The morning news., 1889-03-04
ST. JOSEPH'S MALE ORPHANAGE
WASHINGTON, GEORGIA.
The Twelfth Annual Report and
Financial Statement From Feb. l,
1889, to Feb. l, 1889.


Rt. ReU. Thomas 4. Becker, D. d., SaUdrs-
nah, Ga.
Rr REV. AND DEAR B1sHoP-In submitting
| this, my Twelfth and last Annual Report, to you
| and the benefactors of the Male Orphanage, it
| affords me great pleasure to say that all the
| good and encouraging accounts given of it in
| former reports can be truthfully repeated here.
Financially, the past year has been one of the
most prosperous in the history of the Insttu-
| ton; as the Financial Statement shows
| larger amount in the treasury than ever be-
| fore
The healthfulness of the inmates, as usual,
has been very good. One death occurred
Johnnie Meehan of Atlanta, who died of con
sumption-his father and mother having died
of the same disease Many of the children are
delicate and sickly when received and it is re-
markable how soon they grow well and strong.
In the thirteen years during which the Orphan
age has been located here, only four deaths
have occurred out of an aggregate number OF
800 boys, and they died of chronic troubles with
which they were afflicted when admitted. This
record shows how judiciOusly and tenderly the
health of the children is looked after by the
devoted Sisters.
The moral conduct of the boys has always
been satisfactory, past reports show. If any
exception is TO be made This year it isein favor
of the boys for their un varying good conduct
have received no reports Of insub0rdination
or disrespect, and in no case have l found it
necessary to administer corporal punishment; I;
of course, the boys are boys and as such re-
quire constant care and watc1tulness; but the
Sisters in charge know well how to secure re-
The good Sisters, of course, do their work pure.
ly for the love of God and their neIghbor with
the sole desire of drawing the dear orphans
nearer to God, and instillihg into their Young
hearts motives of love for the sweet religion of
Christ which alone can produce such examples
of sefGacrifce and devotion.
A Sodality of St. Joseph is formed of the
older boys, and one of the Holy Infants for the
younger ones Through the kindness of friends
they are provided with suitable banners and
regalia, which they use from time to time in re-
With regard to the schools, they speak for
themselves. The large lmber of visitors at
the public examinations held in June can testify
to the proficiency of the boys in their various
studies
The Primary Classes were examined on the
evening of June 26, from to5 o'clock, and the
the 27th from to 12:31 O'Clock Visitors
were unanimous in their expressions of delight
at the bright and happy faces of the boys, as
well as at their correct and ready answers, and
declared them more than match for older
boys Of other schools. The studies of the Pri-
mary Glasses are those common to that grade
while those of the Grammar Grade, besides the
usual reading, writing and spelling include
Geography, United States History, Grammar
Arithmetic, Algebra and Natural Philosophy
Vocal Music, Map and Free-hand Drawing are
also taught. Arrangements have recently been
made tor teaching telegraphy practically, and
several of the boys are now receiving iustruc-
tions. The honors offered as an incentive to
study were awarded as follows: First honor
Joseph Faughner OF Macon; second honor, gold
medal for First Scholarship, to Master Charlie
Moran of Atlanta; third honor, gold medal,
Christian Doctrine, TO Master Frank Nc
Intyre of Savannah; fourth honor,
gold medal for Second Scholarship, TO
Master Eddie Havens of Macon; ;ififth honor sill
YER medal for Catechism, TO Master vii ie
Sheron of Augusta; sixth nonor, silver medal
for drawing, TO Master Johnnie Brenner of Sa-
vannah; book premiums and pictures were
awarded to other boys acc 3rjing TO merit OF
a schools a nd ma
aged without awarding medals aud books, but,
as it is often charged, aud sometimes truth
fully, that orphan asylums are places where
poor helpless children are huddled together, and
barely fed and clothed with little or no atten-
tion paid to their education and where ef-
fort is made to make them feel that the world
has honors and prizes in store for them, if they
try to secure them, as well as for children
blessed with parents and homes, ] thought IL
would be well 10 try TO provide model S :hool
for the orphan boys intrusted to my care.
Thanks to the cooperation Of the Sisters in
charge, and the generosity of the benefactors,
results show the success obtained
would again call attention to the list OF
lady collectors and the amounts opposite their
names in the Financial Statement. These gem
erous and selfsacrificing women deserve the
highest praise for what they Have done toward
the maintenance Of this great ch1rty. Most of
them have spared neither time nor labor TO
make their collections regularly each month.
thereby doing much TO lignten the labors and
responsible ties of others on whom the orphans
have greater claims. They cert linly deserve
we'll Of the orphans and their friends. The boys !
here have been taught TO love these devoted
women, and to offer their grateful prayers TO
God that he may bestow his choicest blessings
on them here and hereafter. | most sincerely
tn ank each and all of them for the great and
constant help they have given me- and viii
unite my prayers TO those of the orphans that
they may be- blessed, as God alone can bless, for
time and eternity.
The ten Sisters Of 81. Joseph in charge OF the
domestic affairs have, as heretofore, been
most devoted to their respective duties, accom-
plishing wonders in making your orphan boys
the rshtest, happiest and best lot OF boys TO be
found anywhere Surely the Saviour, who does
not let the giving Of cup OF cold water, In his
name, go unrewarded has grand surprise OF
Joy and gadness in store for these devoted re-
ligious
Christmas, thanks to the foresight of the
Sisters and generosity OF benefactors, was made
a most happy day. Each and every boy was
made the recipient Of one or more appropriate
gifts. and a grand Christmas dinner was pro-
vdsd for them.
The donors to the Christmas festivities will be
sufficiently thanked when they are assured that
they succeeded in making the Christmas Of 1888
a memorable one in the annals Of ST. Joseph's
Male Orphanage
The farm OF sixty-four acres has been worked
TO the best advantage. A large portion Of II IL