The record-union., 1896-06-24
FRIENDS OF THE HOMELESS.
Annual Meeting Of the Ladies Of the
Founding Home Society.
Officers Elected for the Ensuing Year
The Home Has Greatly I'm
proved During the Year.

The annual meeting of the Founding
Home Society was held IN the parior
of the home at 2 p. m Monday, for
the purpose of receiving reports OF the
officers of the institution and electing
officers for the ensuing year
Mrs. S. E. Clayton, President of the
Board of Managers, presided, and after
calling the meeting to order read the
annual address, as follows:
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
Another year has run its ceaseless
round and we have again come to-
sether to unite in thanksgiving to our
Heavenly Father for the success that
has crowned our efforts in the past, and
ask His guidance in the year upon
which we now have entered.
When this building was erected for
the children's home, the basement was
mot finished. That is now completed,
and also a schoolhouse built, so that we
have plenty of room. The children are
in school every day, improving their op-
portunity as well as any children in the
city, and their teacher is faithful in the
performance of her duty.
The majority of infants left on our
doorstep, whose birthdays nobody eel
ebrates, usually belong to the poorer
classes of society, as the wrappings
around them are sure evidence that
they come from the home of penury and
want; but this is not always so. Some
come dressed in the daintiest of gar
ments, with a tear-stained letter, be-
seeching special care for the forsaken
babe. What suggestions of tragedy are
here-suggestions of human frailty and
divine compassion.
A newspaper column is not the place
for discussing those social questions
that have perplexed the wisest heads
and noblest hearts ever since this sinful
world was in it's infancy; those saddest
problems that seem to thwart the plans
OF the Almighty in the great blessing
He gave US when He established the
family circle-the crowning work of
creation, after he made man in His own
image. The world generally turns a
deaf ear TO the child of misfortune,
whose only sin is that it is not wanted;
but should not its utter helplessness ap-
peal to the feelings of every lover of
humanity.
Twenty-Five years ago child was
found on the doorstep of the old Cath
Ollie Church, where the Postoffice now
stands. It was taken to the Orphan
Asylum by a policeman, but they did
not take children under years of age
1t was brought to me; I was asked to
set home for it. which [ did This
was my first experience. She was ten
derly cared for, and now has grown to
wOmanhood, but she has no idea
OF the kind Providence that has so
Sently guided her way through the un-
certainties Of life, and gave her the
blessings she now enjoys as a happy
wife and mother.
Since that time have found homes
for seventy-five. Many of them are
now old enough to convince any person
who knows them that an infant can be
nodded in character and manner like
those who educate them, as the potter
can mold the clay to his own liking be-
9ore he hardens it in the furnace.
When l was a young mother I prom
ased my Maker that if he would spare
ny life to care for my children until
they We're old enough to meet life's
responsibilities for themselves, I would
seek the homeless and friendless wher-
ever / found them, and make every ef-
1crt that was in my power to provide
them with the comforts of life | have
paid my VOW. have cared for many.
Il has been my desire for many years
to have Founding Home in this city.
ny ambition has been gratified. The
appearance Of the children here will
convince any one, with desire to speak
the truth, that they are as well provid-
cd for and as comfortable as any chill
dren could wish to be. I very much re-
gret to say many of the infants die
I have read the reports from homes
IN different parts Of the world, and I
find the same results everywhere.
There is no food that can be pre-
pared for a child that will support it as
well as the nourishment God gives the
mother when he places the infant in her
arms