The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-11-29
The Opening of the Temporary Home

The formal opening of the Portland Tempo
rary Home for women and children took place
yesterday afternoon at o'clock. In spite of
the somewhat threatening skies large num-
Der of ladies and gentlemen were present, in
Guiding of course. the managers and directors
OF the institution, and many friends who, by
their interest and generosity, had largely con-
tributed to the building of the new house.
Among those present were Hon. w. w.
Thomas, Judge G. W. Goddard and Mrs. God
dard, Rev. Mr.. Bashford. Rev. Mr.. Bellows,
Mr.. and Mrs. G. s. Hunt, Mrs L. M. N. Ste
VEINS, Mrs. Bion Bradbury. Mrs. Alex. Long
fellow. Mrs. P. 81. Brown, Mrs. f. H. Gerrish
and Miss M. T. Hersey.
short time was spent in the survey of the
various rooms, an account of which has al
ready appeared in the daily papers. Every
thing looked neat, pleasant and homelike. The
nursery, with its row of little cribs, must be
very sunny and bright on pleasant and sun
ny day. The arrangements of the dining
room and kitchen seemed quite full and COM
plete. On the second floor are ten single bed
rooms, with special room for the sick, known
as the hospital, and a bath room. The cellar
is nicely finished off, and the heating arrange,
ments are ample. The attic contains four fin
ished chambers, with room for storage. The
building committee is certainly to be congratu-
lated or the success which has thus crowned
their efforts. The home, though simple and
plain, answers admirably to the needs of the
Institution.
The president of the board of managers,
Mrs. Bion Bradbury, welcomed the friends of
the institution, and called upon Rev. Mr..
Bashford to read the Scriptures and offer
prayer. Mrs. L. NJ. N. Stevens then made a
brief, but most touching and affecting address,
in which she showed the urgent necessity for
Just such a home as was here provided; the
hearty response which had been made to their
call for aid, which had induced her to believe
the world, in spite of all its misery and sin,
was a good world to live in. Mrs. Stevens
spoke of the generous gift of land from Mr.
Philip Henry Brown and Gen. John Marshall
Brown, the aid which Mr.. f. Fl. Fassett had
contributed in furnishing plans for the build
ing, and the voluntary serviceI in surveying
and preparation for drainage, rendered by Mr..
e. @. Jordan. The house, aside from plumb
ing, cellar-hoor and furnaces, cost in round
numbers, $3,S63; plumbing, furnaces, etc.,
$3.50; total, $4,402 the furniture cost about
$50.
In response to the PRESIDENTS invitation,
few short speeches were made. Rev. Mr.. Bel
lows spoke of the difference existing between
the Pagan and the Christian world, illustrat-
ing that contrast by the picture of the Roman
Coliseum, where human life was so merciless-
ly sacrificed; and of the Sister of Charity at the
bedside of the dying man. Jesus came into
the world to help, and those who go out from
themselves to help others are those who best
carry the spirit and teachings of Jesus.
Judge Goddard, in speech full of wit and
sound common sense congratulated the women
upon what he deemed to be great work.
Whatever "woman's sphele' might be, and
whether or not they would succeed in the law,
he was sure that they had proved themselves
good solicitors. He had his doubts about re-
forming men after they had reached adult
years. But women and children brought un-
der right Influences might be saved Here
was the triumph of practical Christianity, in
its seeking and saving those who needed as-
sistance.
Judge Goddard introduced Hon. W. W.
Thomas, who had just arrived, as the repre-
sentative of the disciple who at one time had
been absent, but afterwards believed. Mr..
Thomas expressed his great interest in the
good work made manifest; he was sure that
the world was getting better, rather than
worse, and congratulated the ladies on their
success in the completion of this building.
Mrs. G. S. Hunt, president of the Woman's
CbriqtiaF Tam naranna ITnion in habaIf If and
as a representative Of the society, congratulate
ed the managers of the Temporary Home up
on the completion Of their long-hoped for in