The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-25
The Handsome Structure Formally Turned
Over 10 the Board CT Trustees.
Or. A. COKE SMITHS MASTERLY ADDRESS
The Decd Received on BehRif OF the
Board by Col. w. H. Taylor-An Ip-
specttOn of the Beautiful Building
A Description of Its Interior and e
Sketch OF the Donor


In Bramblefon Ward, stands one of the
most imposing structures to be found
in this section 1t is the Mary +. Bal
lentine Home for the Aged. erected by
Mr.. Thomas r. Ballentine as memorial
to his deceased wife. at a cost of about
100000. 1t was in this building yester-
day where 500 of NorfollIs leading resi-
dents heard an address which they will
never forget.
The building is 50x10o feet in size, and
contains four and n half stories. 1t is
built of pressed brick and is handsome
ly ornamented with terra Gotta and cop
per trimmings. 1t has the appearance
OF a handsome hotel. In the rear is an
Iron stairway for the use of servants,
and which may also be used az q fire
escape. 1t is n magnificent structure.
and will be lasting monument to the
donor anu the woman in whose name
II was erected. 1t will forever be an un-
denompational home. Mr.. Ballcntine
Will bear all of It's expenses during his
lifetime. and at his death he will endow
1t. 1t will prove great blessing to
many worthy people who will. as the
years so by, find shelter and rest there.
1t will always be controlled by trustees.
to whom Is left the duty Of deciding who
shall be admitted to II. These trustees
are Col. Walter II. Taylor, Col. George
TAFT. Mcssrs. Med. l.. Wrenn, Joseph
T. Allyn w. w. Vicar. G. w. Grandy
Gnndy and w. w. Vicar.
While the building has been finished
some time. II was only during the pres
ent week that the furniture has been
placed in position. ready for the dedi-
catory exercises. announced for yester-
day afternoon.
During the day the building was In
spected by hundreds of people many OF
them coming In carriages. The rain
seemingly had little effect in keeping
anyone away. The exercises were of a
public character. and were held in the
large general meeting room on the sec
ond floor. But this room would not hold
half Of the people who gathered To take
part In the simple programme prepared.
All of the adjoining rooms were crowded,
and the halls and stairways were pack
ed with people. ladies predominating
THE DEDICATION.
1t was just 4:l5 o'clock when Colonel
Walter X. Taylor called the assemhlage
TO order. The trustees were seated
around the speakers table in the north
east corner of the room and many min
isters occupied the front row of seats.
Among these ministers were Rev. w. J.
Young, ID. d.. Rev. J. J. Hall, d. D.,
Rev. j. r. Howerton, d. d., Rev. r. H
Bennett. Rev. II. II. Jones. and Rev. j.
Is. Merritt.
After a short but eloquent prayer by
Rev. DR.. A. Coke Smith that gentleman
began his dedicatory address. He said:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have assembled here formally to
set apart to its ministry of mercy and
comfort this Home for the Aged Ii is
fitting that we should pause for thought
on an occasion like this, and let 1t speak
10 us its message of instruction and ex
hortation. We have in this completed
building the fruitage of past cndeavcr
and the seeds of future results The
NINA or MIN 10 whose generosity this
institution owes its existence is filed
win memories of the past. possibly
more than with images of what NAV here
be accomplished in the future. With
just and grateful appreciation of the
character and influence of one who once
walked by his side, shared his sorrows
and his joys. encouraged him amidst
dificultles, supported him when de-
spondent. chided his failngs and nour-
lshed his virtues; whose gentle ministries
kept his heart tender amidst the hard
ening influences of sharp competition
and exacting labor; whose faithful life
forbade unbelief in God and goodness in
the heart of any who knew the sustain
ing power, which came to her prayerfuI
spirit; who cheered him TO high cndeavor
by setting before his eyes the worthy
aim which finds contamination in this
home-it is becoming that IL should
bear her name. The Mary F. Ballentine
Home for the Aged"
We may not with profane hands lift
the curtain which shuts In that sacredes,
OF all places on earth-the home circle
and drag out TO the gaze of the world
the scenes which We're once enacted and
which now fill the galleries of memory:
but may we not, without trespass saw
that before our words are spoken tha,
invoke the blessing of Almighty Cod
upon this building and the work II is in
tended to do in ministering To those for
whom He who is the All Father has
bespoken our tenderest regard and care.
before even brick was laid in It's CON
struction, the voice which is now heard
no more on earth laid before the eternal
Ihrone the desire of her pious heart. en-
uowed 1t while yet it was not except i'm
desire with the rich legacy OF her faith
ana prayers; and that in answer to those
prayers silently. but fervently. breathed
INTO the ear OF God. this building stands
complete? And not only so, but when
edversity came to him to whom she had
piighted her faith and into whose life
she had entered with that self-effacement
or which only woman is capable. II
was her cheerful voice that spoke word
that Inspired to courage-a voice that
had In 1t no Quayer Of despair because