Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-02-01
THE ANNuAL nEPoRT.
The Condition of the Fort Worth Benevo-


lent Home.
The annual report of the Fort Worth
Benevolent home has been issued and is as
follows:
To the President and Board OF Trustees OF the
Fort Worth Benevolent Home.
1t is true the beginning of year is q
mile stone Of time, and we lear. from it
how rapidly the years creep on; thus 1891
has passed so rapidly that the echo of our
last annual report seems re-echoed in this
OF the present The year has had its sue
ccsSes and failures like other years. but
thus gradually, not by 'leapS and bounds"
but slowly and surely. has the work in our
home progressed and developed in its
methods and in its aims
1t would be almost impossible to t6bulate
completely the results which have accrued
through the divine blessing upon this home
during the past year, but we can recall
records Of suffering relieved, Of rescues
from bodily restitution, from moral peril,
from vile and degrading environments, OF
innocence protected and in every instance,
d child sheltered within this home has had
its life transferred from the loss TO the
profit side of the social ledger. Within
this home has the orphan and half orphaned
child been permitted to sing '9IOme, Sweet
Home in many instances Tor the fist time.
The mind has been trained and the willing
hands taught some of the industrial arts
which shall render the clements of strength
rather than OF weakness in the body polite
as they march TO take their places in the in
uustrial army called society. The industries
of the year 1892, however, must occupy a
more prominent and extensive part in the
daily life Of this institution. More and
more DO l recognize the necessity of teach
ing our boys and girls the great art of
making trained use Of their hands.
Domestic training, sewing, etc, IS I'M
parted TO our girls in limited way but for
the boys we require, in order to give them
the craftsmanship they need, trade shops,
and for both boys and girls, special masters.
The need and benefits Of industrial school
ing are making rapid ascents. Our Leading
educators are considering the ACCESSIBILITY
of It's following closely IN the line of work
with our free public school system. Il IS
beginning TO be understood that this indus
trial training should be part of our youths
elementary education if they are to be fitted
10 keep up with the changes of society and
take care of themselves. How necessary
then that it should be considered the one
great object in our charitable institutions.
It requires but combined effort on the
part of this board Of trustees to increase
the finances sufficient to extend so impOr-
taut q branch Of our institution and make it
what it should be-the pride of our city.
Our school is one Of marked progress,
due to the thorough and efficient training
of the teacher, Miss Knight. Three OF our
girls passed their examination and entered
the sixth grade at the beginning of the
school year. This step inspired the rest
with new zeal, and we are confident that
the close Of the present school year will
show = better record over any former term.
Considerable attention is paid TO music,
both instrumental ana vocal, and the inhu-
euce of musical training is very marked in
It's effects upon even the dUllest and most
backward A few with exceptionally
T11H
ward. One girl has displayed 4 talent for
art, and we are making this a special sub
jeCJ for her
The religious and moral training of our
children IS regarded as Of the 1irst i'm
portance The child with inherited capaci-
ties for evil, the forces of which are diff
cult TO estimate and allow for, we find,
without one exc option, the timely influence
Of Christian knowledge will UranSfgure
their whole being.
The trldaynight prayer-meeting IS con-
Quoted by the children, one Of the number
taking charge of the exercises and during
the year there has not been q failure Of this
evening meeting. When pleasant, the
home is in attendance at Sunday-mOrning
worship, taking each church in regular or
der. Our Sunday-schOOl has signal
blessing from God most remarkable when
we consider the interest Of our superin-
tendent and teachers. This 3 O'Clock service
the whole week to the children. Perfect
lessons, good singing, mingled with earnest
prayers, make the place and hour hallOwcd.
Mr. George Mes, our efficient super
iltendeuU is ably assisted by the following
teachers: Mr.. r. Il. Sellers, Mr.. Herbert
Post, Mr.. Ward and Miss Myrtle Rouse.
To Mrs French. the matron, is due al
the credit for the well prepared Sunday
service. She has now entered upon the
third year as matron, and during ali this
time she has worked with untiriBg zeal ad-
Vancing every interest Of those entrusted
10 her care. Attending to the many duties
which require her attention through Ethe
day, and never forgetfuI Of the chapel hour,
where every night the spirit Of prayer is
intoxicated and the habit Of daily prayer en-
joined, whilst reverence for divine things
and love for the word Of God are carefully
instilied into the minds of these children.
The Sunday lesson is there prepared, sweet
songs sung, and from those evening services
comes q halo Of blessings. This constant
work, however, without a day of quiet is a
strain upon her nervous system, which l
very much fear, will ultimately impair her
health and compel her TO withdraw from
the home, which, l fear, would be great
hindrance to its prosperous condition, and
trust the finances may be SO arranged that
n person can be employed to take charge Of
the clothing department, which would
afford her great relief
The financial condition of the home is
limited at the present time, as the treas
urer's report will show, therefore it is
needless for me to urge III awakening TO
the question of finances. As this inStitu-
iion is wholly dependent upon the continued
and voluntary generosity Of our people l
feel confident they will need but reminder
when we will receive as ready response
Rs was given on July Il last, when the fol-
lowing named gentleman responded hber-