The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-26

The orphanage of the Presbyterian
church at Barium Springs, near states
vile, is in a very flourishing condltloh'
having under its care between one hun
dred and thirty and one hundred and forty
children.
Judge w. o. Howard, of Tarboro, has
recently given a new dormltory, Whlch
will accommodate at least twenty more
children. Besides this new building TO pc
erected, there is now in contemplation d
substantial brick building to be used 1or
the laundry, to cost about $4,000. Ihen
over 81 900 has been sent in by way OF
contribution to build Little Joe S
Church
Little Joe was the smallest and youngest
boy in the institution, just as smart and
bright as he couIu be, and real musical
genius. He always used to say that when
he grew up to be a man he was going to
build a real, great big church for the or
phanage.
But one sad day last February Little
Joe suddenly died, and the grief at the or
phanage was terrible, for the little boy
had been a pet of the institution. His
death brought up in everybodys mind
what Little Joe used to say about build
ing real church for the orphanage, and
contributions were asked to build Little
Joe's Church. with the result that al
ready over one thousand dollars have
been donated for that purpose.
All of the buildings at the orphanage
are of the best kind of material, well
built for time, substantial, not snowy.
under Superintendent r. w. Boyd could
not be surpassed anywhere in the coun-
try. He has the faculty of getting close
to his pupils and giving them high ideals
of life.
The health of the children is remark
ably, good, the death of Little Joe last
February being only the second little life
cut short in the entire history of the in
stitution.
The paper printed by the boys and
edited by the superintendent, called "Our
Fatherless One" is a very interesting,
neat, nicely gotten up sheet, always with
something good in it, some food for
thought.
Hon. A. NJ. Scales, of Greensboro, Wis
tied this orphanage a few weeks ago and
writes describing his visit as follows:
To the Editor: 1t was my privilege a
| few weeks ago to spend a day at dhe
| Orphanage at Barium Springs, and L have
not been able to stop talking and think
ing about it since. A charming little
guide carried me all over the buildings
and grounds, and if she became tired ot
answering questions, she was too polite
to show it. 1t is q magnificent plant
evidencing at every turn the far-seeing
| wisdom of the regents. The handsome,
substantial buildings are a permanent in
vestment of which the Synod may we'll
be proud, but prouder still should she
be Of the one hundred and thlrty-nlne
children gathered together in that big
family. AS fine looking set OF children
as one could wish to ,see-not pale and
pampered darlings as too many of the
children of this generation are, but strong
robust, self-reliant and helpful boys and
girls, their rosy cheeks giving evidence
that they are not unacquainted with
healthful toll and exercise in the open air
and sunshine A wise man, even though
he be a millionaire, will teach his chill
dren to work, and it is the good fortune
of these little brothers and sisters that
they have plenty of work to do, and
their willingness and cheerfulness In do
ing their daily tasks reflect credit upon
them and upon their teachers True men
and women are makingrln that home 1t
is not an institution, not an asylum, but
home, and what impresses one more
than anything else is the homehkeness of
everything Love seems to peryade the
atmosphere and to beautity and glorlty
the most commonplace duties, and that
is why tasks otherwise lrksome to- OF
fcers, teachers and children, have become
| a pleasure Fortunate indeed is our
Synod in the selection of the officers and
teachers of this home and it will be sur
prising if many great and useful men and
women are not raised under such efhclent
training These officers and teachers are
called to responsible duties and should
have the prayers Oh the whole churcn.
Most of of us feel deeply the Response
bility of raising two or three chlldren
but these have the physical and spiritual
oversight of one hundred and thlrty-nlne.
We can rest assured that every dollar
will be made to do its full duty, so let
us do great things for these httle broth
ers and sisters of ours. 1t is not only
lsacred obligation but a precious privilege.
Sunpose we had the opportunity OF pro-
viding for Christ's personal wants! HOW
We would contend for and prize the prlVi-
lege of feeding and clothing the son Oh
God! Yet in caring for these NIUE ones
we are doing just that thing lor thiS
we have the Masters assurance.
A. NJ. SCALES.
Greensboro N. c., Nov. %.