The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-15
LETTERS TO EDITOR
Home for Orphans in Mobile

l
 | In 1864 Bishop R. H. Wimer of Ala
 bama opened in Tuscaloosa a home for Confederate orphans Tn 1866 the institu- ton was moved to Mobile, organized as a church home for orphans under the care and guidance of a sisterhood. The first
 chief deaconess was Sister Rebecca Flew itt from the House of the Good Shepherd in Baltimore Sister Harriet assumed
 charge in 1865, and remained chief deaconess until her death in 1902. Sister Sarah succeeded her and is still in charge.
 At the present time the church home
 h A children and six sisters. These devoted women receive no salary, nor
 remuneration save the happiness and
 comfort that comes into a life conse-
 crated to the cause of the Savior, who
 declared his love for little children. The
 home has been supported principally by Christ church, Trinity, All Saints and St. John churches in Mobile, with assistance from other churches in the diocese. Chil-
 dren from all parts of the state are re-
 ceived, and this includes infants
 Since the organization of the church home in 1SG6 300 girls have been sent out to fill various stations in life, and only two of this number haze been disappoint- ing Of boys more than 100 have gone
 out into the world. and they are a credit to the home wherever you find them. Bishop Winner vas devoted to the work, and through his influence the home
 was at one time considered, in a measure. self sustaining. But by the shrinkage
 in interest bearing values, the necessary spending of part of the principal, and
 the increase in the price of provisions tha nf "a
 home has been so greatly reduced that the sum now available IS scarcely sur ficient to supply the oralnary necessities 1 of living, while there has been a con stant increase in the number of children ! to be cared for.
 | The Church Home guild was organized | in Mobile in 1903 as auxiliary to the work | of the sisters We are helpers substan- tialy and actively, in any way possible | towards the need and support of .he | home: trying to help brighten lives that 1 have never known the care and love of a
 mother; helping to start little feet alright | in the various paths of life in world 1 that is more than critical, and place them l finally before the community as we'll trained, educated. God fearing men and women. By the extension of the guild
 work in the formation O. similar guilds
 throughout the state, we have been great | ly assisted. Through the aid of these
 ruilds, and from work in other lines wherever available. We have during the | past year placed in our treasury about | $500, which has been spent in clothing,
 food, fuel anC other needs of the home Sister Sarah is most fortunate in her
 management of the children. Gentle and refined, but very positive, she manages | to develop the best that is in them. Upon l evidence of any particular talent or ability every opportunity possible is given | to develop that trait, not merely as an accomplishment, but an aid to the child
 in earning her own living. In this way the guild has many calls for efficient as well as interesting work.
 l Our present great aim and object is the erection of new building for the church
 home, for whicl. we are trying to accumu- 1 late q building fund. The premises now | occupied are old and worn. almost be-
 yond repair and much too small to meet the demands made upon the institution
 We are constantly forced to turn away
 children because there is not room to pro
 vide for them. With more room and avail able support twice the number could be cared for.
 l We are now sending this message to the | church throughout the state. clergy and l laity, hoping to arouse new interest and energy in the support or the church home l If every communicant in the state over IS years of age would contribute X cents a year, the support of the home | would be assured. We could then worl, l for the new building complete in all mod ern arrangements for the convenience l and comfort of the children and sisters which would be also a suitable memorial 1 to our much beloved Bishop Winner
 whose heart was so deeply interested in the work
 MRS. SAFFOLD BERNEY.
 President Local Church Home Guild.
 Mobile, May l5 191e