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The Orphans’ Friend. VlilDAY, -----AUGUST, 10, 1883. THE CAEB OF ORPHANS. One of the most pitiab’e conditions to which the young' of our race may be subjected is that of helpless orphanage. The ordinary sensibilities of our nature should prompt us to pity and to relieve. The teachings of Christiauity give additional weight to the claims of this class of our population. Grod has taken their parents to himself, and they become objects of Christian sympathy and benevolence. Every des* titute orphan left among us affords opportunity to exercise those graces of the Christian character. There is no higher motive that can be presented to lead us to any line of conduct than that it is according to the spirit and will of Christ. Bat there are other motives that should lead us to care for our orphans. We desire in this article to present one of them: It is the most hopeful class, for society and for the coun try, whose wants we are ask ed to relieve. There is more to be expected from this class of beneficiaries than from any other for whose support the State makes appropriations from its treasury. The pauper element is quite large, and taking the State over, quite a sum is expended annually for their mainteii' ance. This is right. Indeed it is doubtful If we are taking care of the poor as we should. We would urge to greater care and liberality in their bc'* half. But society can hope for Jittle from them. They are mainly aged or infirm per sons who will probably linger for a while in the poor house and then pass away. There is no probability that they will go out into society and be come valuable members there- of. The same may be said of the insane. It is right that these unfortunates be cared for, that they be treated for their maladies and if possible restored; but how few, ate ac tually cured, so that they may bear the burdens of civil, so cial and domestic life. We thank God that any are heal ed; but what a proportion pass their days in the Asylum built for that purpose, in a state of hopeless insanity. So, in a great measure, with re gard to the deaf-mutes and the blind. They are all prop er objects of sympathy, be nevolence, and aid, but there can be no great out-come for society in either of the classes. Not so with the orphan class of the population. We con fidently expect to bring them up under such conditions and influences, that they may enter e arena of life with proper f'.juipage, physical, mental and moral, to ,enable them to be valuable members of soci ety. We present, therefore, the claims of the orphans from a patriotic standpoint, as well as one of a philanthropic and Christian character. Left to themselves, there is little hope that any considerable proper.- tion of them will grow into useful and noble men and women; but with proper help, under God, we may reasonan bly expect them to develop in a proper direction; and the fact is that a very large pr )• portion of those who go out from the Asylunas of the country, do well. We hope to see the day when they will be put upon an equal footing with other objects of benevo lent effort and care. MASONIC PICNIC. In a private note from Miss Smith, our canvassing agent, we have an interesting ac count of the grand picnic,near Mocksville. N. G., under the auspices of the Masonic fra ternity, for the benefit of the Orphan Asylum. An immense crowd was present and the exercises were of the most in" teresting character. Good music, excellent dinner, and a superb address. A handsome amount was realized for the purpose for which the picnic was given, and we believe much more good done by calling public attention in a most emphatic manner, to the claims of the orphanage, and work that the Asylum is do ing. The address was deliv ered by Hon. M. H. Pinnix, of Lexington. We have read it with great pleasure in the Davidson Dis'- paichf and regret that we have not space to lay it before our readers. We have room only for the following extract: Perhaps I have wandered too far a field in pursuit of an idea. I will indeavor to atone by bringing that idea down to an immediate practical question—the important ques tion of the maintenance of the orphan children of North Car olina, by the encouragement and support of that benevo* lent institution known as the Oxford Orphan Asylum. I will endeavor to show to you, Ladies and Gentlemen, that there is not a man or woman in your m'dst who is not personally interested in the fate of that institution. In the first place, however afflu ent may now be your circum stances it is possible that, among the many vicissitudes of life and fortune, some little child with your blood in its veins, may need some day to find shelter within its kindly walls. But there are other and more salient reasons why you should be interested, not only in the life aad prosperity of the institution itself, but in that of each and every one of those little ones now under its sheltering wing. Who knows what statesmen and scientists, and heroes, in embryo, may be learning their alphabet there to^day, instead of being instructed in the alphabet of crime, which in very many istacces, would be their fate, but for the in tervention of this most bene“ ficent institution. They are the raw material—these fath erless little ones —out of which must be fashioned good men and true women for the com ing generation, or else, bad