Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-06

the school authorities and he is sent tw'
weeks into the country and taken upon e1
cursions for recreation.
Pupils are not retained in the institution
after IS years of age. By such time they
are supposed to have acquired trade o.
profession and are then apprenticed to
master of his trade but are still looked aftel
by an officer of the college, to see that they
are properly instructed and cared for; ano
if the treatment is not satisfactory they are
again taken back to the college un
til a suitable place can be found
Boys are leaving at the rate of 150 per year
| Upon quitting the institution they receive 9
| good trunk and not less than $75 worth o.
clothing. Several of PhiIadelphIa's most
prominent business men were educated al
this college. One of the finest buildings on
the ground is pointed out with just pride az
the work of all architect who was trained
at Girard College. Several of the male
teachers were former pupils here, but were
not employed until after some experiences
with the outside world.
LOST ON THE BATTLE FIELD.
Twenty-four boys that had been gradu-
ated from Girard lost their lives in the Re-
| bellion, and in memory OF these beautiful
and touching tribute has been erected
on the west side of the college.
| The design is an open temple within which
standing ''at rest" is the figure OF a soldier,
in white marble, iiie-size. The structure is
| of Ohio sandstone, upon granite base. It
| has four inscribed tablets Upon the front
are the words: Erected A. D. 1869 to
perpetuate and record the services of the
pupils of this college, who in the recent con-
test for the preservation of the American
Union, died that their country might live. !"
Upon the other sides are the names OF the
slain and the battles in which they ell and
upon the fourth side is an extract from the
will as follows: "And especially do de-
sire, that by every proper means, pure
attachment to our republican institutions,
and to the sacred rights of conscience, as
guaranteed by our happy constitutions,
shall be formed and fostered in the minds Of
the scholars"
The two most important holidays are the
25th of May, which is the anniversary of
their benefactor's birth, when friends of the
pupils and graduates from the school visit
the scenes of their boyhood to join in the
festivities of the day, which consist OF a
military parade, ball game and other sports.
rounded out by good dinner and good
time generally, and the second, "Mother's
Day." which occurs quarterly on the first
Tuesday in every third month.
SCENES ON MOTHERS DAY.
How very long must seem the time to some
of these inIants until Mothers Day, when
mother and sister will come, bringing news
of playmates at home. A glad sight it
must be to see mother and son, hand in
hand, walking around these beautiful
grounds, exchanging kisses and condolences
"A pleasure marred only by thought of the
kL ,r.k I'LL
ing shadows.
1t was near the dinner hour when we ar
rived at the college, so we had the pleasure
of seeing the boys march through the grounds
two by two into the cheerful dining room,
with seating capacity for 200 and every
seat occupied; while the remaining 400 were
dined at the buildings in which they sleep
and receive instruction. Upon being seated
every head was bowed in silent grace and
simultaneously lifted at the tap of a
bell. Then the dining began in earnest,
though the utmost decorum was maintained.
At the bakehouse we were told it took from
100 to 1000 loaves daily to satisfy these
hardy youngsters. A healthier lot it would
be hard to find, and one would have to draw
upon his imagination for occupants of the
infrmary and business for the resident doc
tors, dentists and nurses.
a KEN AhhAbbh CLAUSE OF THE
There is one clause in the will which be-
queathed all these home comforts and edu-
cational advantages to the fatherless, that
more than any other has excited prejudice
and occasioned comment. 1t is this: 81
enjoin and require that no ecclesiastic,
or minister of any sect what
soever shall ever hold or exercise any
station or duty whatever in said college,
nor shall any such person ever be admitted
for any purpose, or as a visitor, within the
premises appropriated to the purpose of said
college,"
The conclusion that has been most COM
monty jumped at in regard to this clause, |
has been that Mr.. Girard was an infdel, but |
We learn his father and mother were Roman
Catholics, that he was baptized in that
church and buried in the grounds o. the
Catholic Church, at the corner o. Sixth and
.851, when his remains were removed to the
college and placed in the marble sarco-
,hagus prepared for that atpurpose and placed
o the vestibule.
Mr.. Girard states in his will that
n making this restriction be does
lot wish to cast any reflection
N any sect or person; but since there was
uch a multitude Of sects and such diversity
4 opinion among them, he desired to keep
he tender minds OF the orphans free from |
he excitement which clashing doctrines
nd sectarian controversy are so apt to pro-
uce. Mr.. Girard also stated that his de-
ire was to teach ''the purest principles of
lorality, so that on their entrance into act
We lite they would, from inclination and |
abit, evince benevolence and industry,
dopting at the same time such religious
enets as their matured reason would enable
nem to prefer"
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION GIVEN.
Religious instruction is not neglected in
his college; but is given both in the school
pom and chapel. Twice each day officers
nd pupils repair to the chapel for worship.
he exercises consist Of singing. reading the
criptures and prayer. On Sunday there is
religious address delivered by the Presi-
ent or layman whom he may invite.
In accordance with the will, again, the
1ly punishment inflicted for misconduct
the forfeiture of pleasure and banish- :
ent from companionship. We did not see !
1yone who looked as if they ever needed or
ad been punished, been ill or been cross.
he system in its entirety seemed complete, :
1T the pity of it is that the father of it all ,
uld not see the fruit of his benevolence. :
as the aphorism has it, "Great men :
cate what is great, good men what is last =
g." Stephen Girard was both great and y
od. MEG.