Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-17
Z FRIDAY. DECEMBER II. 1920.
Caring for Richmond's Boys

sHN the eve Of another Christmas season,
~ when hearts are attuned to the spirit
of giving, ii is not amiss to remind Rich
mond that even prodigal liberality dur
ing few days makes thin layer when it
is spread over the lfty-two weeks OF the
year. What is given now, if given wisely,
helps wonderfully over the rough places,
hnl generosity now and forgetfulncss until
the- giving season comes again is but
temporary lift for those who cannot walk
alone. Fortunately for Richmond's unfor-
tunatc ones this observation does not gen
orally apply here. Through its various
charitable organizations. Richmond is caring
for its needy perhaps as we'll as any other
city in the country.
But is il not overlooking some things
that are urgently needed. and in this CON
nection, ii may be asked what is IL doing
for it's boys, boys who are homeless, many
of them parentless? Is il doing what it
can to educate them and train them in the
ways OF good citizenship, or is II permit
ting them to shift along as best they cam
the chances all against them? Hero is
wonderful field for Richmond's charitable
activity, field that is fertile, one that will
pay real dividends in manly young mon,
one that has been sadly neglected. Rich
mond today is doing little along this line.
1t has the Methodist Orphanagc and the
Masonic Home, but il has no home for
boys free from UNCONVENTIONAL or associa-
tional control And there is urgent need
for just such home.
II Is good TO know that q start is being
made in this direction by the Richmond
Male Orphan Society, building on the ioul.-
dation OF the ho?he and school so long con
Quoted and made famous by the beloved
and Iamented Mother Gill The Oldest
home of its kind in Richmond, having been
founded in 1870, 1t is taking on new life
and there is reason why it should not
develop into such an institution as will
cover Richmond's needs. 1t is now in
course OF complete reorganization with the
SANCTION OF its board of directors, among
whom are some Of Richmond's most widely
knea*n bankers and business men Directly
IN charge is the new superintendent, Rev
James buchanan, who for so many years
successfully directed the work OF the Asso-
Gated Charities. social worker who is
particularly gifted for the new labor OF
love he has undertaken
= me nome and school. site Of four
teen acres at the intersection OF Amelia
aud Meadow Streets. is being put into first
class condition. and the boys, now thirty
70 number, arc responding rapidly to the
modern methods in organization and school
NE mat are being inaugurated Its ia
ctiitics at present are rather limited. but
" can be made TO care for perhaps 800 or
pore boys and so become great and valu-
able asset 10 the city Of Richmond.
Elhe nome is asking no funds, it is max
nlg no drive, it is requesting nothing he
yond sympathetic understanding on the
part OF the people OF Richmond OF the con
suuctive work OF mercy ii is striving 10 do
among these otherwise friendless boys, and
OF the greater work it hopes to do in the
luture And at this season, when hearts
are softehed. 1t is a good time for Rich
mond TO give thought to an institution
Wnicn goes about its work in quiet. un-
ostentatious manner. and vet on each Of
TIE 365 days OF the year is doing il unto
the least of these"