The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-07-22
LIFE AT PRIORY FARM.
SOME ACCOUNT OF 4 WORK
 WELL KNOWN

Boys -RepubIIc-NO Creed Distinc-
 tiOn.
 In the heart Of Duchess County, among the wooded hills and fertile val leys that extend to the southeast of the country estates of Daniel s. Lamont and Oakleigh Thorne lies the beautiful range known in Revolutionary times as Prospect Hill.' Thither, according to tradition, the ancient beaux and belles of Manhattan were wont to Wend their way, for the wonderful curative pro- perties of the air, at the altitude of 1000 feet above the sea, proved magic
 restoratives, after the whirl and gaiety of their social life. And in these latter days, the life-giving benefits of this old-time resort are still continued by the faith and indefatigable labors of Brother Gilbert, sueprior of the Order of the Brothers of Nazareth. He has established upon this broad mountain acreage "Priory Farm" an institution which is a unique among the hunani- tartan and sociological movements in the State of New York No longer do. fashions followers seek this spot for recuperation, but exhausted clerks from behind the counter. con- valescents and invalids from the city's hospitals, and young gan1ins of the
 streets who are trained in natures re- public to become model citizens of a larger world, enjoy the pure air and
 superb vistas that hold the eye at every turn, where range after range of the distant, Catskills thrust their pur pur- ple-tinted peak into the sky.
 we call this the gateway to the gardens of health and safety" said Brother Gilbert, tall, stalwart, dark haired American. Through aisles of safety lined with luxuriant trees the large administration building, set on a high rise of ground. is approached. '"The outside world" he continued doubtless consider this. place a cloistered retreat: but the woods are our cells, and the leafy pathways the corridors, while overhead the canopy of blue forms a glorious oratory where worn and wearied humanity can com- mune and rest in peace. In reality, this Is practical, Iong-tested experiment which has met and is meeting some of the problems that are the result of the social system in the great congested centers of our large cities. It is strange, but 1t is a fact, that we have been reproached because we will try to help a class of men who through the frailty of their natures have made wreck of themselves. And just because others have passed them by on the other side, is the very reason why we are glad to offer a helping hand to them. It is here at All Saints Home, otherwise Gods Hostel, that we gather together those who are wounded and broken in life.''
 At this point the great oaken door of the main building swung open at nod Of the superior, who led the way into a spacious homelilke hall. Clad in his long brown habit, after the manner of the monks of gold, he made a striking picture as he passed in silence before the oratory altar recessed from the main living room. ''We follow no tnonastic rule up here among the hills; but we try to impress our guests with the truth that were 1t not for the be- nevolence deeply implanted within the hearts of our benefactors, Priory Farm would be an allusion. The gifts of men are but symbols of the great architect who instills in them the desire to repair fallen human temples"
 .''But is this institution entirely de- pendent upon the free liberality of it's friends?'' was asked.
 With hearty, amused laugh, Brother Gilbert responded in a lighter vein: "I am a royal begger at large In India, I suppose, I would be called a faker and revered accordingly. You see, that to maintain a. work of this kind without any endowment other than that which comes from the daily offerings of men and women, yes, and even children, is placing high premi- um upon ones trust in human kind ness. When I think of that little room fin the squalid tenement in New York City, where we first began our labors with hardly 8 simoleon to bless our selves with, and now"-
 A silence more potent than words followed for as far as the eye could reach the wooden heights, cultivated fields and blossoming gardens told a tale of loves labor not lost, but dedi- cated and enriched for coming genera tions. Along the sun-parlors, inclosed in glass, which lie at the rear of the hotel, reclined aged and decrepit men and younger invalids recovering from the ravages that disease or disaster had wrought upon them in the work shops, tenements, or hospital wards | Scattered through the sunny gardens several lads, hardly out of their teens, | were working and gaining strength 1 under the diligent but sympathetic l direction of Brother Henry, who in l priory life is called "Hilarious' be- ! cause the only time he was known to | cry was on the day that he was born IA cheerful comrade. he conducts the l out-of-door system for restoring the 1 sick to health. Each patient, as soon as he is able, engages in some light 1 in natures laboratory, thereby learning forgetfulness Of self l in the interest aroused in. the study of l earth's fairest products. The theory | that the magnetic currents from the | ground pass into the body, thus pro- ducing a natural cure, is daily demon- strated; for the invigorating toll ap- peared in each individual to give that | buoyancy and robust tone which only