The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-12-05
0he Wlrssen9er.
youR THANKSGIVING OFFERING

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Before making up your mind
shall be the amount of your thanksgiy-
ing Offering today read the article
given below, which we take from the
Greensboro Record. AS the Record
SAYS. Thanksgiving day in North Caro-
lima is growing to be Orphans day.
Every man who today makes a
thanksgiving offering i'll his church or
in the benevolent society TO which he
belongs will be helping to some degree
I'm supporting one of the several homes
for orphan children we have in this
state. There re nine, and perhaps
more Of these institutions in this state.
every one of which except two is sup
ported entirely by contributions by the
citizens OF the state. The W. which
form the exception receive small ap-
preparations from the state.
The Masons we believe were the
first TO establish such an institution in
North Carolina They have done a
glorious work in taking care of the
INDECENT orphans of the state. The
Odd Fellows were not far behind them
i'll this noble work, and along with
them the different religious denomina-
tfcns have taken up the work, and now
we see every denomination in the state
strong enough 10 support such an in
%stitution providing IL home and giving
mental and moral training to a number
OF the poor unfortunate children who
otherwise would be thrown upon the
world to shift for themselves. with no
one to care for them. no one to save
them from the many shares and pit
falls which beset the paths through life
of such waits OF humanity.
No n can deny that these orphan
asylums have made IL worthy man and
q good woman out of many a boy and
girl who but for their fostering care
would h2Ve become Il disgrace to So
C!cty ana Il burden on the state.
1t is for the aid OF these institutions
mainly your offerings are asked today
Think OF the vast good these institu-
tIon> Are doing: CT how many boys and
girls they are rescuing and leading into
the way Of making upright, honest
men and women; realize what bless.
1nGs have been v~ouchsafed to the little
ones near and dear to you who
have the home Of Il father and the fos-
tering care of a mother to save them
o the charity of strangers and give
literally of yOur means 20 make as
comfortable and happy as possible the
lives Of the waits who are dependent,
through these orphan asylums. on
charity for their support, their educa-
ton and their Christian training. Look
upon il as Il blessing from God that
YOU are able 10 help these more unfor-
tundte thai your little Ones and show
your gratitude by literally c%ontribut-
ing ID the support OF these institutions
which are a refuge for these poor chill
drcn, who but for these asylums would
be outcaStS and liable to become vaga-
IL nv al lHS ! ~ oOIlCtS do I'LL
zens. TO say nothing Of the happiness
brought into their lives and their res
Il III the life to come:
More distinctively each year Thanks
giving day is growing to be Or
Dhan's day in North Carolina. A
grateful. liberal people, greatly bless
ed Of God. Make. at this season, spe-
cial offerings which materially il in
maintaining the orphans homes of the
state. These institutions merit our
most generous. hearty support. They
are performing an important. a neces-
sary service for the homeless orphan
children of North Carolina. They are
a means of blessing to MANY boys and
girls n their power and influence is
being multiplied through these chill
dren. Who can calculate the beneficent
results from the work of a well-con-
Quoted orphans home? We have in
North Carolina and in other states
many useful, Christian citizens. who.
without the benefits of such an insti-
tuition would probably be burdens
uDnn and menaceS to the common
wealth. An Orphanage has been one
of the means employed by God in res
cuing their lives from ruin. in form
ing their characters. in saving and
t%Cuippiug them for service to Him
and the world.
n Increased interest in this cause
and the enlarged support to it will
help to improve these institutions and
to extend their usefulness.
Gods approval of this work and His
BLESSING d it are clearly seen.
AS He has ~rrospered us and as He
prompts us, let Is, a responsive
thankful people. cheerfully n gen:
erously give to aid our ~orphanages.
Surely. a gift for these little ones
prompted by gratitude. will be accept.
ed by the Father of the fatherless.