River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-07-06

ST.. PAU. SCREEDS.-
1t may not be generally known that
one of tile most efficient refofnatory
institutions III st. Paul, is under the
very competent matronship of a for
mer Pierce county lady, viz, Mrs.
Rogers, late of Prescott, whose daugh.
ter, Minnie B., was widely ard favor
ably known in Pierce county as a
teacher, but is now the wife of Mr.. B..
White, sou of Spencer White, ESD, of
Prescott, and doing the duties of a
pioneers wife in western Minnesota.
The institution is The Woman S Chris
tian Home, located near Mississippi
Street. 1t is refuge for girls who
have lavished their affections and con-
hlence upon unworthy parties, and
are anxious to change their lives to u
higher plane. 1t is supported partly
from the proceeds of work done by
the inmates and partly from voluntary
contributions.
While little or no restraint is used
in most eases, the Christian influence
is such that many are converted, and
nearly all leave with good resolutions.
There are, Of course, many little fa-
therless waits born in the Home, and
these are, when no friends take them,
placed IN families of good repute,
whose hearthstones are destitute and
the mother is left in total Ignorance
of her child location, Us well us usu-
ally, we believe, the recipients.
Religious services are held on Sab
bath afternoons by the various minis
ters Of the city and lay workers. and
a more attentive audience is rarely
found. AS one SAID, it needs no argu-
ment TO convince them that they are
sinners, and the remedy alone need he
presented. Usually there are enough
of the inmates who are musicians to
conduct the singing, and occasionally
there are very fine voices heard that
would do credit to the possesSor in the
best city salons. Among the inmates
not long since WAS the victim Of Stan
lev. the Alton Lotharlo. Miss Bodies,
whose voice with cultivation, would
have been her fortune. Her face and
for IN however, were not possessed of
more than ordinary attraction, and
her facial aspect was silllen.
When the girls leave, their dastina-
ton is often kept Il secret, lest their
betrayers sho 1ld follow, and friends
correspond only through the natron.
1t is not designed SO mach as tempo
rary refuge for snperannuated CEpri-
ans. whose reform is hopeless. as for
victims of displaced confidence, who
are truly repentant.
Among the inmates we noticed one
whose beauty. culture, and easy al
dress showed her to have moved in
good society, anil, us she was Temporal
rily engaged elsewhere, and came III
for few moments, we did not for a
moment think of her As a fallen sister,
but as one of the ladies of some good
family. She was II member of Il
church and choir when adversely be-
fell her. There ATE Il few heavy, SEN
snail faces. but as many That nave
hCtu ttiS udi ilit-o u 1cN0bt1 lSst 0l'to'
The names of those lienas who sent
them there hy their deceit, if publish
ed. might surprise some homes. Some
are those who disappear from the
world for awhile, and when the fruit
of their shame is disposed of, return
again TO the world. saying that they
have visited IA relttive. were taken
sick. etc. etc anything to keep
their friends in ignorance of their
fall.
The house is managed by board of
ladies from the various churches. butt
the mayron, Mrs. Rogers, is the execu-
tive officer. ami ably does she fill the
place. which could not be doue by a
woman without possessing kindness.
firmness, energy, and earnest piety.