The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-09-29
A DAYS WORK FOR the ORPHANS.
ATLANTA Journel.)

Saturday Of this week is the date set
apart for the. annual work day" contribu-
tions to>the orphan homes of the south,
and it is earnestly hoped that the people
or Georgia will do their full part In con-
tributing towards the support OF these
charitable institutions. s.
The idea is that every one who takes
humane interest in this work will contri-
butte to the cause the equivalent OF one days
work on this annual occasion.
The custom has grown In popularity and
Importance ever sinceit was first instituted
until now It Is observed In eight southern
states. -,
Two hundred thousand dollars Is needed
to maintain the three thousand orphans in
the various homes in Georgia, and the
orphans home at Decatur, which will soon
enter it's fortieth anniversary, Will need
not less than twenty thousand dollars;
More than two thousand children from AZ
parts Of north Georgia have been helped
by the home during its existence, and 'dur,
| ing the month Of August alone 1t gave ald
! to TWENTY-FIVE additional children, besides
the large number already being cared
for. -
The equivalent of a. days work viii not
mean much to each Individual contributor,
but 1t will mean much to the orphans, and
! it should be forthcoming In full measure.
| It is hoped this year to impress upon
the general public more forcibly than ever
the terms of the law, in regard to orphan
children. and to arouse stronger sentl-
ment in favor Of the enforce ement OF this law. M
It reads:
Georgia Code 25O5. Whenever any child
under the age aforesaid az years. Shall Pc
brought before the ordinary OF the county
Of such childs residence, upon the sworl
allegation Of any citizen that such cnlld
was found under circumstances OF desttu-
tion and suffering, or abando expos
ure, or of begging, or that such child ts be-
| ing reared UP under immoral, Obscene or
| indecent influences, likely to degrade its
moral character and devote it to vicious
life and 1t shall appear to such ordinary
| by competent evidence, including such ex-
animation Of the child as may be pracu-
cable, that by reason OF the neglect, haot-
tual drunkenness, lewd, or other Vicious
habits of the parents or guardians OF sucn
such child, from suffering or from
degradation, that such parents or guar.
dians shall be deprived 'Of the custody of
such child, such ordinary may c0mmit
such child to any orphan asylum, or other
charitable institution establish cording
| to law in this state, which Is willing TO re-
ceive such child, or to appoint . proper
guardian therefor, or make such ether dis-
position of them as now Is, or herealLef
may be, provided by law In cases of dis-
orderly, pauper, or destitute children.
A world Of good has been done In saving
helpless children from evil influences under
This law, and its terms should be more
generally known and more rigidly tenforc-
ed. -.
Contributions sent to the Methodist Or
phans' Home, Decatur, Ca, will be safely
and gratefully received, and tits hoped
that the other orphanages In the state who
are to be beneaciaries OF Work Day con-
tributions will receive due attention.