National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-15
FOR WORKS OF MERCY.
a Little Known But Actively Bench
cent Orpaniyntinn.

n hittie hnOWn nut actively Bench
cent Organization. .
A neatly attired and comely girl was
furnishing big brass plate on the door Of
24OS X street Saturday. She worked SO
well that in a little time the plate gave
forth brilliant luster. In STOPPING to pick
up piece of rag she gave passer-by a
chance to read upon the plate the legend
Blouse of Mercy" A pull at the door
bell was responded to by a lady dressed in
the habit Of rleigieuse. A word of well
come was given, and the visitor found him
self In few minutes within pleas
ant home rather than In ''home.n The
walls were white and clean; the floor neatly
stained, and an air Of comfort pervaded the
place. On the right Of the hallway, on the
first floor, is the chapel, and in rear of it
the Office. On tho opposite side are the
reception rooms. The upper floors are
used for sleeping apartments and for the
purposes OF the institution. Miss Mary G.
Talcott Is in charge. r1 t
In the spring Of 1888 committee an
pointed by the District branch OF the wo-
mans auxiliary to the Board Of Missions
met IN st. Johns p. Il. Church to consider
the propriety of undertaking some city mis-
sion work. TWAS ascertained that the great
est need in Washington was place of refuge
and q reformatory for outcasts and fallen
women. About 5000 was collected, and an
association Tor works OF mercy was formed.
The officers OF the board of managers for
the first year were as follows: President,
Mrs. Donald McNeall Fairfax; vice presi-
dent, Mrs. Samuel Cooper; secretary, Miss
q. A: Robertson; purser, Mrs. T.. Z. w.
Chubb.
The association then purchased s40S G
street from the heirs of the Cooley estate
for SIS, 500, $500 cash. May 10, 1884, the
house was consecrated. The house since
its opening has received 20 women and Is
infants; l2 adults and q children still re-
main.
The rule OF the house Is not strict.
Women are made to feel that II is home.
They are taught to be panstaling and ex-
act in everything they do. They rise at
$3.50 a. M, and the days routine is one of
work, instruction, recreation, and prayer.
Chapel service is held at night. The chap
lain makes an address on Friday nights.
Sewing and laundry work are the leading
features Of work done there. The inmates
are expected to stay six months, but no
limit is fixed.
The nursery department has done good
work, and suggestion has been made to
build cottage to accommodate the infants.
The report Of the treasurer. L. A. Bate
man, for the past year shows that q, col so
house is in charge of ladies who were
trained for this special work by the Clever
sisters In England and New York,
On Saturday night public meeting was
held at the Riggs House IN the interest of
the institution. A committee OF thirty was
appointed to raise money to meet the note
due. upon the property April l.. The fol-
lowing committee was appointed to solicit
aid from Congress- Judge McCammon,
Messrs. ]. n. Voorhees,, Harry Whitney,
and Charles S. Hill, Mrs. James +. Harvey,
Mrs. j. n. Voorhees,, Mrs. II. d. Hood and
Mrs. Senator IIawley.
The House of Mefcy is under tho control
Of all the Protestant Episcopal churches in
the District of Columbia. Miss 1olcott
stated that the institution was in need of
money, OF suitable furniture, beds, bed
ding. clothing, shoes, stockings, Sc. Many
merchants had kindly furnished such arti-
cles. The chapel wants an organ. At
present an old melodeon furnishes, the only
aid to singing. The following are the Off
GERS; President, Maj. Francis IL. Bates; sec
rotary, Seymour W. Tullock, and treasurer,
A. Il, Bateman.