The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-07-18
KuRN HATTIN HOMES.
Good Work Being Done for Boys al
Westminster. VI.

The Vermont representative Of this
institution. Miss y. Y. Sessions, has
been here for a few days on her an
naal visit 10 Manchester and neighbor'
hood.
Since her last visit the promoter Of
the work. Rev G. A, Dickinson, has
passed away in California. He was
also pioneer 81 the institutional church
of which The Rurn Hatlin Homes were
really The outcome. In connection
with their inception be said;
For a hong time bad been con.
sgious Of the fac, that there are multi
tsdes Of children in New England who
are growing up in poverty, vice and
ignorance. aud that our present instr
tniions FOR caring for them are utterly
inadequate ! had come into direct
contact with many Of these children in
my work in Berkeley Temple, and
many time had my desire gone out
w WV ANai hlAEHA IN rNniN way
arouse the interest OF the public in
their behalf Al the same time knew
that in Vermont aud Now Hampshire
there were hundreds OF old homesteads,
the lights Of which had gone out
and whose acres bad been abandoned
because the fathers and mothers were
dead and the children had gone 10 the
great city. Why could not some Of
these homeless children and childless
homes be brought together and the
abandoned farms be reclaimed, and
the dying New England towns be re-
populatedi
"Ai least, thought |, beginning Of
such a movement can be made upon a
small scale in my own native town,
and in the old home Of my mother. If
God should give us success, Others
may be induced 20 continue the work
on larger scale when we are gone"
With this idea DR.. Dickinson took
measures 10 secure several pieces Of
property in Westminster, VI, and with
the generous help Of Hon. w. j. Van
patten Of Burlington, the first steps
were taken towards opening home for
destitute children. The work was
begun with four boys in July 1894.
The work has grown untlthe Homes
are now caring for 81 boys and more
than bali the requests for admission
have 10 be refused from lack OF funds.
Sixiy.eighi applications were received
in 1906, and only 20 could be accepted.
One poor little fellow whose name had
been on the waiting list for some
weeks, met with serious accident,
whereby be lost his left hand the very
day the letter accepting him was
written. OH that the time may come
when there shall b. sufficient funds at
command 10 carry Oh the work in its
fulness. and no worthy ease need ap-
ply in yAin'
OF the ~ boys now in the homes, y
are from this state, one being from
Manchester.
With y view 10 doing more efficient
work for the boys, and hoping the
time will come when more boys can be
cared for, improvements and enlarge.
mcnt have been planned, and are being
realized. These are 10 include school
building, containing class rooms, work
shop and manual training room. Also
q ncw kitchen with extra rooms. all Of
which are much needed The school
building is likely 10 be completed this
year, bat the latter viii be ready for
use this summer. The money for these
improvements has all been contributed
by present aud former residents OF this
state, through the kind advocacy Of
Mrs. Frederic Billings OF Woodstock
who has made liberal contributions
herself. In a letter 10 Supt Bishop.
she SAYS, 'iour work il "a distinct
benefit 10 Vermont, hence have no
hesitation 10 calling 4 10 the notice Of
those vito i've IN our state
The ber proof 81 the rich, Of the
Homes 30 exist, and ~ their claim on
your consideration, IL IN the quality Of |
lhs product sent ont. One former
kun Haitin boy is wearing like
slccl" on farm near, 10 that another
was taken On the same farm last FALL.
Two have been workin for the Amer.
can Espress company for four years.
onr i giving good satisfaction ~ book.
keeper ii northern Vermont town.
another i working his way through
Philllps Exeter academy, one entered 4
MI. Hcrmon lasi spring ard another,
possibly tp0) j. 70 enter the coming
fall.
Ans people whom Miss Sessions did /
MOI mesi. desiring 10 help this most
practical work, niAy do so by sending
their contributions 10 Mr.. y. l..
walkef, Bellows Falls, W., treasurer
81 ,he KUN HAiiiH" association.
Thongh We have 80 mauy calis RICH,
herr la Manchester lei ns not make
Them Al eEcase for passing by this
urgent call ID behalf q the homeless
and leelesied. u