The age-herald., 1898-07-08
CORNER STONE OF
 THE MERCY HOME Laid Yesterday Afternoon Before a Large
 Assembly. I'M PRESSIVE CEREMONIES Conducted by ReY. John G. Murray Of
 Church of the Advent. ADDRESS BY MAYOR F. V. EVANS The Handsome New Structure Will Stand as a Monument to the Charity of the No
 bIe Women in Charge of
 the Institution,

The cornerstone of the new Mercy Home building, which is in course of construction on the corner of Eleventh avenue and Twenty-second street, North, was laid yes terday afternoon, with beautiful and im- posing ceremonies.
 It was the occasion for an outpouring of the friends and promoters of the institution, who have during the past six years watch ed 1t grow from mere suggestion to the realization of their fondest hopes-a home for the homeless, haven for the unpro- tected the needy the helpless and the un- fortunate.
 Long before o'clock the hour set for the exercises, people began to gather, and when the assembly was called to order the pie turesque slope on which the building is sit uated was filled with people.
 A platform had been erected around the southeast corner of the building, on which were seated the noble women who have contributed so largely to the success of the institution, the participants in the exercises and the sixteen little inmates of the pres ent home, in charge of Mrs. Ramsey, the efficient matron
 The cornerstone had been placed almost in position, which rested a tin box con- taining the documents which were to be placed in the stone. The stone bears the following inscriptions:
 THE MERCY HOME
 FOUNDED BY THE
 w. c. T. U.
 ERECTED A. D. 1S9S
 The music was furnished by a small or gan, presided over by one of the older in- mates of the home, and cornet accompanl- ment by Compton Smith
 The rough platform was neatly decorated With flowers and evergreen, while the na- tional colors were prominently displayed.
 The exercises were opened with music the entire assembly singing the beautiful hymn, Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow"
 pr. Murray's Remarks
 Rev. John G. Murray, who acted as master of ceremonies, made the following introductory remarks preparatory to lay ing the corner stone. He said:
 My Dear Friends:
 The wisest man the world has ever known declares that lifes sublimest pur- pose includes in it's accomplishment con- sideration of "the cause of the poor and needy"
 Among the last words of the Divine Son of God here upon earth were those decar- ative of the fact that in the person of the poor and needy we would have Him with us always.
 The ever present will of the Father in Heaven is that the poor and needy of His children upon earth shall be cared for by those whom He blesses with means for that purpose. "Pure religion and undecided before God and the Father is this. To visit the faherless and widows in their aff1iction'-this very exercise being of such nature and so n accord with Gods will that it will enable men Ito keep them selves unspotted from the world.'
 And the wisdom Of tbn will nf od corning the care of the poor, the needy the helpless, the fatherless and the unfor- tunate in the world is affirmed by the &C., tual, practical experience of human life. Obedience to the mandate of that will is suggested by expediency: is dictated by judgment; is commanded by conscience.
 In all generations and climes where men have beheld ''the true Light which lghteth every man that cometh into the word,' this expressed will of God is not only recognized in thought and theory but is also ever exemplifed in deed and fact. And here today in the meridian fulness of that Light, in this city of temples of jus tice, synagogues of the law and churches of the Gospel-in the presence of God and this company of faithful people, compris- ing earnest, pious women and brave, loyal men--we are now assembled to lay the corner stone of a "Mercy Home" to be used for the rescure of the fallen and the restoration of the lost for the care and preservation or the IalnerleSS anu tIlS motherless; for the general amelioration and salvation of man; for the present honor and the eternal glory of God. Let us in nowise doubt, my friends, that the God of fathers and our God-the Father of the fatherless and the Husband of the husbandless-will favorably con- slider. approve and bless our righteous un- | dertaking. For which consideration, ap- proval and blessing we will now beseech | Him in prayer, led by the Rev. Dr. Read. of avenue M. E. church. re- sponded and offered fervant prayer in be- | half of the home and its objects. pr. Murray then read scriptural selections l from Matthewsxxv, 31-46; Mark ix, 3S-37; St. | John viii, B to iX, Il. The next number was the singing of the | hymn "Jesus Loves Me- by the little in- mates of the home. l
 Mayor Frank V. Evans Mayor Frank V. Evans was then intro- | duced by Dr. Murray, and said in part:
 My Friends and Ladies and Gentlemen | The invitation which called me here this | afternoon especially stipulated that I was | not expected to deliver lengthy address, | but to give some expression of the attitude | of the present administration of the city | towards this institution. Be- | sides it needs no voice like mine no speak, | CTS to inspire you in this grand work. You have before you a beautiful scene, these little children with smiling faces l who are inmates of this institution appeals | to you stronger than words, No city on this continent is more in need | of such an institution than is Birmingham; not only this administration, but it's pre- | decessors have always responded to the l call of the noble women who have this | work in charge, not single vote has been l cast against any measure in the interest l of the Mercy Home We will do all we l can to aid in the good work. This insti- l tntiOn will become a part Of the city and l I am pleased to see the work progress The administrati ton is in hearty sympathy l with 1t and stands ready to do all in it's | power to advance the work. Rufus N. Rhodes who was to have de- | livered an address, was present. but on