men and bad women—a bles sing or a scourge. Again I say, there is not one man or woman among you, who is not personally interested in the result. Asylums pay better than penitentiaries; and many a hardened criminal now within state prison walls, might nev er have been there, but for a forlorn, neglected childhood, wherein the seeds of evil were sown, when no kind hand was there to eradicate them, and plant instead the germs of virtue- But ladies and gentlemen, the cause which I stand be** fore you to-day to advocate, has higher and holier claims upon 3^011, than such as may arise from politic and pruden tial considerations. I am almost ashamed, as I look upon the faces around me, beaming with kindness and benevolence, to have giv en such prominence to the least noble of the many con siderations which commend that asylum to your favor and patronage. The orphan children of North Carolina have a hold upon the hearts of every fa ther and mother in the land. They need urge no other claim, I am sure, than that of their pathetic helplessness, to stir the tenderest emotions in your bosoms, and elicit your warmest encouragements and support. Is there on earth a sight more pathetic than an orphan child? No mother kisses for little bruised fing0r8--no fa' ther care—no tender parental patience over little faults-uo infinite parental love and help over the rough places of life! Not all the wealth of all the Stewarts, and Vanderbilts, and Rothchilds that ever ex isted can compensate for the absence of this great heart wealth. Poor indeed is the orphan even though rich in gold and lands. How poor then, when possessed of neither-without father, or mother, or money or friendsi I never look upon the face of such a little one, without seeing in the back ground a death-bead scene—-that sad dest of all death"bed8'> where parental love has nothing but its dying blessing to leave to the little ones, so soon to be orphaned. The agony of such an hour! More terrible than any formof physical suf fering—more awful than the very pangs of dissolution-- must it be! As Christ, in the death throes of crucifixion, is said to have suffered the accumu lated sorrows of all mankind for all time, even thus, I should think, would such a dying father or mother suffer in anticipation, for their help less babes, the sorrows and desolation of orphanhood. The inevitable neglect—the harsh words, perhaps blows—the privation and Hardships, and bitterness that too often make up the orphans’ life—all these X should think, would pass in pamoramic view before the gazing eye, and shut out the very light of heaven. Poor dead fathers and moth ers! 1 invoke your memory to-day. Come from the spir it-land, and unseen and un heard, though not unfeit, touch the hearts of these hap py fathers and mothers around me in behalt of your desolate little ones. VViiisper to them of the long hours, upon a bed of pain, when, “what will be come ol my children” was an agony that no opiate could put to sleep—no narcotic lull. And, dead confederate sol dier, speak to your old com rades in arms as did the dying Hood. “I leave my children to the care of the confederate soldiers,” said he; and how no bly have they responded to the call. Not one of the Hood orphans but is amply, munifi cently provided for. The child of many a con federate soldier has found refuge in the Oxford Orphan Asylum It was mainly for the soldiers’ orphans that the asylum was instituted, al though it owes its existence to the philanthropic order of freemasonry I cannot forbear, just here, to say a few words in regard to that time-honored society, the oldess philanthropic order of which there is any record in history—that antedates Christianity itself, dating back to the building of Solomon’s Temple. Old in 3’ear8 and good works, it survives among us to-day—blesses this nine teenth century of ours with its deeds of active beneficence, and tireless,Cbristlike charity. The principle of life seems strong within it. At different periods of the world’s history, strenuous efforts have been made to suppress the order; papal bulls have been issued against it; acts of parliament and stringent statutory laws have been enacted against it; anathemas of potentates have been hurled against it, and the curses of the wicked and superstitious have been heap ed upon it; but all iu vain. Empires and dynasties have arisen, flourished, and fallen; political and religious seats have bad their day and then their death; but the venerable order of freemasonry still ex ists in a green old age, its hoary head bearing a crown of glory, the jewels whereof are its own good deeds, whose lustre shineth greater, as the days and years roll on. But pardon this digression. I will returu to the subject that brings us together—the subject of these poor little or phan children. In their name, I return thanks to you, ladies and gen tlemen, for your presence here to-day, attesting, ss it does, your interest in the benevo-^ lent cause of their nurture and education. Especcially to the ladies are thanks and acknowledge ments due, for upon their ef forts mainly the success of the occasion depends. AN EVEN CHANCE. When a saloon-keeper em phasized the expression of his convictions by offering to bet his ^soul against a rotten ap ple,’ a crusty old customer grunted out his satisfaction at finding one man who was not always trying to get the bet ter of others, but