The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-27

prosperity of the town TO Wnlcn AN So
allied in many ways and by sundry at
fractions There have been so much OF
inciease of population and progress in
house building and in extension OF the
town, that it was to me a new place
rather than the old, familiar village OF
my boyhood and young manhood The
only portion l saw with advantage en-
h,aced the northern section in which the
Masonic Orphan Asylum is located 1t is
Indeed a most important refuge for the
poor, bereft children who are so fort
innate as to secure place within its
capacious walls. 1t has grown to be
huge and inviting in its size. Instead OF
the ono three-story central building OF
1884, and later, there are now nine brick
buildings, substantial and tasteful, and
the accommodations are SO extensive that
l suppose hundreds of other children
can be taken care of and trained for life
and usefulness and happiness. 1 hope. /
learned that 1T was well managed and
prosperous. l saw on Sunday a touching
sight. The girls and boys in line, In
couples, clad neatly in blue, were seen
marching from the Asylum to the church
es they were permitted to attend, as they
llciered. They appeared happy an6
well ordered. 1t was indeed an inspiring
tribute to the Masonic Fraternity and the
State in thus providing for Gods poor
and orphaned children. who 'are always
with u.s. and Heaven must surely smile
Graciously upon him who first started
the great Orphanage work in North Caro-
lira, for such it has grown to be, and
upon those who combine to carry on tic
perfection the blessed work with so much
of benignancy and grace. God prosper
and bless this merciful and charitable i'll
stitution, and all others conceived ard
fcetercd in like spirit. AS 1 stood gazing
at the procession of the dear girls and
boys in their neat Sunday apparel, I &c
jciced, and Involuntary lifed my heart
and mind to the adorable Heavenly Faith
er praying upon them His love and sus
tanning power.
John Haynes Mills, born in Halifax
county, Virginia, on 9th July, 1881, anu
VINO died at the Thomasville Orphanagc
OF which he was for years the faithful.
manager, on 18th December, 1888, was
the Founder and Manager of the OXFORD
Orphan Asylum from 1873, to 1884. Ht
was as is said of him with the utmost
lIutI- Ever the orphan 5 FRIEND. Tie
was my personal friend, and l knew him
intimately and esteemed him most highly
from 1851 to the close OF his useful and
commanding life. He was decided Zap
fist, and a man of strong intellect and
eaInestness of purpose. Jack Mills, az
be was called. was indeed an able man
ard one of the most useful and conse-
Grated benefactors of his race, known to
the North CorpliDo
or the South. His memory should 5e
preserved for he was worthy of the high
consideration of an appreciatiTe and
grateful people. l believe that a statue
OF him should be placed in front of the
central building at Oxford as . testi
monlal of appreciation and gratitude on
the part OF the better class of people
the true toilers and State builders--in
this blessed old North Carolina. 1t mat
ters not that he was a VIrginian, bur
he was an honor and inspirer Of his race.
1 knew him long and intimately, aud bear
hearty evidence to his manliness, indie
pendence, ability and love of children.
He was doubtless the most active agent
and friend for the orphanage work in our
State. He originated the great Oxford
Orphan Asylum, he was the founder and
ager of the Thomasyille Baptist Or
pbanage, and was in fact the originator
of orphanage work in North Carolina.
There are now established and doing ex-
cellent service for the children who need
help, no less th5ol six orphan homes, and
another is in progress, and all the out
come of the zeal, fidelity, prescience and
wisdom of John H. Mills. 1 had but 2
glance at Oxford, and saw with real
pleasure the new handsome Methodist
{hN ,inI,I Ill
stone Episcopal church Immediately OPP
poste each other. that would do credit
to any town of five times the present
size of Oxford. They are fortunately sit.
uated. Both of these churches have new
pastors and both have made excellent in
pressons and beginnings. They are Rev.
Mr.. Tolson and Rev. Mr.. Shamburger, and
both well known in Wilmington. Both
of these ministers very kindly invited ne
to come and partake of their hospitali-
ties. Fortunately ] was delightfully."- enter
tanned by the most genial and obliging
OF hosts and hostesses. DR.. Thomas
Lynch Booth and Mrs. Booth. shall
remember them always. 1 had also two
other kind invitations, one from my old
school mate, +. Leonidas Taylor, now
nearly 81 years OF age. It gave me great
pleasure to meet him and two other old
school mates of the long ago, Capt Alex
under f. Spencer Ia faithful Confederate
soldiers) and Mr.. Charles r. Lewis each
nearing their nth year.
Education of the wrong kind is often
q positive evil instead off, blessing. The
young can and do receive impressions
they never outgrow. The seeds sown in
the mind in receptive, plastic youth are
sure to bring forth crop of some kind
Tor youth to be brought in association
With a dissipated man or with an infdel
and bIasphemer, is too apt to result in
such impressions as are never removed
The devil uses such ready instruments
for the eternal undoing of many youth
who trained properly would have become
a noble, ingenious, useful faithful citi-
zen. The following paragraph from the
Charlotte Presbyterian Standard, tells
a tale of woe and reveals how much OF
darger and sin turks in immoral and re-
bellous teaching even in great education
al centres: