Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1907-11-25
THANKSGIVING AND
ORPHAN CHILDREN
Mr.. Editor:

Mr. Editor:
VIII you allow me space in your
valuable paper, in view of the APP
preaching Thanksgiving Day, when
charitable people generally remember
the poor to call attention of your
many readers to the work, condition
and needs Of the Texas Presbyterian
Home and School for Orphans, locat-
ed at Files. Hill county Texas.
This institution, while under the
management and control of the Synod
of Texas of the Presbyterian church
in the United States. receives and
cares for alike, AL needy white or
phan children between the ages of
four and fifteen years, irrespective of
religious belief of parents or guard
ians or place of residence 1t feels.
therefore, that it is nothing but right
to invite the help and support Of all
good people in its generous and I'M
selfish work.
The Home owns $50 acres Of land
and is located on high elevation
overlooking the lovely and fertile
Files Valley and is noted for its beau
tTul landscape views, pure air and
water and consequent good health.
The plan of the institution, unlike
anything in Texas, is what is known
as the Cottage Plan" viz: Erecting
substantial ten and twelve room hous-
es for every twenty or twenty-five or
phans, and placing a matron in each
cottage to mother the children placed
therein, for whose care and training,
physical, mental and religious. she
is personally responsible. This plan.
as anyone can see, has great advan-
tages as to the home training Of the
children, and in case of fire or cpl
demic
In addition to the special work Of
the matrons for their children, the
Home employs its own teachers and
has its own graded school, correspond
ing to that of the state, which it ex-
poets to carry on for ten months in
the year. and hopes to make the equal
of any public school in the land.
The children, while being taught to
study books, are also taught to work
the larger ones going TO school half
the day and working in domestic and
farm duties the other half 1t is the
purpose and plan of the management
TO add such industrial features Of edu-
cation from time to time as shall quail
ify the children for self-support and
usefulness in life as they manifest an
aptness for the same.
We have erected on the grounds
two two-story brick-veneer cottages,
one each fer boys and girls, with
barn and out-buildings and
a temporary school house, which,
with other improvements, cost about
5000.
There are now in the Home forty
seven children, twenty-seven boys and
twenty girls, counting two children
who are expected daily. We have re-
ceived eighteen orphans into the
Home during this year, nine having
been received since the meeting OF
he Synod, in October, and applica-
lions for the reception of others are |
coming in. By the last of |
the year we could have sixty or sew
enty-five children under our care If |
We were not compelled to turn them |
away for want of house room and |
funds for their support. VIII the |
good people of Texas have us turn |
away any Of these needy ones. who
are asking for a home and christian
care?
But our two cattages are crowded
10 overHowing, and we must build
additional ones before we can take
other children. Is there not some one
who viii erect a cottage for us as
memorial to some loved one or better
still, as a thank-offering to the Lord,
who gave so much for him? Shall our
work be hindercd for want Of further
room? What a benediction to the
'atberless little ones OF Texas would