Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-01-26
#listellaueolls &sading.
HICKORY GROVE ORPHANAGE.

Although an orphan is generally
defined as an individual who has been
left without parents, it does not neces-
sarily follow that an orphapage should
be without at least a father. Here is
case where the father is certainly In
evidence, for where there is now an
orphanage under good headway and
doing all that could be expected OF
such an institution, had it not been
for self-constituted father, in the per-
son of Jealous worker in the cause
of his Master, there would not, in this
instance, be anything to write about.
The father referred to is Rev. John p.
Knox, pastor of the Associated Re.
formed churches of Smyrna and Hick-
ory Grove, and the orphanage to
which we have reference, is shown in
the accompanying engraving.
The institution had its origin in the
religious newspapers. Just who start
ed the agitation, THE ENQUIRER does
not remember; but some few years
ago the subject was exhaustively dis
cussed in The Associate Reformed
Presbyterian, published at Due West,
S. c., and The Young Worker, then
published at Charlotte, N. c. but now
defunct. The desirability Of an or
phanage under the auspices of the
Associated Reformed denomination
was made very clear; but as the high
est court of the church-the synod
did not take the matter up, nothing
definitely seemed to be accomplished.
But, all the same, whether seeds were
planted, or .seeds that had already
been planted germinated, there was an
important result from the discussion
referred to.
Rev. J. P. Knox, after being con-
vinced of the necessity for au orphan
age, resolved that the way to get such
an institution established was simply
to establish it. At that time there
was for sale in Hickory Grove some
property which seemed to be suitable
for the purpose, and which, there
was reason to believe, could he
purchased at a reasonable figure.
Consulting with several of his church
members and a number of leading
citizens of the village, and being as
sured of financial backing, Mr.. Knox
raised subscriptions to the amount OF
$3.50, and then, without much ado
about the matter, he purchased the
property, had the deeds made to trus,
tees, and became individually respon-
sible for future payments. This was
while hesitating synod was still un.
decided as to what course it would
pursue in regard to the matter. AT
terward, Mr.. Knox went before syn
cd in behalf of the undertaking, and
got the semi-official endorsement oi
that body. But the orphanage had
already been opened on November 25,
1896, and was at that time in full
working order. The organization, as
completed, consisted of Rev. John P.
Knox, chairman of the board Mr.. j.
N. McDill, vice-chairman D. E. Fin
ley, Esq, attorney B. F. White,
secretary and treasurer; Rev. John
H. Simpson, superintendent, and Miss
M. Lois Simpson, matron.
At the present time, there are under
the care of the orphanage nine chill
dren-6ve girls and four boys. The
institution is supported entirely by the
good will of whomsoever sees fit to
contribute assistance. The manage
ment is thankful for whatever help il
can get from whatever source, and il
can be truly said that it needs help
and a great deal of it; but, at the
same time, it is fact that pretlier
example of determination and Chris
tian faith has seldom been witnessed.
Rev. Mr.. Knox and his co-workers al
Hickory Grove, do not mean that,
whatever may happen, their charges
shall, for moment, suffer the want OF
anything that is needful. When help
fails TO come from the outside as has
to some extent been the case, they
stand ready to make up deficiencies
out of their own private means.