually. There
have been established schools, also, for boys
and girls who have homes, but do not go to
school here they are taught and provided
with food. There are twenty-one industrial
schools and fifteen night schools, where
| 10000 children are taught. Very few fall
away from the lessons here taught them.
With all this accumulation Of work and
expense in the city. the friends of this large
and benevolent enterprise were forced to
| look for some outlet, and there was organ.
lied the Emigration Bureau, in connection
with the Homes. BY the operation of this
department some 1900 children are annual
| ly sent out. 10000 have been sent out alto
gether, to the West, in the States OF Indi-
ana, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri; and in the
South some 200 have been located on farms
near Petersburg, Va. With scarcely an ex
ception all have done well, and many have
risen to positions of wealth and Importance
One boy sent out to Western State, grad
ually saved funds enough to educate him
self-afterwards taught school, and BY
means resulting from his own labor, was en-
abled to take four years. course at Yalt
College; then he graduated at a Theological
Seminary and went out as a missionary
Another boy, picked up In the streets of New
York, homeless and friendless, was sent tt
the West. In few years he returned, hav
ing purchased farm, married, and was al
applicant at the Home for boys to assist hin
in farm work. There is great demand TO
these boys and girls. The Committee ha
been looking to the fertile Valley of Vir
ginia, with its salubrious climate, as a mos
suitable place to locate come Of them, and il
the course OF three or four weeks twenty
five or thirty boys will be brought to thi
place, and through the agent of the Assccia
ton placed at homes.
The mode OF disposing of them will b
through committee OF citizens, who will
be sufficiently interested to see that the chill
dren are put at homes where they will b
we'll cared for in morals and in health. Tn
only contract is that OF good will on bot
sides, and wages are expected only whe
the services justify them. In no event wi
any boy or girl be allowed to become bur
den on tile community IN which they ar
placed. The Society agrees in all sue
cases, to send its agent for them, and TAX
them back free Of expense to any one.
DEATH.-Powell Harrison, ESQ.,, form er
ly OF this place, died at his home in Leesbur
last week. He was man Of brilliant talent
and attachments, and the announcement
his death carried sorrow to the hearts OF hi
ma nv friends in this community