The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-03-31
For the Central Presbyterian.
Matamoras Mission.
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, Feb. 9

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, Feb 9, sc.
MeSSrS -EditorS,-It will be a source
of grief to your readers, amongst whom
Miss Houston is SO extensively and SO fa.
vorably known, to learn that her health
has so completely broken down that she
has been compelled to Withdraw from the
work of the Mission, and without any
definite idea,as to when she will be able
to resume that work. 1t will also be a
source of grief, especially to those who
have assisted In establishing and sustain
ing the boarding school here, to learn
that that department of the school has,
for the present at least, been discontinued.
The Committee of Foreign Missions did
not see its way clear, in the present en-
barrassed state of its finances, to send an
other teacher to take Miss Houston s
place; and SO the boarding department
had to be closed, except on limited
scale. All of the girls who were in the
house have been provided for, except two,
and one of them partially.
My family, which moved out of the
Mission building about two years ago to
give place to the boarding school, returns
to live In the house, and we keep three
OF the girls, as many as we have room
for; four were received into our board
lng-school In Matamoras, and the other
two, who live in town, went to their
homes. One Of these, however, still con-
tinues her connection with the school as
assistant teacher. Mrs. Hall takes charge
of the day-school, as in former years, and
has the assistance of two of the girls.
Now some perhaps will be ready to fall
into the error of thinking that all the
money and labor expended upon this de-
partment of the school, have been thrown
away, but this is not the case. The board
ing-school was by no means a failure.
1t had already accomplished good, and if
1t could have continued, would have ac-
complished much more.
Two of the girls are now rendering
valuable assistance as teachers in the day
school, and for having been nearly two
years directly under the eye and constant
control OF Miss Houston, they are far bet
ter fitted for the work than they other
wise would have been. Then as to the
expense of sustaining the school. This
was reduced to a minimum, as far as the
ChuAOn WdD GOlGClutLs IOuIt Oub OF the
nine girls who were in the house, paid
their own board. The board was fixed
at, what seemed to the people here, q
ridiculously low price. Sc per month, yet,
owing to the very superior management
and economy OF the matron, Mrs Rookie,
the girls we're well provided for and no
debt was incurred, notwithstanding the
fact that some Of the societies and indi-
viduals did not come up to their engage.
ments. The small amount Of money upon
which the boarding department was SO
respectfully sustained was constant
source of wonder to those who were ac.
quainted with the facts.
The furniture is still being used for the
same purpose for which it was provided,
part remaining here for the use of the
girls who stay with US, and part going to
Matamoras with the girls who were sent
there. The new school.house that so
many of your readers assisted in building
last year was needed anyway for the day
school independently Of the boarding de-