The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-01-14

when the work al Oak street was nrSL organized, it was declared to be the policy of the committee that none of the funds dscontributed for the work should be given in charity to the people we were to work among. This policy was strictly adhered to until the develop ment of the Mothers meeting, when it was voted that one-third of the cost of material for the use of the meeting would be paid by the committee. This was done until the amount required reached a point where it seemed larger than proper, when your committee de- cided that one-quarter of the cost was all it could pay for the material, which amount is at present being paid.
 There is a most pathetic side in the experience of those having charge of the meetings. All phases of character are to be met with, and to the close observer it is very apparent that there may be contentment in poverty; it is also apparent that in all the strata of human society, that the heart ache is the same and that the material surroundings do not alter the yearn- ing of the soul for some sympathetic ear into which it can pour it's plaint, some strong hand which it may clasp, and some power that can relieve them of the burden that is crushing out the life.
 On Friday evening the childrens' Bi- ble class hold g. meeting, These meet ings have an average attendance of about sixty. These children are able to answer questions concerning the bible that would puzzle many older and ex- perienced bible students Songs and amusements of various kinds are inter- spersed so that an interest in the meet ings is maintained.
 Saturday afternoon the childrens' temperance meeting is held. The chill dren come in great numbers, sometimes as high as 900,with an average of about l75. Many that attend this meeting att tend no other meeting at the hall, and it has been a wonder to your commit tee that the children should take such unabated interest in it.
 After the temperance meeting comes the penny savings bank half hour, af- ter which is held the children sewing school with an average attendance of about eighty. While the school Is in session some forty of those who come to the temperance meeting with their older friends who stay to the sewing school, are taken to another room and kept quiet and amused by one of the young girls of the mission, who leaves her work on Saturday afternoon and de- votes her time to these meetings, play Ing the piano for the music of the tenn perance meeting and taking care of the little ones as before mentioned. It is worthy of mention that the young girl is at the loss of her half day work, that she may do something for the mission home she loves, and it will also be of interest to you to know that one of the young ladies of our church taught this girl to play the pianoforte, and she has the satisfaction of seeing the results of her labor of love fin this case at least.
 The w. c. T. U. occupy the hall on Saturday evenings, and on New Years day gave lunch and varied entertain ment, keeping open house for all who chose to come.
 The Fur Kindergarten occupy one of our rooms during the forenoon of each week day and have done a valuable work the past year, and are a valuable adjunct to the work of the hall. Your committee have made no charge for rent, but have made price per week to 1 cover as we think the cost of heat and | janitor work. The reading room is kept open as usual and has it's uniform at tendance.
 By the foregoing it will be seen that there are few hours during the week that some kind of work is not in prog ress at the hall which has not, for it's object the leading of those who fre- quent there to a higher plane in life, and the teaching of their duties toward l God and their fellowmen.
 The financial condition of the work l may be stated as follows Our fiscal year closes April 30, and one year ago your committee estimated that there would | be about $4O0 in arrears at the close of | the last fiscal year. The event proved | the estimate to be very nearly correct. | We have curtailed expenses at all l points where we deemed it proper to | do so and not do violence to the work, | and it is our opinion that we shall | close this fiscal year with a small bal | ance to credit. This result will be | mainly due to the generosity of our people who made liberal extra contri- buttons to make our deficit good
 Thanking you all for your confidence and support in the past, we commend 1! the work to your prayerful thought l and liberal consideration in the future. |
 JOSEPH PORTER.
 Chairman.