The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-22
WOMAN Qn0
 SOCIETY.
Mrs. J. M. decottcs,

ness, order and thrift; the sweet, har- monious atmosphere of a real home, and with two exceptions, fifty bright faced, happy-hearted little lads, who arc finding here "a new Heaven and new earth" The Superintendent be- lieves that songs in the mouths of un- ruiy boys are more effectual than switches on their legs," and under his training they make music that seems fairly celestial to those who rejoice with joy unspeakable" in their won derful development. In no way has God mora richly blessed this work than In sending Mir. c. D. Griffin, his wife and his assistant. Mr. Elm bru, to take charge of it. Surely they have been called into the King dom for such time as this! .
 The Board of Control met a grievous disappointment last winter in the fail- ure of the State to grant the $2a GOO asked for. Every cent of it was need ed sorely; 5000 was to meet our debts on property worth $20,00O, accumulated from the gifts largely of organizations and individuals. AS all know there was only SS,000 to begin with. We wanted to enlarge our work equip our industrial department. build quarters for hundred more boys and have support for two years. The cutting down the amount to $15,000 hampers us greatly. Many said the boys were not in the State who needed such a soul saving station" o, friends in Alabama. this is far from true. If we had the places for them and the money to support them, our schoo. would soon be as large as the Tennessee school, nearly 1000 in number. We greatly need, right now, two cottages to lodge 6ffv hAt,S Thaca for perhaps $2.50o each If all the coun- ties would come to our relief as Jef- ferson. Montgomery, Mobile. Madison, Shelby and Hale have done with an- nual appropriations to help care for their own boys. we could take in some of the numerous applicants that are now waiting.
 We are still depsndent on the gener- ous citizens of Alabama In doing this great work. If they could see what is being done in a limited way with in- adequate means. they would invest so largely of their interest. their services, their prayers and their money, that every boy in this State who needs it could be brought under the fostering care of this school.
 wish I could express half of what I believe as to the grand possibilities of this work. and a small part If what I do know as to the Chris.-llke love and the almost divine self -abp"gation that is the foundation of this institu- tion. and the faithfulness and patience that have built 1t up. Such a spirit as that of Mrs. R. D Johnston. in whose great sympathetic mother heart this impulse that is leading to the redemp- tion of many souls, had it's birth !s making history for Alabama. On her and our Treasurer. Mrs. T. C. Rusn the one State officer in the world. I suppose, who is under bond, and serves through winters cold and summers s heat without money and without price so faithfully and efficiently have the heaviest burdens fallen among the Trustees. So much unselfish love has been wrought into that work that verify believe 1t is having its reflex influence on the lives and characters of the boyE.
 In conclusion I must speak of the happiness affortsd me by my late visit to Alabama. especially to Montgom- cry The sympathy and interest shown in the past by many of its people for this cause seemed in no wise abated. Every request. both public and pri- Vate. was granted with a graciousness that was a banedlction. To the County Commissioners. to Mir and Mrs NJ C. Scott. Miss Rutson Hatchett, Captain M. E. Houghton, Mrs $. B. Stern. Mrs. Lila Little MT. F. g. Shepard and Cap- tain j. NJ. Falkner do I send special thanks in behalf of the Board of Con trol and the half a hundred grateful lads who cheered for Montgomery when I told them of their generous friends in the dear old town. Cordially yours,