Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1899-07-09
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y A Preacher
y Among the People. =
AT THE CHILDRDN's HOME,


Home presented cheering and invit-
ing aspect. Aside from the hum of dis
tant voices, sharply punctured now
and then by childs ringing laugh,
the place was rendered doubly attrac-
tive by the restful and refreshing
quiet that marked the hour OF my ar
rival Ailghting from the carriage
and passing between two of the build
ings, / came upon the neatly kept
play ground where most interesting
scene presented itself to view, Sep
arated into little groups and under the
watchful eyes of those having them in
charge, the children were enjoying the
afternoon. Some were swinging,
some were playing ball, some were
tidying up the play house hard by,
while Others stretched upon the grass,
seemed to be sharing the repose that
characterized all nature that day.
Contentment was pictured upon every
face, and peace reigned supreme.
From the play ground was directed
to the sleeping apartment where the
little beds with their snow white
spreads suggested nights as comfort
able, and dreams as pleasant as they
could possibly be made for the little
ones dependent upon other than low
ing mothers hands to arrange their
pillows and tuck the covering about
them before closing their baby eyes in
sleep.
A few minutes later the supper bell
rang, and l was invited to the dining
room to see the children take their
places. Their entrance into the room
and seating themselves at the table
differed from similar proceeding In
any well-ordered home only in that
the number of children was larger
Having taken their places a mos
beautiful and impressive scene follow.
ed. A small bell was tapped and sim.
utaneously forty-eight little heads
bowed reverently, and forty-eight
child voices Joined in repeating the
following lines
God is great and good,
And we thank Him for this food.
BY His hand must all be fed,
Give us, Lord, our daily bread"
Passing through the dining room
noted that just as the prudent mother
serves food that is in character best
adapted to the needs of her children
whose ages vary, so did the managers
OF that home. In both quality and
quantity the food was such as to make
an indulgent father feel that it would
be source OF much comfort to him
TO have the assurance that his own
children would always fare as well,
and the excellent table manners of the
little ones were sure evidence to one
who has had experience in child train
ing that the children who ate in that
room received more than their daily
bread. 1t has been said that IL one
wishes to enjoy meal in public
house he should never look behind the
screens to see Where and how it is
prepared. However many places there
may be of which such a statement is
true, 1t most certainly does not apply
to the Washington County Children's
Home. From the dining room was
taken to the kithen, where the cook
ing utensils, floors and tables gave evil
dence Of such daily securing and
scrubblng as would satisfy the most
fastfdious housekeeper in the world
In careful inspection of this depart
ment and the dairy nothing was dis
covered that detracted from my enjoy
ment of the evening meal in which
had the good fortune to share.
In going over the grounds and
through the buildings and noting the
advantages and delightful appoint
ments OF the home, it would seem that
one could not wish the children who
are there any better fortune that to be
allowed to remain. But experience has
taught otherwise. 1t is a matter for
earnest congratulation that We have
a place SO well ordered to which help
less orphans and children so unfortu-
nae as to need protection from their
own parents can be sent. But in order
to render them its best service the
home must make itself only a pleasant
station at which these children may
tarry for brief time as they pass
along the journey of life. Experience
has clearly shown that an institutions
allied man or woman is poorly equip
ped for the battle Of life. To begin
tat battle with reasonable hope OF
waging 1t to a successful issue, one
must learn something OF the actual
facts and conditions of stern, practical
life during the years preceding his ma
iority. Those facts and conditions
cannot be learned to advantage If the
protecting walls OF an institution cut
the growing child off from the busy,
bustling outside world. The home SO
essential to the cnild that is left home
less can work irreparable injury sim
ply by prolonglng its kind and foster
ing care. That is it can institutional
ize its inmates and SO turn them out
upon the world when they reach the
age at which they must leave the in
sLltntinn nnflt IN mamma tha raannnei.