The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-08-18
THE BRISTOL HOME FOR DEsTI-
TUTE CHILDREN.


OF home for .uhe poor or neglected
children of this community was borne
In upon the minds OF several benevo-
lent people of Bristol. and in 1866 the
Bristol Home for Destitute Children
was. founded. A cottage was given by
Mr.. Robert Rogers, a wealthy and
prominent citizen, and was occupied
until 1887. when the present commo-
dious house on Union street was built
for the children.
About 13O children have found shelter
I'm this benevolent Institution during
these three and thirty years; and more
than this, they have found here home
life, Christian training. influences
which have elevated them and in many
cases have counteracted the effects OF
an evil heritage and corrupt early sur
roundings. An interesting volume
could be written concerning the lives
Of these children. One little boy was
adopted by a physician and his wife
who had no children OF their own, and
grew up to be a comfort and blessing
To them, successful business man and
useful citizen.
A glimpse OF the cheerful surround
ings and a chat with the efficient and
faithful matron, Miss G.. r. Darrah,
would remove all prejudice against an
institution" and make even a skeptic
on the subject feel that IL deserves the
sacred name OF home. Miss Darrah
opens the door for US, with cordial
greeting, and we step into wide hall,
and thence into a pleasant. well-fur-
nished reception room. Back OF this is
play-room with table for the toys
and books-forsaken now, attractive
as IL looks-for the children are playing
under the trees in the large yard. Next
Is the well-appointed dining-roo
with two or three high chairs for the
little ones. neatly spread table and a
cosy air pervading II.
At the head of the stairs lis a me-
morial room, used only for the sick IL
was furnished by a mother, i'm memory
or her two little daughters. whose pic \
lures look down upon the children
whose mothers cannot make a home for
them. Thus the Lord who has promised
10 build the ruined places and plant
the desolate,' has made sorrow TO
bear fruit for the needy. The little
dormitories with their neatly made
beds and spotless floors. bear silent
witness TO the faithful training of the
Older girls who have the care OF them.
children are allowed to remain here
until they are eighteen, and even after
that some OF them pay their board and
WORK In the various establishments of
Bristol. They learn TO love this home.
and Miss Darrah. who has been with
them nearly ten years, has become a
second mother to them in some cases
me only mother they have ever known
She seeks to mold their Characters as
Wen as minister to their needs. and her
christian influence is strong and far
reaching.
The Home is under the care of
board or managers consisting OF four |
teen women selected from the Bristol |
churches. and an advisory board of |
nVe men. It is supported by collections |
taken in the churches each year. and |
ny individual contributions some of |
me summer residents rendering sub |
stahtlai ala. Many pleasures are pro- |
vlded for the children. through the |
OF those who are inter- |
ested In them. They share the Chris 1
mas Festivities of some Sunday school |
esch year. besides the presents ana tre.,
PROVIDED In the Home. and in the sum
iner they are invited to join the excur-
e,ons. Ihis year st. Mary's Catholic |
Sunday school gave them free tscLats
10 ROCKY Point and luncheon. and sent
cahe' bananas, ETC.. which were left
over. The Baptist Sunday School also
Ihaue donation from their picnic IN
which the children were invited
me Bristol Phoenix furnished them
WIN news gratis. and gives space in
.ts columns for the annual renort
Medical aid has been Furnished uith
rut ut charge for twenty-six years bv Dr
Briggs 'e'' Ny III
n good work is this. and widesnread
.or children have been brought bor.
rom other parts Of Rhode Island and
~ from other states. Nav IL have
al support from those who are in
crested I'm uplifting the unfortunate
CHRISTIAN BNDEAvoR
~, haIph w. Brokarr. a trustee OF
q
leavor who with his family Is snand-
hs ms vacation at Bass Rocks. Glou-
ester, Mass, preached at Pilgrim Con-
'regational church last Sunday
Nev. Nehemiah Boynton, also q
rustee OF the United Society of Chris
IAN hndeavor. is expected to preach AT
mon congregational church next SIM
lay He preached at Benefcent
nurch, July 23. His theme was
spiritual Orientation."
Mr.. Butler OF Riverside society gave
report OF the Detroit convention at
EMERSON Street church. last Sunday.
Miss E. w. Olney reports the Dc,ro,.
onvention at Highland Congregationai
hurch, sunday. August 20
Mr. william Macnair who IS visitiny
ONE or the Christian Endeavor socie.
les that are without pastor. spent
ne hrst Sunday In August with ROCK $
ina christian Endeavor church. They
ave been without pastor several '
lonths. Saturday evening service {
unday school. preaching service and
Nening Christian Endeavor service $
ere attended by Mr. Macnair. !
The topic for the Endeavor praver 7
leeting this week is: "The Leayen and u
no Meal" The lesson from the nar- y
bic OF the leaven and meal a. that of v
ersonal contact The leaven simniv
'uches the meal and II becomes leayen
his speaks to US very forcibly OF the
resistable power that Is alive I'm
hrist Jesus. When Christ showed His
sciples the manner In which the king
,m OF God was 20 conquer the world
Q used three silent though Irresistible
'rces to illustrate 81: The seed the
sht and the leaven. First. there is the
ed. The outward appearance gives
, hint OF its power. and vet man must
ware how ne handles the seed. BY
Irelessness. and by what we some
mes call chance. whole countries have
scn made and r1inc1 The land |