Newspapers / The Orphans’ Friend (Oxford, … / March 15, 1876, edition 1 / Page 1
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THE OltPlIAtV VVOKlt. In 18G8, the premises, known as St. John’s College, were sold at auction, and bought by II. W. Best, Grand Master of Mason During the same year the pur chase money was collected by llev. J. L. Carroll, and the deed was made to the Grand Lodge Nine Directors were appointed to control the property and to use the same for a male school, a fe^ male school, or Orphan Asylum. EXTRACTS FROM PROCEEDINGS OF THE GRAND LODGE IN DEC. 1872. Bro. J. T. Littlejohn, President of the Board of Directors of St. John’s College, submitted a re port as follows, which was read and accepted: To the 3Iost Worshipful Grand Lodge of North Carolina : The Board of Directors of St. John’s Col lege regret to report that they have failed to make any arrangements in establishing a school in this institution. Aftf^r advertising for proposals to lease the property for a male t)r female school or college, they received but one apjilieation. The terms upon which the College was offered to this person, to-wit: $500 per annum, was declined on the ground that the rent was too high. The Board has j)ut the building in charge of a competent gentleman, who resides on the promises, and sttpervises the property and pays a small rent. U'lie buildings are now in a good state of preservation. liospeetfully and fraternally submitted, JAS. T. LITTLEJOHN, President. Bro. C. A. Cilley, J. G. W., in troduced the following resolution: Ticsolced, That the G-ranl Lodge appoint three Commissioners M’bo shall proceed to ad vertise. and stdl St. John’s College, either at- }>iibUc or )irivatc sale, to tlie State or to any ])erson, or persons,on such terms as they may think best, repm-tiug their action to the next GiJind Lodge, in order that they may there receive farther instructions as to the disposi tion of the procA-eds of sale. Bro. J. 11. Jlills presented the following as a substitute for said resolution : llcsolced, J. That St. John's Ctdiege shall bo mad(; an asylum for the ^irotectio'a, train ing anti ediicativ)’.) of indigent orpltan cliiidren. 2. That tliis Grand L nlge will approjiriate $ -inimally for the support of tlie iusti Secretary was instructed to notifv each member of tlie said Board of Dii-ectors of this action. Bro. Clinton A. Cilley, S. G. W., introduced the following res olution, which was read and un animously adopted : Resolved, That this Grand Lodge desires to express its appreciation of the zeal and earnestness with which the Board of Directors of St. John’s College have labored, both here and elsewhere, to advance the interests of that Institution. Bro. R. W. York introduced the following resolution, wliich was read and adopted ; Resolved, That the Superintendent of the said Orphan Asylum shall report to each An nual Communication an account’ of his official acts, receipts, disbursements, number of pu pils, &c., together with such suggestions as he may see fit to offer. _ In January, 1873, the institu tion was opened for the reception of orphans, and it was found that many of them were in circum stances exceedingly humiliating and distressing. Some were even enslaved by those who had been i-ecently released from slavery. Others were oppressed as if all the rights of humanity had ceased to exist. To relieve these suffer ers, to collect needed supplies, to decide the various problems al ways incident to a new work, and to give due attention to the proper management and instruction of the children, taxed the undivided efforts of the Superintendent. He therefore asked the advice of the Grand Master in regard to certain perplexing questions which had from tlic i)osition assigned you by the Grand Ivodge. I have the honor, most respectfully, to ap prise you of the action ot the meeting on these important questions, and trust that it may as sist yiu somewhat in the ^arduous and respon sible labors which have been imposed on you by the Fraternity. With high liopes for the success of the Asy- and a sinctire regard for yourself. I am ti'iily and fraternally, JOHN NICHOLS, Grand Master. This letter, except so far as it has been modified by subsequent legislation of the Grand Lodge, or decisions of the Grand Master, is still considered binding. EXTRACTS FROM PROCEEDINGS OP THE GRAND LODGE IN DEC. 1873. The committee to whom was referred so much of the Grand Master’s Address as relates to the Orphan Asylum, also the report of the Superintendent of the Asy lum, submitted the following re port. To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of North Carolina: Your Committee to whom was referred the report of Bro. J. H. IMills on the Orphan Asylum, and such portion of the Grand Master’s address as relates thereto, beg leave to report that they recommend the following as a l>asi3 of organization for said Asylum : Lst. The officers of the Orphan Asylum shall be a Supia-intendent, a Steward. a Il.-aseicaeper and one Teacher foi-each Orphans may' find_ a temporary arisen, and also requested permis- tutioli, hut will not assume any additional pe can ia”y responsibility. J. Tliat tliis Graml Lodge elect a Superin tendent who sliall control the institution and solicit coi:tribtUious for its support from all classes of our people. 