was willing to be fair, and make an even bet! There are many people who are not so fair who, in truth, : re never willing to be fair. They are alwys trying to got on the inside track; and they always have some little plans and schemes of their own by which they try to obtain special advantages. Thej" are not manly and above-board in their transactions, but are ever en deavoring by indirect means to overreach their fellows. In politics they work their way in among party loaders; in law they have an understan ding with judges and juries; in ecclesiastical affairs they pack committees, control cau cuses,manipuiate nomination*'’, concoct resolutions, and al** ways manage to keepinoftce.' If any man offends them,they crush him if they can; not iu open, manly conflict, for they meet him with a smile as bland as that of Joab, when he said to Amasa, ‘Art thou in health, my brother?’ and took him by the beard to kiss him, at the same time thrusting his sword under the fifth rib. They are as courteous and polite as was Judas Is cariot when he said, “Hail, Master, and hissed him.’ But beneath this sweet, bland, smooth exterior,lurks the slan derous tongue, the envious glance, the vile institution, the sbrug, the sneer, and the open falsehood, with which these men slay those for whom they profess great friendship and regard. One can arm against open enemies, but what ar mor is there against the strat agems and devices of profess ed friends, who will tell false hoods with more unction than ordinary men can command when they speak the truth; who call a man ‘brother’ while they assail him as a liar and a knave; and who dignify this duplicity under the title of ‘Christian meekness,’ and ac cuse the honest men who de nounce it of being actuated by ‘a bad spirit?’ It may be well to remem ber that while both Christian and Satan are represented un der the figure of a lion, the figure of the silent, gliding, creeping serpent is reserved for Satan alone. And while a man with the spirit of Christ may be both bold and gentle, the deceptive, crafty, insid ious spirit of the serpent be longs to the adversary, the devil. Let Christians see to it that they imitate their Master, and not their enemy. Fairness, justice, and righteousness, are characteristic of the blessed Christ, and those who aim to be his imitators mu«='t have something more than mere softness of speech, and meek* ness of expression, to justify their claim. They must have honesty, uprightness, truth, fidelity, and fair-dealings, if they would be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ in this world, and sharers of his roy al glory in the world which is to come.—TAe Christian. “What Mason is there of all who read or listen to this Ser mon, who does not know of instances where the peace of society has been broken up by the influence of even a 8in« gle mischievous man! The power of harm possessed by the meanest person in a co ii- munity is incalculable. A slanderous word may blast the life-long reputation of the purest woman, or the noblest man. As a torch iu the hands of the lowest and most des picable creature will do its full meamre of harm, and produce confiagratioQ of the largest dimensions, so with the slanderous tongue. How many a church, how many a family, how many a lodge has r een broken up by such in fluences.'’’—Grand Chaplain's Give us a call early for fresh Candies, Baisens, Oranges, &o., at Williams & Furman’s Druggist. Committees on Orphan 4sylnm Lily Valley Lodge, No. 252—John R. Hill, William H. Riddick, Eras- tus Barley. Eureka Lodge, No. 283—G. A. J. Sechler, S. G. Patterson, Charles W. Alexander. Fulton Lodge, No. 99—A Parker, VV. W, Taylor, J. Samuel McCub- bins. Mount Energy Lodge, No. 140— Henry Haley, Job a Knight, H. F. Parrett. Hiram Lodge, No. 40—George M. Smedes, Theodore Joseph, John Nichols. Evergreen Lodge,] No. 303—M, Morrison, H. P. Harman, L.- MoN. McDonald. Fellowship Lodge, No. 84.—Jo seph Parker, C. S. Powell, John T. Cobb. Wayne Lodge, No. 112.—E. A. Wright, Augustus Kdward, E, W Cox. Cumberland Lodge, 364—Rev. A B. Pittman, Salem Lodge, No. 2289—W; Hunter. 0. A. Fogle, Ohas. Hauser. Ooharie Lodge, No. 379—A.. J. Butler, J. D. 0. CulbretU and R. "W, Wowajd, GRAND LBCTGBER^Dr. 0. D. Rice, Raleigh, N. 0. Wheeler & Wilson SEWING MACHINE Wltii Straight Needle and Improved Bobbin, is, beyond all doubt, the Host Perfect and Sat isfactory Sewing Machine in the WORLD. I^Sold oneasyterms. Agentsan Dealers wanted. Address WHEELER & Wilson; m’P’o co., Raleigh, N. C. JONESBORO HIGH SCHOOL, Jonesboro, Moore Co., N. C. The next Session of this School ■will begin July 30th, 1883. For circulars or information apply to Prop. William C. Doub, A. M. 8-et Principal. Farming Implements. EDWARDS&ROGEBS GENERAL OXFORD, N. C. Will supply Flue Iron or Tobacco Flues prepared, ready for use, al LOW RATES. We keep on hand a; well selected stock of HARDWARE of every des; orlption, embracing CROCKERY AND GLASS-WARE,, COOKING AND HEATING STO'VHIS, POCKET AND TABLE CUTLERY, WOODEN AND WILLOW-WAR Guns and Pistols, Cartridges, Ammunition AND SPORTING GOODS. We invite attention to our stock of SEWM MCHim OILS, NEEDLES AND ATTACHMENTS. We also carry a heavy stock Paints Oils, BRUSHES AND VABNISHKS.
The Orphans’ Friend (Oxford, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Aug. 10, 1883, edition 1
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