The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-10-17
FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM.
Annual Reports and Election OF
Officers.

The annual meeting of the Female Orphan
Asylum was held at the house yesterday af-
ternoon. The following are the reports and
the officers elected:
MANAGER's REPORT.
We come to you at this annual meeting
with con yratulations. The health Of our
household Of children during the passing
months, and the increased comfort Of the
Home, have amply justified the large expen-
diture OF the previous year for repairs and
alterations. The slight but frequent illness,
pointing from their character, TO some
defect in our sanitary arrangements. which
alarmed us during the winter OF 1867, have
entirely disappeared since these changes
have been made. The kind responses Of
various friends to our request for aid to meet
these outlays, strengthens us In the faith
that this old society still holds its place in
the hearts of the people Of Portland, and
shows us that we are in no danger Of giving
utterance to the sad words Of a sister asyl-
um, which called itself forgotten
charity"
Our treasurer's report, which accompanies
this, will give you an exact account OF our
present financial condition, and the addition
to our permanent fund, which however you
will note does not give much increase Of in
come. The deficit Of income to meet expen-
dfuIes dn5nishes - ample opportunity Tor
gifts during the coming year confer upon US
the pleasant Office of returning thanks.
From October. 1887, to October, 1888, we
received into the asylum, twelve children;
eight have left us; six Of these have been
placed in homes, one has been transferred to
the Girls Industrial School, and one has
been returned to relatives. We have at
are some very lovely children. One could
hardly find prettier picture than the babies
taking their morning nap. 1t Is charming
too to look at all OF them at night. when
tucked up in their little beds, they sleep the
sweet sleep Of childhood. With the pathetic
phans who have no kin to watch over them,
there rises also deep thanksgiving that such
shelter has been provided.
We return hearty thanks to all who by
their various ministrations and gifts, have
enabled us to make this institution more
like a pleasant private home, and TO all who
have given our children glimpse Of outside
life, by kind Invitations to picnics, entertain
ments, concerts, etc. The benefits con-
ferred in this way are manifold.
The internal management Of the house con-
tinues to be very acceptable. Only one
change has taken place; the assistant mat
ron having resigned; her successor proves
by the satisfactory manner In which she per-
forms her new duties, the wisdom Of our
choice.
We think we may call the past year pros.
porous one, and yet our Joy over the well be-
ing of our Home, Is mingled with personal
sadness. Another OIL our valued managers,
Mrs. Charles M. Plummer has died. She
was person Of rare qualities, whose kind
ness Of heart took visible form IN thoughtful
lovely deeds. One Of the ways by which she
showed her interest in the orphans was by
sending her carriage for the invalid children,
that they might enjoy the air and sunshine,
and see the outward world. But her fine
nature was only freely manifest to "The
Father who seeth in secret" The left hand
often knew not. what the right hand had ac-
complished. The passing months do not
bring forgetfulness Of such a woman, but
deeper appreciation of all that has been lost,
in losing her whose charity was so broad.
and wise and tender, that she always Enew
when, and what, and how to give.
HToday closes our Goth year. In entering
on new year may we not ask Of our mem
bers an active interest In our work? Give
us little more Of your personal influence,
and we shall see our beloved institution
grow and thrive.
Respectfully submitted,
In behalf OF the managers,
). B. FARMER, Pres.
TREAsURERs REPORT.
TO the President and Managers Of the Female
Orphan Asyittns Of Portland
Ladies-I beg to hand YOU my statement for the
anhf x.,ifn Ca, ,l.ar II