New-York tribune., 1901-07-28
PRIORY FARM.
WORK OF THE BROTHERS OF NAzA-
RETH WHO GIVE THEIR LIVES
TO HELP OTHERS

ABLY none that is less well known than the one
which has its home in the highlands of Dutchess
County where the Order of Brothers OF Naza-
reth conduct All Saints Home on the tract OF
land named by the order Priory Farm The
home is a unique institution; for, although it is
a church home, its benefciares may be of any
race or creed and its inmates are from all
grades Of society and of all ages, from tender
youth to helpless old age.
There is a boys school, a convalescents home
and retreat for chronic invalids, but that does
not cover the whole field of usefulness OF the
home because aside from these departments
there is room for unfortunate men and boys
who because of past misconduct find 1t difficult
to gain living, for men who have been the vic
tins Of the drink habit and for old. homeless
A prominent clergyman was recently ap-
preached by parshioner. who said II am
Interested in a man for whom I wish to Sc
cure a temporary home with good surroundings
and
Send him to Brother Gilbert" answered the
clergyman.
'i;ut you don't know who what he is nor
anything about him"
That's nothing. If he is worthy OF your con-
sideration and wants real home where the at
mosphere is physically and morally pure send
him to Brother Gilbert"
The visitor TO the farm viii see that the cler-
gyman's estimate Of the place was correct
Brother Gilbert is the founder Of the order Re-
ligious life a separate calling Is compare
lively a novelty in the Anglican Church since
the Reformation period and in the first years
of the existence Of the order his progress was
difficult.
Until very recently" said the Brother the |
religious life has found more favor and follow |
ers among women than men. but at last the
doc l.fy,
voted men who feel the cali to give up their
all and serve their Master by humble and
faithful service to humanity"
Tho Order Of the brotherhood Of Nazareth is
an American order and dlstinctiycy lay or
ganization 1t founded on the principle
that prayer and manual work form the rule OF
a holy mans life and that by practising these
his vocation IS realized. The Brothers service
TO God consists In acts Of prayer and the SER
vice to man in such works as laymon may per
form for the bodies and souls Of their fellows.
The Brothers wear brown coarse wool cassocks
fastened at the waist with a heavy braided
leather thong. They are clean shuvcn. wear
broad brimmed, low crowned felt hats and
would easily be mistaken for frIars OF Roman
Catholic orders
The Brothers began their work In the summer
Of 1856, when they had charge OF 81. Andrew
Cottage, fresh air home at FarIningdalc Long
Island. In the autumn Of the same year they
opened home for convalesccnt men and boys
near the Harlem Hospital No institution Of
similar nature had ever existed In New York
and when, after three years the place had TO be
abandoned because renewal Of the lease
could be obtained, its good work had so inn
pressed many charitable people that they !
thought permanent home was a necessity. |
General John Watts De Peyster, approaching the
needs Of the brotherhood. gave them a tract Of
land covering about two hundred and twenty
five acres in Duchess County on which the
home might be erected. Richard Stevens gave
plot Of one hundred acres adjoining the De
Peyster land, so that the brothers had a tract
Of about three hundred and twenty-five acres OF
nnd which could be devoted TO the good cause
Ior which the brotherhood was organized. The
aand Is about eighty miles from New-York near
Mlllbrook, upon plateau go feet above tide
level No more beautiful region can be found for
miles about than the farm, and the majestic
panorama that stretches from the southwest to
the northwest, with the many ranges OF hills
ana the Catsks as background is one Of the
Joys free to every resident Of the quiet health
2ul spot
All Saints ConValescent Home was reared on
commanding spot 1t was the gift of Miss
Mary Benson as a memorial ITO one whose pro-
tessonal life unscIflshy spent in the service
OF others" Another large building a consump-