4. That orpliau children in the said Asylum shall bi' fed and clothed, and sliall receive such preparatory training and education as wiU pvcjiare thoin tor useful occupations and for tlie, usual business transactions of life. Pending discussion, th-e Grand Lodge proceeded to the consider ation ot tlie special order. The consideration of the reso lutions in regard to St. John’s College was resumed. The question recurring on the substitute of Bro. J. II. Mills, the same was put and decided in the affirmative. The proposition as thus amended was adopted. Several propositions to fill the blank in the 2d resolution were submitted and rejected, when on motion of Bro. Sam’l A. Williams, five hundred dollars were inserted. On motion of Bro. R. II. Kings bury, Bro. J. H. Mills, of Raleigli, was elected Superintendent of the Orphan Asylum, at Oxford. Bro. S. E. Overby moved that the present Board of Directors of St. John’s College be discharged, which motion prevailed. On motion of Bro. S. E. Overby, standing resolution No. Ill, pro viding for the appointment of a permanent Board of nine Direc tors of St. John’s College, was de- T-i -i-i li iiiiiiiH; lusc cuiiiiuciioo iii Liit- oucccsci ci^rGll rGpGcUGd, cllld tilG of this noble enterprise should you withdraw Sion to resign in order that a sue- cessor might be appointed, and give his entire time to the orphan work, lie received the follow ing reply ; Orficb of tiik Grand Master of ? Masons in North Carolina, I Raleigh, June 20, J87J. J. II. Mills, Sip't Orphan Asylum, Oxford, N.C.—ilY Dear Sir and Brother:—At a recent meeting of promineiit and discreet Masons iu this city, a number of perplexing questions with reference to the management of St. John’s Orphan Asylum were discussed and determined, as follows : 1. “Should orphans under eight years of age be admitted ?” It was determined to leave this to the discretion of the Supcriii-’ tendent, but as a general rule it was the opinion of the meeting that they should not be admitted, as those received should be old enough to attend >011001 with profit. 2. “Should orphans over thirteen years of age be admitted f” This was also left to tlie •discretion of the Superintendent, it being im possible to recommend a general rule to apply to individual cases. It was thought, how ever, except iu special cases, that none over thirteen years of age should bo received. 13. “Should deserted children be admitted ?” was decitled in the negative. 4. “Should children having step-fathers be admitted f” was also decided in the negative. 5. “Should deformed cliildreii be admitted V’ This WAS left to the d'seretion of the Superin tendent. Wlien tlie d(dbniiity is of sncli a character as to require extra attemtiou, it was thought unadvisabio to admit the parties in the present condition of the Asylum. 6. “At what ago should orphans l>e dis charged'f” Tliis was left to the iliscrelion of the Superintendent, but the opinion was ex pressed that they slouid he dismissed when ever good homes can be secured. 7. “Siiould boys learn trades at tlie Asy lum f’ Decided iu the negative, it Ixung im practicable at tliis time to eiiqiloy skilled me chanics in the various trades, erect suitable work-shops aiut purchase necessary tools. 8. “Should collecting agents be appointed in different parts of the Slate; and if so, what wages should they receive This was left to the discretion of tho Superintendent, but the meeting advised against enqiloying and paying agents. 1). “Should the Chairman of County Com missioners and Masters of Lodges be author ized to accept and forward orphans f’ Deci ded in the affirmative, but under such instruc tions from the Superintendent as he may be pleased to give. The preuaratiou and print ing of suitable forms of admission, to prevent imposition, was recommended. 10. It was decided, unanimously, that you should continue in the position of Superin tendent—that the public having the fullest confidence iu your integrity, zeal and good jiigmeut, might lose confidence in the success Form ot twenty-live children. 2nd. The Suporiiitendent shall control every de])iirtment of tne Institution according to tlie instructions of tho Grand Lodge, receive and aid in the Collection of funds and siqiplies for its suppoil, and make at each Grand Cotn- mnnication a full reiiort of receipts and dis bursements. 3rd. Tho Steward shall exercise a general oversight of tho children, premises and property, and the operations of every depart ment, keep the books and enforce tho orders of the Superintendent. 4ih. Tlie Matron shall see that the rooms, bed-clothing and persons of the children are kept in a neat, clean and comfortable condi tion, and that the sick are properly attended. 5th. The House-keeper shall, under the direction of the Matron, see that the meals are properly prepared, and that nothing is lost or wasted. Gth. The 'J’eachers shill bo prompt, faith ful and efficent in tho discharge of all th“ir school-room .duties, and shall constantly exer cise a general siqiorvision of the manners and morals of tlie children. 