The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-02-23
METHODIST HOME.
Dedication Of the Finch Orphan
age at FruitVale.
Large Number of Prominent Church People
Attended the Exercises Occasion
for Rejoicing.

The Methodists Of California opened
their first orphan asylum yesterday, and
the occasion was one of great rejoicing.
Dr. d. 3. Finch of Oakland is the chief
donor, and the gift of splendid site at
Fruityale. Alameda County, came in the
form Of a memorial to his son. who died
several years ago. 1t was DR.. Finchs in
tention to found theological school, bu: he
was dissuaded from this course by Bishop
Fowler, Rev. DR.. Ollie and others, who be-
lieyed that the Methodist people were sadly
in need Of a home where orphan children
might be cared for and educated.
The site comprises a tract of six fertile
acres. situated on hill, from which an ex-
eellent view can be obtained Of the sur
rounding country. The buildings are not
OF the best for an institution of this charac-
ter, the main one being a one-story cottage
of ten rooms; but it is proposed in the near
future to erect handsome and cOmmOdiOUS
structure, which shall serve as a home for
the little ones for many years to come.
A LAND DONATION OF $4,000.
The land alone is valued at $4,000, and
constitutes splendid gift for most worthy
charity. At the present time ten children
are being cared for here, and there are
many more TO come as soon as they can be
accommodated. Since October the various
Methodist churches of the State have added
S1645 80 to DR.. FfnChe's gilt, and of this
amount S1301 50 has been expended in I'M
proving the grounds. etc, leaving a cash
balance on hand of 1914 IS.
About 300 people attended the dedicat0ry
exercises yesterday afternoon, nearly all Of
the prominent Methodist clergymen of the
State being in attendance. The exercises
opened with an anthem by selected choir
under the direction Of c. E. LLOYD. aud
affpT q hV 0T A n EiShar Dsr-
Robert Bentley, D. d., President OF the Board
of Managers, delivered the Introductory adj
dress. He spoke at length of Dr.. Finch's
magnificent donation, and Of the generous
response from people OF all denominations
when aid was asked in order that the pro-
ject might be carried to its contamination.
NOT A SHELTER BUT A HONE.
1--WE want" said he, ito make this insti-
tuition not merely a shelter, but n home
where the little ones may be tenderly cared
for. Our orphanage has been adopted by
the annual conference. our people have
given generously and we commence under
very favorable auspices" DR.. Bentley was
followed by Rev. +. McClish, DID, OF San
Francco. DR.. f. +. Jewell of San Jose. and
Drs. F. ID. Bovard, L. r. Ollie, a. y. Fisher,
II. Is. Heacock and others Of Oakland.
Bishop c. II. Fowler delivered the deGica-
tory address, in which he referred prjm-
arily to the history of the Methodist ChuFen,
and incidentally to the founding Of an asy-
lum for orphans. The exercises closed
with a poem written for the occasion by
Mrs. Blanche Walkerley, and The usual d0X-
oogy ana benediction The Directors Of
the new home are as follows:
Rev. Robert Bentley, President; Rev. +. r.
Ollie, Seer tary; Rev Ii. B. HeacocK. Treas
urer; Managing BOard-The NeSdamPs {. a.
Fowler, O. s. Orriek II. G. BlaiSdei. W. r. CGH
S. V. Leecb, VI. Johns. f. II. Bentley A. NJ. Holt
T. II. Woodward, b. NJ Walkrr, c. n. Holt, G..
M Goodall, ]; O; Lewis, r. Y. Watt, g. Nj
Wattersou, d. B. Finch, Mabel UTmy.