Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-02-01
Distribution ola Staunton Box in the
Indian Territory.


We noticed at the time a box sent by til
little Helping Hands, of the First Pres
byterian church to missionary in lndial
Territory for the children there. We nov
give letter describing it's reception there
1t will be interesting reading for boil
grown people and children:
i DURANT, I. T., Dec. Is, '94.
Mrs. W, A. McCue, Staunton, Va.
i Dear Mdm ~ our kind letter of 4tf
inst, was duly received. The box came
safely few days later.
I have delayed writing until tonight
partly for want of time, but chiefly thai
l might give you some account of the hap
piness caused by your gifts. I know that yor
will read my letter to the dear little ones
of the 'sHelping Hands, rand also let it be
read to Mrs. Fraser's Society of boys
Tell them that our school and orphan work
here is only in its infancy. We have en-
rolled more than 100 pupils (boys and girls
Some of them pay their own way. About
80 are orphans or children of extremely
poor parents.
We have no home for our orphans as yet
They are living with different families in
town and near town. There are very many
within reach of us for whom no one is car
ing as yet; and for whom we cannot pro-
vide until DIR. Craig gets the money to build
our Orphans Home. No doubt quite
number Of those for whom no responsible
person is caring, will die of cold and want,
and the deadly pneumonia which prevails
every winter among them. The little
plank and log huts in which these poor
people live afford very little protection
from the winter rains.
If all our orphans were in one home we
could distribute box of clothes the very
day Of its reception; but as it is we have to
exercise great care lest we give offense.
To-day we made, as we believe, a very
judcious gift Of two suits. How wish
that all who helped to send these nice
clothes could have witnessed two scenes
which were before US to-day. 1.-The day
was dark and cold and dreary." It rained,
oh so hard all the forenoon ! AS soon as 1
could 60 out after dinner, went to the
home of a very poor widow. A frail, sick
ly woman she is, with five children. Her
two little boys, Homer and Wiley, ten and
twelve years old, were needy and half clad
and aUet and cold. Can your little boys in
Staunton imagine how these two boys look
ed with only parts of their naked legs COW
cred and with old pieces Of shoes on Then
you will understand the vivid glow of joy
all over their faces when they got over to
my home, and Mrs. :M0seley was fitting
them up with good clothes. One said,
''Oh, are we to have those (them) good
close ?" The other said, s'Just spose
mamma had tried to buy EN- She could It
done it ~ n "Aint them people that
sent these things, good!" "Try on this
shoe, and see if it will fit you, if so you
can have it, Tug, tug !)-"Hit's on F!
Don't you see ken wear it !" Poor little
boys they have no father to buy them
clothing and food They have no father
whom they can run to meet as he returns
in the evening. They have no father to
help mother play ''Santa Claus" but the
kindness shown by the Helping Hands and
boys will 60 far towards making amends.
tried to teach them to look up to the
Father of the fatherless; but they looked
most affectionately to the earthly givers.
No doubt the other suits will confer equal
pleasure and good. May the precious
promises to those who give for Christ s
sake be abundantly fulfilled to you all. If
you have no objection, I would like this
letter published in the VINDICAToR, Il
think this is your city paper), and then
copied into the Central Presbyterian and
Christian Observer. II the good people Of
the States knew how many poor, poor chill
dren ''full bloods'' and half breeds" die
every winter from cold and want they
would enable DR.. Craig to build Home
at once.
Praying God s covenant blessing on us
all,
am sincerely
r. X, MOSELEY,