Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-01
ST. JOSEPH'S MALE ORPHANAGE,
WASHINGTON, GEORGIA.
Seventh Annual Report, from February
1, 1888, to February L, 1884.

seventh annual Report, frOm Febr1 ary
L, 1888, to February 1, 1884.
Right Zee. W. II. Cross D. D., SoUannah, Ga;
RT. Kew. AND DEAR BTSHOP-ln presenting
the seventh annual report Of your Male Or
phanage ii is q pleasure to be able to say that
it Is in a tiourishing condition.
The generous support heretofore given it
by the people has been continued, enabling
the Sisters in charge to provide for all the
wants of the institution and make its inmates
comfortable and happy.
Thanks to the goodness OF God ana the en-
lightened care Of the Sisters, the usual gOod
health has been preserved, no serious sickness
having occurred during the year.
The two schools, primary and intermediate.
provided for the orr ha1 boys are remarkably
well conducted. The public examination,
held on the fourth Of last July, was attended
by large number OF visitors from saYannah'
Augusta, Atlanta and Macon. The very thor
Ough manner in which the examination was
made. together with the correct and ready
answers OF the boys, were such as to win the
admiration of all, and showed concluslvey
that the important duty of educating the or
phan boys is conscientiOusly discharged,
Your own gold medal for good conduct was
won by Master Joseph Clarke, of Augusta;
the gold medal for proficiency in study was
won by Master John MahOney, of savannah;
the gold cross for Christian doctrine was
awarded to Master Willie Raney of Augusta,
and the silver medal, for drawing, was award
ed to Master Daniel Mcdonald, OF Macon.
Many book premiums and pictures were given
to the other boys, according to their standing
in their respective classes. Every boy re-
ceived something, either for good conduct or
application to study.
The presence of so many visitors at their
examination, and the reception OF their med
ais and premiums from the hands OF their
own beloved Bishop has had a most salutary
effect. The boys seem to realize that though
they are orphans, there is something to live
for-the hOnOrs of school life are open to them
as well as to more favored children. May 1t
not be hoped that the efforts made to succeed
in school life are indicative Of the efforts they
viii make in after life to become upright,
honorable men?
The next public examination and distribu-
ton of medals and premiums Will take place
early IN July, due notice OF which VIII be
given, and visitors invited to come and see
for them elves what kind of schools are pro-
vided for the poor homeless orphan boys OF
your diocese.
The morality of the boys is all that can be
desired. They are so good, respectful and
obedient that the Sisters lind 1t more OF
pie sure than task to labor for their comfort
and happiness. Not single case OF lnsub-
ordination has occurred during the year. This
desirable state of affairs has been brought
about by the gentle frmness OF the Sisters III
managing the boys. Their sense OF honor Is
always appealed to with success. by TINS
kind. but firm, discipline, corporal punish
ment is avoided and their affectiOn&te conf
dence won by the Sisters, who know so well
how to use it, in teaching them to live for high
and noble purposes.
Niuety-one orphan bows have been provided
for during the year. OF these 80 were from
Savannah; I6 from Augusta; 10 from Atlanta;
from Macon; from sharon; , from Athens;
from Washington; 3 from Columbus; ! from
Milledgeviile; / from Sparta, and one from
Darien. Twenty-one boys were received
during the year, and l6 sent away. Nine Of
the latter were returned TO relatives, ana
provided with places, leaving at present 20
boys in the asylum, accredited to the respec-
tive cities as fol Ows: Thirty-One from Sa-
vannah; IS from Augusta; from Atlanta; 8
from Macon; from sharon; from Athens; 3
from Washington; from Columbus; ! from
Milledgeyille; l from Sparta, and fro q
Darien.
Five boys were baptized during the year As
were confirmed, and u made their first COM
munion.
Owing to the continued drought, efforts to
make the farm source of revenue resulted in
failure. Where ten bales of cot II were made
last season only three were raised this year.
The same ratio may be applied to the other
crops.
But the failure Of the crops was more than
compen satet for by the bequest of the late
Capt. John Mcmahon, of Savannah. The part
of this bequest secured to the Male Orphanage
consists of a brick house in savannah, valued
at about s. 900, which is well rented, and will
be the source Of an annual income OF about
$500.
The institution owes much to Mrs. G. Nc
MahOn and Mrs. F. K. Douglass for this be-
quest. l is well known that Capt. Mcmahon
died intestate, and they, as his legal heirs,
were not at all bound to apply any part of the
estate to charitable purposes. Acting, how
his intention had he been spared, they have
nobly and generously done a deed that is at
once a blessing to the orphan boys, an honor
to themselves, and that VIII cause the memory
of Capt. John MCMah0n to be held in per-
petual benedictiOn.
1t would be unjust to close this report with
out calling your attention and the attention
of all interested in the welfare Of your Male
Orphanage to the work done in its behalf by
the lady collectors. Their labors have been
mentioned in former reports, and all that has
been said Of them in the past might with equal
truth be repeated here, but they deserve some
thing more sub, tantial than mere words.
Christian women th4t have proved them
selves as good and true as they have in the
noble cause of charity should be remembered,
and their names handed down to pOsterity,
when the selfish and indifferent are forgot
ten. 1t IS proposed, therefore, to have their
names and their lahOf5 IN behalfOf the orphan
boys written in a book that shall be called
1.-THE Annals of st. JOseph'5 Male Orphan
age" These annals Will be carefully pre-
served and read TO the orphan boys from time
to time each year, and thus they will be
taught to remember and pray for their bene-
factors, not only for month or year, but as
long as the institution itself shall last.
In closing these remarks il NAV be said that
the orphan boys and those in charge of the in
stilutIOn sincerely wish to assure all their
benefactOTs that they are grateful " Temem-
bered before the mercy seat Of God, that He
may repay them q hundred fold for their
charity and generosity toward them. For all
the bencfactOrs who have died during the past
year the Holy Sacrifice has been offered, and
all the masses and prayers promised on the
cards of membership have been faithfully said.
The same are promised for next year, that God
in His mercy may bless each and all III this
life and admit them hereafter to eternal hap
piness.
The following statement Of the financial af-
fairs OF the Orphanage is fun and complete,
and accounts for every dollar received for its
support during the year. 1t may be well to
add that, except few donations of sweet
meats at Christmas, nothing has been re-
ceived that is not accounted for below.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FROM FEBRUARY !,
1883, TO FEBRUARY !, 18S4.-RECEIPTs FROM
LADY COLLECTORS.