Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-12-14

Second Annual Report of the Superin-
Innhcnt for the stntn of DnlnNYnre.

biN WpIh VI VIC NtSb NtlT. my COulhEt
would fail mo II dared compare the needs
with the actual work that has been accom-
pllshed. But when we remember that in
taking up this work, SO new to mUst of us,
we laid our burden ut the foot of the cross
trusting Him, who makes no mistakes to
lead us, the paths over which we have
passed seemed clearly opened to us. And
we take courage in the thought that We
have tried 1t least to faithfully follow
where he Master led.
At our last annual meeting ! tried as
best could, to set before you the need Of
an industrial school for girls This work
which you sOthoroughly endorsed, seemed
= gigantic undertaking. The awful barrier
Of prejudice against the unfortunate class
for which the school was intended was to
he broken down, and we felt that II was
Gods work, aud trusting in His power. we
were sure the way would open. The thought
soon came to our worthy president, Miss
Hllles, whose heart has been SO full OF this
work, 10 call to our assistance Mrs. j, X.
Barney OF Providence. II. l., whose %
years experience in this work gave us
utmost confidence In her ability 10 present
the subject to our people, We felt conf
dent that her words would carry great
weight with them and that she could stir
the hearts of our people as Ito one else
could. Surely we were not mistaken Our
'aolNa NNlI ihllF NlISs lDdTiltN u
services were secured In the early part of
the year, and owing 10 the admirable
planning of Miss Hilles, she was permitted
to address many large audiences OF the
most influential people of our State.
The result OF this series of addresses
was most encouraging. One whose whole
soul is bound up In this noble work and
with ST. much experience could not fail to
impress her hearers. There were those
WIN huI lpALuh T,, 4
undertaking, born only 10 die in few
short months, who were among the first To
come to the front, after hearing Mrs.
barney's convincing arguments, to pledge
US their support Unsolicited, aid came
from the most unexpected sources. We
who had felt SO unequal to this task,
noted with The greatest satisfaction, how
God had used this dear servant to set to
work the wonderful influences which
brought about such satisfactory results.
The doors that seemed barred aud boted
now stand open and we are permitted TO
see an uabroken chain of providences
which has led to the opening up OF our
much needed school for Maynard girls.
We were met at every turn with the
greatest encouragement, not the least OF
which was the patient and respectful hear.
ing our Legislature gave us, and afterward
such substantial aid in securing our school.
Our board OF managers was duly organ
lied, and it was not long until we felt war
ranted in appointing committee to secure
u house suited to our purpose. This was
soon accomplished, and what q pleasure
the committees appointed for that purpose,
found in planning for and furnishing the
house. Warm though the days, many the
meetings and much hard work to be done
yet the kindliest spirit prevailed through
i all. Kind friends helped with gifts, and
m
pleted. We had coy and home-likt
refuge for those who had been waiting to
be admitted. ! shall never forget what d
thrill OF pleasure ran through my soul as
| with our matron | welcomed to this home
on the 18th of May the first two girls com.
mltted to our care. These first two inmates
were sisters. aged IA and 10 years.
Two weeks before our school opened
they were taken from the vilest surround.
ings in state of intoxication. When they
came to us they had never been taught
howt to do anything. Untidy in appearance
rude in manners and caring little whal
became of them. II you were to step into
our home to-day you would find them i'm
\ proved in every way. More careful OF theil
personal appearance, capable of cooking &
nice plain meal, washing and ironing beau
tifully, learning to sew fairly well, and
better than all, learning to read Gods
| word and to pray.
A short time ago after poor, ignorant
willful girl who had been admitted to tn,
school had obstinately refused to pray
the younger OF these two girls said to her
| IF you won't pray for yourself will pra,
for you" and there on Bonded knees II
the side OF her bed she prayed for thi,
poor unfortunate girl who scarcely knew
the meaning of the word. This is th,
work that is being done In this school fol
girls.
One of the links in this chain OF provi.
dence was the coming TO us as matron
Mrs. Reynolds, who has had six years. ex
perience in the midnight Missionp 81
| Philadelphia. When | say she is den
Christian mother with all that these word
convey, you can readily understand VIVA
u prize she isto us, inexperienced US we are
Her daughter, u lovely, kind. sympathet
girl, Is her assistant. She has d wonderful
influence over the girls. They love an(
respect her, and it would have been hart
for us TO have found one more helpful t,
the inmates.
Since we opened our school there hay
been nine admitted. One little girl /;
years old, held as witness against he
father. The sheriff kindly gave her owe
to us that she might be taken care of in GU
home instead of sending her to Jail
where she would have been compelled I,
| 'hN4 AAA SbAlo VI companions
more than three months. Some OF GU
girls are az present at the hospital, wher
they will soon become mothers. AM
Just here let me speak q word for this in
stitution. There is no place where ,
nObler. kindlier work has been done thar
in this hospital. Those dear Christian
nurses have an opportunity that fey
others have OF welding Il beautiful an,
helpful influence over these unfortunat
| Hlrlg. and thpN hnVR mt faiinh fg,t
their opportunity.
An occurrence which | witnessed Their
only few days ago | will try to relate a
best ! can, although | realize that word
cannot convey the reality OF the sad scene
A few days after tho opening of our HON
we received letter from young girl ask
ing to be admitted. Her story was truly
with her letters. We felt that hers was n
ordinary case. Onr committee decided :
admit her. The day she arrived we foun
IL necessary to send her ut once to the hos
pltal, as ~ any time she might become
mother. | felt strangely drawn to lie
from the moment | saw her. The limo
cent, trustful expression of her face re
yealed Gully too plainly the cause OF lie
downfall Nneu ! visited her on the fol
lowing Sabbaih after she had been ad
mitted 10 the hospital, | asked her If he
parents knew where she was, With down
east eyes she replied that they did. WheI
was about u leave her she asked ME /
post q letter for her, which 1 did, an
which. proved to be to her mother
the first intimation of her duugl
ter's misfortune. The following Tue,
day was hastily Summoned 10 tb
hospital to meet her flasher and mother
1t would be impossible ivr me TO describ
to you the sorrow there witnessed. AS
was ushered into the ward found thi
poor Maynard girl who had so deceive
her parents ON her knees clasped /
her mothers breast, sobbing as thong
her heart would break, but the mother
sorrow was too deep for tears. AS
took her hand III mine | looked dow
npon IhnL heaying breast. | thnnrl