The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-05
a rALR ON LENTEN TIME.
Rev. a. Toomer Porter's Sermon a
Christ Church.


Christ Church.
Rev. A. Toomer Porter. rector of the
Church of the Holy Communion and Of the
Porter Academy in Charleston, preached
at Christ church yesteriaY. Rev Robb
White, who has been suffering for some
time with an affection Of the throat, was
not able to oificiate, but he and Rev. Stu
art Martin assisted Dr. Porter in the
services.
Dr. Porter preached an earnest and
practical sermon on Faith and Prayer,
which was closely listened to by the large
congregation. In speaking Of the lenten
season, he alluded to the fact that while
festivities themselves do not take place
during Lent very often the entire time is
occupied in preparing for some entertain
ment that will come of after the lenten
season.
Many of the congregation were under
the impression that the doctor had refer
ence TO the kirmess, but after service
when asked If such was the case, said he
had not heard of the kirmess taking place
after Easter, and he was speaking of all
entertainments generally that were ar
ranged and practiced during Lent.
DR.. Porter has been Identified with the
education Of boys for nearly TWEEN ty-seven
years. He began his work on October
%, 1867, and has since then instructed
over $500 boys. At first and for years the
school had no income. assistance being re-
ceived from various sources, which al
lowed him to keep up the noble work he
mad undertaken 4 few Of the boys paid
what they could and some are now pay
ing the full charge of tuition.
AT the grave of my eldest son." said
DR.. Porter, an influence which was ir-
resisuble, impressed me with the con
viction that grief for the dead must be
changed to conservation of my life for the
benefit of the living. The desolate and
hopeless condition of a large class of boys,
many of them companions of my dead
child, appeared to be the field in which
the work was to be DONE
The doctor tells an interesting story of
the manner in which he secured the
present site for his school
In 1872 he said, "the United States
government withdrew from Charles ton
and abandoned the arsenal. It was left
to go to ruin, and to be place whore
much evil might be done. The work had
grown so large and the appeals so numer-
Gus from the boys who had no means and
no schools to go to, that conceived the
idea OF trying to get the property,
which would afford ample room
and make it blessing rather than
nuisance. IL had been my good fortune to
save the life of a lieutenant in the United
States army, and I had taken long
journey to get him through the lines at
Raleigh, N. c., near the close of the war.
This bread cast upon the waters came
back after many days. BY it very many
influential friends at the north were
raised up, and through their aid the
United States arsenal in Charleston
was leased to the trustees by act of con-
gress approved by the President.
Gen. Sherman, then Secretary of War,
had all the munitions of war removed and
advised me to develop the property into
an educational institution. There was
great deal to do. Dormitories and dining
room, school house and hospital
and chapel, gymnasium and swim
ming pools weR constructed, and
upwards Of $4,000 were expended
on this property. Being counseled by
many in high official circles, an effort was
made to change the lease into q perma-
nent transfer, and this was done by act
of congress, with the consent of all the
officials and the President, IN 1889.