The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-26
ORPHAN WORK.
\ Sketch of It's Early Beginnings in
North Carolina.
some other
CHARITY and Children.)

Before the Civil War, our State had
four classes Of people: Whites, reds.
free blacks and slaves. The whites were
generally able to take care of themselves
and make some provision for their chill
dren. The reds had been cruel and had
been cheated till they were sullen. Rev.
Humphrey preached seven years among
them, and many became pious Still but
little sympathy was felt for them. The
free blacks We're lazy and shiftless. The
slaves were made to work and generally
were kindly treated. Their owners found
it profitable to take care of the children.
So there was no manifest need Of
houses for orphans till the Civil War
made them numerous; but there was
no time for any special attention to
children.
When a company of orphans from
Mississippi gave entertainments in the
State much sympathy was excited.
Then came DIR. Deems, with marvellous
elOquence, asking for money to found
home for needy Confederate orphans.
Immense sums of such money as We
had were freely given. A building was
bought in Wilson. But before it could
be opened the Confederacy collapsed.
Then there was great confusion. Presi-
dent johnson decided to make treason
odous," and refused to pardon the sin
of being worth twenty thousand dollars.
A prominent citizen took the ground
that as property was held under the laws
of the State, and the State had by trea-
son forfeited its rights, so all the prop
erty belonged to the general govern.
ment. Then the bureau officers made
all sorts of decisions. Even the courts
decided that the property held for the
orphans Of dead Confederate soldiers
encouraged rebellion" and 'the ttle
was Void So DR.. Deems great work
was lost.
BY degrees the people saw and fest the
need of orphan-houses. In some .coun-
ties the commissioners instructed the
0verseers of the poor-houses to hind all
orphans to any who applied for them.
In this way some orphans fell into cruel
hands. In some cases administrators
cheated orphans out of their Fast cent.
This was not lawful, but how could
penniless orphan carry on= lawsuit
against man having abundant money?
Many illustrations could be given, but
one will answer the present purpose.
An Oxford Mason had occasion to buy
supplies from a Granville =Mason, who
refused to set any price, bur said: Take
what you want and pay fne what you
think fair price. / trust You to do
right" The Granville Mason died. and
at the funeral the Oxford Mason dined
with the widow and did what he could
to comfort her Soon afterwards, need
ing more supplies, he went to see the
widow and was astoniShed to find her
on her dying bed. ONO of the little or
phan girls was cooking and the other
was washing. The widow told her friend
that she had no money. to buy medicines.
The administrator had taken all her
money, and the mas who bought her
wheat would not pag her. That night
the Mason attended= Oxford Chapter
and stated the facts. His companions
said, Take enough Of your money to
supply the wants Sof that widow, and
notify the man whO bought the wheat
to make immediate payment, or we will
see him punished" The next day all
the wheat moneys and abundant supplies
were sent to the widow. The Grand
Lodge expelled ehe administrator and
made a liberal DONATION to the orphans
A man cannot attend a lodge without
being reminded of his duty to widows
and orphans.
The people gradually saw the need of
orphan-houses,s and that the Masons
could lead ira the work. The Grand
Lodge appointed committee with pow
or to open an Orphan Asylum in est.
Johns College," MS it was then called.
A majority of the committee considered
the proposition visionary, and it was
smothered in the committee.
In the Communication of 1872, Il prop
osition was made to sell st. Johns Col
lege and put the money in the treasury.
A substitute was offered to make it an
Orphan Asylum. Many entertained
doubts, but were willing to make the
experiment. The substitute was adopt
ed, and five hundred dollars apprOpra-
ted to begin the work. Very soon con-
tributions as well as orphans came in
freely, and the people rejoiced in the
success of the work.
A ripe watermelon is easy to cut.
Other benevolent societies and the re-
ligions denominations thought they
ought to share in such work So other
orphan-houses have been opened, and
all have prospered beyond the expecta-
tons Of their friends.
J. III. MILLS.