Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-06
BETHESDA.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNION
SOCIETY.
A Pleasant OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of
Omeers-EIectfOns- by Rev
II. p. Kerr-A Fine Dinner for the
Boys

The one hundred and thirty-frst ami
versary of the Union Society was celebrated
at Bethesda yesterday, and was 8 most in
teresting occasion. Notwithstanding the
very threatening weather early in the
morning there was very good turn out of
the members of the society and large at
tendance of visitors, many coming in
carriages, while the several trains were well
filed.
The interior of the Orphan House was
handsomely decorated with moss, ever
greens and flowers, and over the front en-
trance was sign bearing the inscription,
tfRome of Mercy to Many Souls" In the
Dsrlor was suspended 9 memorial to the late
Rev. c. B. King.
BUSINESS MEETING.
At 1880 O'Clock the members were called
to the Orphan House, where the regular
business meeting was held, with President
J. H. Estill in the chair. The reading OF the
minutes of the last annual meeting was, on
motion of Col. G. II. Olmstead, dispensed
with. as they had already been published
and read by the members.
PRESIDENTS REPORT.
The President then read his report for the
year, which was followed by the reports Of
SUPERINTENDENT
Treasurer, as follows:
| To the Members Of the Union Society.
Were it not that your bylaws require a re-
port from me on this occasion it would be as
well to omit IT. and merely refer you to the re-
ports Of the Superintendent. and the several
/ committees of your Board of Managers. From
these reports you will see that we have had
comparatively satisfactory year: that we have
not refused single worthy applicant for your
bounty and protection, and that we have not
| run in debt TO do this has, however, virtually
taken every dollar of your income. leaving
nothing for the improvement OF your proper
ties upon the income from which the Society Is
| dependent for its revenues). or the compile
| ton of the Orph zn House.
We have the satisfaction, however. Of know
/ ing that we are doing the best that is possible
| with the means we have at our command
During the past year seventY-three boys have
had homes at Bethesda, seventeen OF whom
| have left three without leave, five put to
trades, and nine returned TO their relatives).
/ leaving now upon the roll hfty-siX The aver
| age number provided for during the year has
| been fifty at a cost, including every ex-
| pense at Bethesda, except repairs on buildings
| and fences, of $50 ID per capita. The boys have
| been blessed With good health save attacks Of
| the humps, lately so prevalent throughout
/ the country, and are Mighty commended by the
Superintendent and MatrOn for their uniform
| good behavior, there having been no serious
| breach of discipline during the past year
The instruction of so large a number of
| bows. many of whom when admitted scarcely
/ knew more than the alphabet. poses very
arduous and difficult duty upon the teacher. II
| is therefore very gratifying to ind that the
| committee. Messrs. Baker. B0gart and Train,
/ Of the public schools. who kindly examined
| the boys in their Studies report the school as
| progressing very satisfactorily. These gentle
| men suggest the consolidation OF several
| classes, by which the labors Of the teacher
| will be considerably lessened. trust their
suggestions will be adopted.
The very unreasonable weather this year
has retarded work upon the farm. but never
| theless much has been accomplished. Under
| the systematic plan of fertllizlng, lnaugurated
| by the Farm Committee, and faithfully and
| theoretically carried on by Mr.. Chaplin. the
| Superintendent, the land is becoming more
productive every season. take pleasure in
| referring to the reports of the committee in
| charge and the Superintendent, on this most
important subject
At the close of the summer term Of our
school the teacher, Mr. E. G. Way. resigned,
having been referred to a special COM
mittee, they appointed Mr. H. w. Way,
a brother of the former incumbent
He has MRS 50 far 'emH .tt entire re sa5s
on the 1st of March, and after consultation
with majority of the Board Of Managers, Mrs.
FoIker was appointed to the vacancy her place
as seamstress being filled by Mrs Lumsden,
assistant seamstress All the officers OF the
Orphan House have been faithful in the dis
charge of the duties Of their respective sta
tions, and the utmost harmony has prevailed
amongst them.
Mr.. A. Y. Chaplin the Superintendent, has
developed a remarkable fitness for the re-
sponsi0le position which he occupies He is
an excellent and console ptious Fl ser, and de-
serves the thanks of eve frie If practical
| benevolence for the ablr u4nr in which he
has managed this benefSsnt cl- ~.
mr. d. r. Thomas, Treasurer. ) given the
labors of his office the benefit Of his well
known business capacity, performing its du
ties promptly and carefully, without cost to
the Society. trust he will give us his valuable
services for years to come.
Gen. A. r. Lawton and Capt. H. O. Cunning
ham, attorneys. Drs Duncan, Mcfarland and
Dupon, physicians, DR.. Z. Parsons, dentist,
have, as heretofore, contributed their services
whenever called upon. Mrs. George Ferguson
and daughters have kindly conducted the Sun
day school the past year, as they have done in
previous years.
since my last report we have lost our es-
teemed friend, the Rev. c. B. King, whose
pastoral visits TO Bethesda extended through
many years. His transformations piety en-
deared him TO all who knew him.
The city property Of the Society is in toler
able condition and is bringing fair income. A
portion OF it might yield rcore were il in better
repair but as we have no money with which
to improve it, we must be satisfied with what
we get from it,
Below submit a condensed report of the
receipts and expenditures of the society during
the year ending April l, 1881: