Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-10-25

GLOBE, SATURDAY MI
THE MAGDALEN HOME.
Annual Meeting OF the Associat' on En-
eoursg'nE Report of tho Secretary Work
Thst Has Been Acco mplished-Proposing
to Hold the Men Responsible as well as
the Women-Financial Report-Mana-
gers for the Year.
The board of managers of the Women's
Christian or Magdalen home, held their an
nual meeting yesterday afternoon atthe par
lors of the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton. Mrs. Van Duzee presided, and Mrs.
A. NJ. Pettltt discharged the duties of secre-
tary.
The meeting was an unusually interest
ing one. the attendance being large, and
great additional interest being given BY
particularly encouraging annual report
submitted by Mrs. s. s. Taylor, and an clio
quent address from Mrs. Van Cleve, of Min
nespolis.
So soon as the meeting was called to order,
Mrs. Taylor submitted
THE ANNUAL REPORT.
The Office Of president of this soci ETY. being
vacant, it devolves upon the corresponding
secretary to make the annual report of the
Minnesota WOmen's Home. The sixth wears
existence of our society has been marked by a
great loss in the death of our esteemed presi-
dent. Mrs. d. 8. B. Johnston, which occurred
early in January. She had been intimately
associated with this Christian enterprise from
it's beginning, knew all its needs, and had la
bored most earnestly to place it upon firm
financial basis, by legislative enactment. Its
prosperity lay very near her heart. When we
learned the sad truth that her prayers. her
work, were ended, q cloud like great rail- fell
upon us, and what wonder the question came
to us with startling earnestness, What shall we
do? Who can fill the void? To-day her voice,
which would have greeted US, and stirred us by
earnest appeal to more effort in this work she
held SO sacred, is silent forever; yet though she
te dead she yet speaketh, and her works follow
her.
The present year, at it's beginning, found us
with ten inmates in our home The number
has varied, at different periods, from eight to
eighteen. Thirty three have been admitted as
inmates. seven were given tt mporary relief and
shelter.
OF the number admitted five have married.
three have returned IT, their parents twelve
have been placed in good situations, where
OF this number six found homes in the coun-
try, four have united with Christian churches,
while number OF others, we believe, are striv.
ing to lead Christian lives. Some of these
have been in their homes long enough to
give the board much confidence in their per-
manent reformation. 1t is our aim and pur-
pose to correspond with them, or those who
employ them, and not to lose sight of or inter-
est in them. One for whom we had many fears
has now been in an excellent Christian family
several months, and they offer her home for
life with them. Three infants have died, and
three been adopted into good homes to be cared
for with parental love- During most of the
year the good feeling and gratitude shown
by most of the inmates, their willing conform
ity to the rules of the house, together with
the interest manifested in the religious SER
vices of the Sabbath, and the evening bible
lesson taught by the matron has been source
of much qualification. During period of
| anxiety, an inmate being sick with fever, the
house closed to work, and precaution taken
against contagion, the matron, weary with care
| and watching, thought to omit the lesson for
the night, when one of the girls said earnestly,
20, do let us have prayers" When the ques-
ton was asked who had studied the lesson, the
reply was all had done SO. When, after the les
son, the matron offered prayer. all followed
six out of seven never having
prayed before, surely angels rejoice over such
scene. But the years record is not without
its dark sides. Alas how could it be other
wise. We have restless, despairing souls to
contend with. to whom life seems worthless
Who gill not bear restraint willingly; with
whom, even the striving of the Spirit with an
awakened conscience perchance, cannot be
borne, and they fain would seek forgetfulness
anywhere. The sound of the gospel or it's teach
ings cannot reach them, and our only hope al.
most for doing them good is in constant en-
ployment. l remember one young in years,
love ia Of
ease, brief though it be,
rather than one of honest labor, who turned
from all prayerful entreaty, and sought and
sought again, as we fear, the ways of sin. But
let me speak of an interesting case in contrast
to this. A young woman who had been a
courtezan, sought voluntarily the refuge of the
House. She was so disturbed by the reading of
the scriptures, she could not sleep; she would
feel better, she said, to get somewhere else
But the seed sowed found Judgment; her heart
was subdued and broken on account of her sin.
She sought earnestly and found peace ere she
knew death set it's seal upon her, and
now consumption has done its work
| and she is calmly waiting for the end, with
faith in the cleansing blood of the Redeemer to
wash away her sin. A few days since in CONVEX
/ rsation when asked if she knew the end was near
and if she felt no fear She answered, .None, I
know love my Savior and want to go to be
with him. as would with any dear friend here
I long to 60, have nothing to keep me here.'
A young girl who has been in our home nearly
a year, naturally of gentle and amiable dis
position became sincere Christian, and
has been SO helpful by her willing
retained her in the Home. She united with
| the church. and has now place of responsible
ity in the country. During this time there
! was another possessing such stubborn will
| and SO repellant disposition that we deemed
hou al - =:
| sick bed; she became humble and contrite in
| spirit, truly repentant, as we believe ana q
changed being. She also became member of
| the church. She went home to her mother,
| has sent for her letter to unite with the church
where her home is to be. and is soon to be mar
ried. Let me mention one striking instance
| of what may be done to right the wronged,
| rs far as human help can do it. A girl came
to the Home lady-like, retiring in disposition
| and manners, seeking refuge in her hour of
| need. Her parents knew nothing of her
trouble. Her betrayer was sent for, came. met
4 all expenses, and now, after stay of several
months in the Home, she has been lavishly
supplied by him with wedding outfit. and on
Sunday last he married her. declaring his faith
and confidence in her. When we review the
past year (there are many other facts we might
give you) and think for moment what might
have been the sequel to those pages Of life his.
tory; whittier their feet might have wandered
the possible, aye, probable ruin of their lives,
as well as eternal interests, had not those doors
opened to receive them, we can but thank
God and take courage in the endeavor to sup
port the Home.
1t will be readily seen how essential it is that
the inmates should be kept steadily employed,
for we well know idleness begets discomfort
and mischief. As you will learn from the
treasuler's report, quite a large sum has been
earned by the laundry carried on during the
year. The proceeds of work done in the Home
| are equally divided between the workers and
the Home, thus supplying some of their ne
cessitieS and encouraging them Az the presenf