The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-06-06
A Wonderful Work OF Faith.

CLINTON, May 2S.-On the 2Sth day of
May, 1874, just twenty years ago, the cor
ner-stone Of the first building of the
Thornwell Orphanage was laid in place.
It was time of small things with us |;
we had not dollar in the treasury and
had lust paid for a tract OF one hundred
and twenty-five acres on which the insti-
tuition is built. The building was beg gun
with cash credit Of fifty cents IN the
treasury, and that the gift Of an orphan
boy. On the 1st of October Of the year
following the building was completed
and the first family Of eight children, with
Mr.. and Mrs. Jacobs as president aud
matron, was installed in the unfinished
edifice now known as the Home OF
Peace" There was no encouragement
whatever to proceed to this work but the
Goodness of God. A debt of $1,000 was
over the building itself, which was
scarcely worth more than twice that sum.
Provisions were scarce and hard to get,
money scarcer still, and sometimes for
whole month not more than Sl2 or $l5
could be raised for the orphans.
Twenty years have past. On the 2Sth
of May Of this year the conversion Of
the new building, the infirmary, has just
been laid. AS we pass over the grounds
of the institution, neatly laid of and lined
with buildings and shaded with the
beautiful growth Of forest, we feel like
saying; "Ebenezer, hitherto the Lord
has helped us."
To-day we find that instead of one there
are five cottages, instead of eight family
of one hundred and thirty, including
teachers and matrons. The one little
room used for school work has developed
into neat, spacious and we'll furnished
seminary the one little dining table has
grown to sixteen and occupies Memorial
Hall, containing besides its ample store
rooms and kitchen; there is yet another
for the school of laundry work. The few
books then formed the library, which
now fills handsome little library build
ing. It has two stories, the books above,
and below q well lighted and ventilated
reading room, supplied with papers and
magazines. The engine putting in the
near neighborhood excites inquiry and
we find that the technical school for boys
80 long planned Is at work at last. The
boys are taught in carpentry and from
work in blacksmithing, printing and
binding, photography and telegraphy.
But at the back Of all stretches out the
gardens, the orchards, the farm, and the
busy lads are doing their best to help
themselves and their home.
All this was not done by any great or
special gift. Several times wealthy friends
have given literally, the greatest gift at
one time to the institution having been
g, 900, but for the most part all was done
by small gifts Of the many, coming like
the showers Of heaven often when least
expected. But the most wonderful Of all
is the way in which this institution is
supported. The endowment is SO insig-
nihcant that the income from it would
not support the houses for month.
There Is no wealthy backing; there is
not at this writing bread enough for to-
morrow. The mail has not yet been
brought in-on it depends the support Of
these more than one hundred children.
Who will send them their daily bread is
known only to the dear Lord himself.
So has it been for these many months, 80
will it bo for years to come. 1t is the old
story OF The widows barrel and the
widows cruise,
The gifts come from far and near and
30 the children there are children here
from Texas and from Michigan and from
Scotland, from Arkansas and from
Florida, from Georgia there are many of
them, and from many other States and
sections of our land. Away from all who
knew them, these are depending on the
dear Lord for their daily bread. And
they will not look in vain.-News and
Courier.