Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-11-26

contained joyous throng Thursday
evening. In the gathering there were
many representative citizens. Seats on
the temporary platform were occupied
by the Hon. Leonard e. Wales, the Rev.
w. L. McEwan, Samuel Bancroft, Jr.,
William Ii. Swift, Ohio Rowland,
William c. Spruance, Esq, Thomas
McCorkle, Henry NJ. Ewes and s. Rod
mond Smith, Esq. The occasion was
the dedication of the society's beautiful
building. 1t was a delightful house
warming and could not have been more
suspicious. Judge Wales presided.
That mighty chorus of praise and
thanksgiving, the "Doxology," sang
with much sweetness, opened the pleas
ant exercises. Next, Mr.. McEwan
prayed, after which the Lords Prayer"
was repeated In concert
An address of much interest was de-
hvered by Judge Wales.
He said it gave him great pleasure to
bid the audience welcome and to congrnttl-
late the founders and managers OF the
club on the successful completion of its
work in erecting this little but pretty
building. The history of the club, he
stated, began two or three years ago in
very humble way. Some had good reason
TO know how it had progressed since.
Much had been said about its operations;
the many difficulties and obstacles 1t had
to meet and overcome; its numerous
trials and fluctuations. A volume
could not contain all that had been
said on these subjects--it would require
q whole library to record it. In his house
hold these matters caused such continued
and wearisome discussions that it became
necessary at times to call the previous
question and dispose. OF them by decided
vote. But they would up again and again
by kind of parliamentary manRuyre so
that there would be no escape from their
iteration except by flight. But Il good
cause is in the end its own best advocate,
and us time passed on and the objects of
the club came TO be known and understood
they were more and better appreciated and
attracted the interest and the substantial aid
of influential friends. The result is what
is now seen in this clubhouse. Under
takings like this, he declared, require con-
slant watchfulness and supervision and
this club, like all others of similar charac-
ter, will have to depend for some time
longer on the favor and help of those who
have already SO generously, contributed
to its success thus far. When he first knew
the club II was a verysmall and unpromis-
ing affair Its humble quarters were in
little room not much larger than boz
car, poorly furnished and dimly lighted.
They were cold in winter and hot in
summer. The roof leaked and the wind
entered where it listed The clubs next
home was an improvement over the first
one, in having larger room. with the
luxury of cellar; but the approaches were
covered with mud and water, or with deep
dust. With such enterprises the money
question is always a serious one, and he
remembered having been consulted by one
of the lady managers, Oh the operation of
the law of landlord and tenantry when it
was feared that on the occasion of dis
pute with their landlord he might distrain
on their piano, which had been bought on
the instalment plan and was the only
piece of furniture in their possession Of
any known value that could be
levied on. This Portia and he, after
turning over some books together,
came to the conclusion that Ii the
landlord attempted to carry OIL the must
cal instrument he would have more dis
tressful time than his tenants. Sub
sequently he was consulted on other ques-
tions, not necessary to mention now, in
relation to which his advice was not at
first very cheerfully accepted, it being u
very difficult thing to convince woman
and SOME men-that we must conform
to the law as it is, not to what we think it
ought to be. After struggling along with
inconvenient and uncomfortable surround
ings the idea struck some one-and for
tunately it struck in the right pace-to
make tho effort Of raising sufficient money
TO buy lot and build house for the per-
manent home of the club. The attempt
was a bold one, like courage born of
despair. 1t could but fail, il might succeed,
and the experiment was tried. The ladies
were animated by the noble spirit of that
Old Roman who said to his colleague on
the eve Of battle: 1--WE may not command
success, but we will do more we will
deserve it, They went timidly forth.
with script in hand, and pleaded
as only women can, plead who
are in earnest in righteous cause.
Their appeals met with favorable re-
Spouse, always with sympathy and en-.
couragement, il not with gifts of money,
and only those declined to subscribe who
had already given all they could spare to
other and equally worthy objects. What
these good women had accomplished could
now be seen in these well arranged apart
ments where boys and girls, young men
and young women and even children will
come together at stated times for amuse.
lnent, recreation and instruction. While
he gave the lady managers credit for this
admirable work he did not forget those
generous friends without whose aid The
club would have been confined to ole
quarters. TO the boys and young men wht
belong to the club he gave assurance Of til,
interest that older people take in theil
welfare. The managers of the clul
had provided them with means o
obtaining diversion for the mint
and exercise for the body-books. news
papers, magazines gymnasium, music an,
games. The club, he asserted is no NOR
charitable institution than a free schoo
is charity, or a free library, or FREE
church. Its privileges will not be restricte,
TO the use Oh persons of any particular re
llgious denomination. Its only creed i
that which y held by all Christian be
levers and which is contained in the in
junction of the Savior. "All things what
soever ye would that men should do /,
you, do We even so to them; for this is tn
law and the prophets.n In concluding h.
asked the members of the club Ia shoy
their appreciation Of the kind efforts o
the managers by cooperating with then
at a times and improving their oppor
tunities.
Mr.. McCorkle, the chairman of Tn
building committee, reported that tn
erection Of the building was commence,
last Thanksgiving and completed OF
September It'll. The committee, h
said, had inspected all the materials an,
superintendent the erection. To Presi
dent MeEwan of the board of trustees
the legal custodian, be presented tn
keys of the building. The presentation
and acceptance of the keys were accom-
panied by appropriate ceremonies.
Treasurer Rowland read the follow
ing financial statement:
RECEIPTS.
subscriptions for purchase of lot
and erection Of building....... S6,1251
Interest on subscriptions. 1861
borrowed. ...........,........... 10000
Total receipts. ................. s,l42O
EXPENDITURES.
Lot az nnn m