The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-05-25
Home FOR AGED WOMEN
Twenty-Sixth Anniversary Cele-
brated Yesterday-Thes
Exercises.

The twenty-sixth anniversary of the
istlome for Aged Women" on Bergen ave-
|gnue. corner of Fairview, was celebrated yes
terday afternoon. The large parlor and hall
were comfortably filed with the guests, who
\ brayed the storm to do honor to the oc-
| casion. They were cordially received by
| the managers, T.. d.. Booream, Mrs. G. A.
| Dewitt, Mrs. K. j. Sauzade, Mrs. Duane
| Searle, Mrs. R. g. Lyle, Mrs. CT. Shone,
Mrs. T. A. Dickinson, Miss Bailey and Miss
). e. Bunce.
On tho sofa of honor sat Rev. Cornelius
Brett, DR.. Paul D. Van Cleef, Rev. Mr..
| Wick, Rsv. N. P. Bruce Of Bayonne and
Rev. Mr.. Washer.
At a quarter past three DR.. Van Cleef,
who always presides at the anniversary ceie-
| brations, opened the exercises by requesting
| DIR. Brett TO read the Scriptures and to lead
in prayer. The audience then joined in sing
| ing How Firm q Foundation, " after which
DR.. Van Cleef made a few appropriate re-
marks, expressing the pleasure it gave him
to preside on such occasions.
The report of the absent secretary, Mrs.
Mary L. Williamson, was then read by Mrs.
Robert G.. Lyle. 1t stated that during the
past year the subscriptions a somewhat
decreased and that it was only by the strict
est economy that their obligations could be
met. The managers, however, carried the
institution free OF debt through q year OF
financial eulOaTTdS5Il6uL Inc IbpOtt LuoH-
toned also that the mortality among the
inmates had been much less than usual dur
ing the year, only one death being recorded.
The treasurer's report read by Mrs
Katharine g. Sauzade showed a balance on
handAof sgSS.6 "a.
Y saE REys MR.. BRUCE's ADDRESS.
~ The hrakspeaker called upon by DIR. Van
iCleef was the youthful looking Rev. N. P.
Bruce, who gave his reasons for believing
in the establishment of such homes. The
first was that some one connected with him
might need such a shelter someo day. The
second reason was scientific, paslng itself
upon the survival of the fttest. The third
was that we owe to old people a debt of
gratitude. He made several good points,
the best being hat young people nowadays
have a craze for antique things, but not Tor
old people.
Mrs. Ella Wheeler Smith of Madison ave-
nue. then sang In D rich contralto, Loves
Old Sweet Song"
Rev. Mr.. Wick, DIR. Van Cleef's able as
~sistant, was the next speaker. His remarks
were received with much applause. He said
that he saw M occasion for exhortation, but
thought rather that congratulations were in
order. He spoke of the many different
"homes' now established, remarkng that
they freed individuals from many anxious
burdens.
He told some laughable stories Of his sym
pathetic dealings with the ~peripatetics who
besieged him, giving his hearers some ex-
ceileut advice FOR the treatment Of tramps.
In conclusion, he spoke enthusiastically of
the noble work done by the Home for Aged
Women" asking all present to do their best
in such a cause. q
After Mrs. Smith sang a sweet Lullaby"
the Rev. DR.. Lowrie of the Emory Methodist
Church was called upon to address the audi
ence He spoke Of the reverent affection due
elderly people, of the love that increases with
their helplessness and of the happiness that
comes from providing a pleasant home, for
them. He remarked also that on the occa-
sions of his visits to the inmates of the
'Home" he found them delighted to talk of
the good old times" and the true old
friends" He told of the pleasure given him
by his ministrations to the aged inmates, and
Of his happiness in being able to cheer their
lot He said, in conclusion, that the ladies
in charge had provided a cheerful home
indeed, for the inmates, and were engaged
in a beautiful work.
Mrs. Smith, accompanied by Mrs. r. G..
Lyle, sang a thin d song sweetly, and the
audience wa S dismissed with the benediction
by the Rev. Mr.. Washer.
THE GUESTS ENTERTAINED.
They went only across the hall, however,
into the large dining-room which contained
a bounteous supply of Strawberries, creams,
cakes and fruits. The ladies in charge, Mrs.
Searle, Mrs. Lyle, Miss Bailey and others,
attended to the wants of their guests in a
truly hospitable fashion.
Those who wished were escorted through
the building and permitted to visit the in
mates. Thus the afternoon passed very
happily, and the managers felt that their
twenty-sixth anniversary had been wholly
successful.
DIR. Van Cleef read a letter from Gov.
George T. Werts, addressed to Mrs. G.. T.
Shone, regretting that On account Of his
executive duties he would not be able to be
present at the anniversary exercises.