The New York herald., 1879-10-31
FACTS VERSUS IMPRESSIONS.

wARRENsBURe. N. Y, Oct 2s. 1879.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
My attention has been called to article in your
issue of Tuesday. October 81. headed. in rather
sensational style, "Oblivion-How tho Poor Live
Die and Are Buried in Warren County-Childhood
Without Joy-Old Age and Infancy without a
Comfort" 1t purports to be correspondents
letter. dated from Caldwell Lake George. 1t carries
an air of truth and candor about it which
heightens the effect and gives greater force
to the false impressions it conveys. Passing
Impressions not always reliable. Certainly in
this injustice Il hope unintentional) has been
done That the model poorhouse has yet been
realized / greatly question. 1t cannot bo under
our present system. Tho State and county care for
the bodies of their poor, but to spend money in
providing for their spiritual interests in devel
oping aesthetic taste for the qualification OF pauper
ism IS out OF their province and must be the work
of Christian and Church philanthropy. The model
poorhouse calls for its chapel and chaplain and the
ministrations OF holy men and women who work
not for hire. but for love Of Christ. And now for
facts versus Impressions. Large additions have
been made to the County House for the greater
fort OF the paupers. to which your correspondent
simply alludes, nothing more. fair statement
would have given greater prominence to this fact.
The keeper L. q. Hail. takes fathery interest and
pride in his work; has the reputation OF being
kind-hearted and generous man. very fond of chill
dren and universally considerate of the paupers
under his charge. Willie Eastman. described as "a
wretched little cripple not more than yard high.
owes utelSence ne Possesses ana All Is 10
the kindness OF Mr.. Hall and his wife, who have
treated him as one OF their own family. The police
or poorhouse must necessarily be difficult matter
to control, and. without doubt great part of the
Nth complained OF is the direct responsibility of the
wreched outcasts of society which bere brought
together. The most serious insinuation of the
article, however, is the implied charge against the
people of Warrensburg OF entire lack of sympathy in
the spiritual destituton of the paupers and their
indecorous burial. l have been nearly five years
rector of the Church Of the Holy Cross, Warrens-
burg. Our parish record has frequent entries of
1ax,tt nHrty,a l.tr, I'm
House. As long my parish duties allowed held
consecutive months. During the heat of the past
summer, without waiting to procure u horse. 1
walked the two and half miles there and back in
order to give them u weekday service At every
burial have held have used the full service and
ritual of the Church and have read the committal
sentence at the grave. II any sick or
dying person has missed my attendance it
has been entirely because of thor own
Indifference and the fact OF their having
been brought up with the idea that sick bed minis
trations by the priest OF God are non-essentals
and the only preparation for death necessary is u
pious expression of trust in Jesus" Doal with
the faults leniently for it is the popular religion Of
the day. would add that the County House Is con-
stantly visited by individuals and parties from the
village with respect to the adoption of children
from the Poorhouse. ! would simply say that
pauper mothers have some share of natural feeling
and certain rights well as others. and that the
adoption of a child some two years since exposed
the good lady who attempted 1t to good zeal of
RECTOR,