7th. The Superintendent .shall appoint the suliordinate officers, and remove the incom petent and nnworth;. He shall be elected by ballot, annually, by the Grand Lodge, and shall, if found unfaithful, after a careful and jiersonal exainatioii, be removed by the Grand Master anI Wardens, tir a majority of them, vvlio, in such case, shall submit a report of their action, with a full record of the evi dence taken on both sides, to the next Grand Lodge. 8th. The salaries 0''th'oTcts shall b • as follows: The Superintendent, $90 a month, his necessary travelling expenses, with bed and board while at the Asylum; and the })resont Superintendent shall receive $90 per month and his travelling expenses from July 1st, to December lst.'1873. The Steward $50 a month with bed and board for himself and wife. The Matron and Teac.hers $25 a month with bed and board. The House keeper, $10 a month witli bed a and board. 9th. The design of the Orphan Asylum shall be to protect, train and educate indi gent and ])roniising grphan children, to be received between the ages of G and 12 years, wlio liave no parents, nor property, mirnear relations able to assist them. Tlioy shall not bo receivetl for a sliorter time than two years. Ill extraordinary cases the Superintendent may receive children outside the ages specified. 10th. The larger girls .shall assist in the ordinary house work, and in making and mending the bed clothes, their own clothes and the clothes of the boys. Tho larger boys shall assist in the preparation of fuel, tlie care of tlic stock, and the cultivation of ihe soil. ilth. At least four religious denominations shall bo represented among tho oflictirs of the Asylum, and the representatives of all reli gious creeds and of ail politcial parties shall be treated alike. Tho Institution shall be conducted on tho cash system, and its operations enlarged or curtailed according to the funds received. Resolved, That One Thousand Dollars be appropriated out of the Treasury of this Grand Lodge for the maintenance of the Or phan Asylum, to be drawn on the requisition of the Superintendent, approved by the Grand Master. Wm. G. HILL, j 11. W. HARDIE, ^ . C. A. CILLEY, f CHAS. C. CLARK. J Bro. Tourgee introduced the following wliich was adopted: dinate Lodge appoint a Standing Committee upon raising funds for the Orplian A.sylum, and require said Committee to report in writing each month, and that said reports and tlic funds received be forwarded mo nlily to tbo Superintendent of the Asylum, and that the support of tlie Orphan Asylum he a regular order of business in each subordinate Lodge at each Coininunicatiou. Bro. J. PI. Mills introduced the following resolutions which were read and unanimously adopted; Resolved, That tho sincere thanks of this Grand Lodge are hereby tendered to may be nevolent ladies and gentlemen, to tho minis ters of the Gospel, to churches of various de- dominations, Odd Fellews, Knights of Pythias, Good Templars, Friends of Teniperauee and other benevolent societies, whose hearty coop eration and liberal contributions have rendered timely and valuable assistance iu the great work of ameliorating the condition of the or phan children of the State. Resolved, That all benevolent so(deties ttnd individuals are hereby cordially invited and re quested to cooperate with us in providing funds and supplies for feediiig, clothing and edu cating indigent and promising orphan children at the Asylum in Oxford. From the foregoing legislation it appears that the Orphan Asy lum was designed to be a place of refuge, where poor and promising ylum is ill iKuiiist and fuitliful. find tliat ths 1 hands. WELVlX E. CARTER, 1 J H. COOK, I THOMAS wunn, j.cian. . .7AMES. S. BATTLE, WM. R. COX, by sections and Resolved, That the Master of each subor- school, and be trained and pre pared for the duties of geo 1 and useful citizens. It is not an “Or phans’ Home,” or place of perma nent residence ; it is not a hospi tal for the sick and disabled, nor a nursery for infants. It is not open to deserted children, lest un feeling parents should be thereby encouraged to abandon their off spring. Neither is it (as many seem to suppose) a reservoir in which the ragged and dirty are collected and washed and distrib uted among those in greatest need of servants. EXTRACTS FROM THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GRAND LODGE IN DEC. 1874. To the Most Worshipful Gi-and I^odge of North CaroUnr. Your Committee to whom were referred that portion of the Grand Master’s Address as relates to tlie. Orplian Asylniu, and the report of the Suiierintendeiit thereof, beg leave to submit the following report: 1. A majority of the committee advise the acceptance of the property in Madison county so generously tendered by the Trustees of Mars Hill College, and recommend the estab lishment of a. branch of the Orphan Asylum at Mars Hill, [provided that the title to the same shall be given ia fee,'or if that can not be obtained, then in the event that it liecoines necessary to surrender this property to the grantor, the Grand Lodge shall have the op tion of surrendering tlie property to the do nors, or retain and dispose ot the same upon paying the sum of $1,000.] riio committee suggest as a basis of organization for the Asy lum at Mars Hill, the plau of organization adopted at the last Grand Communication for ; tlie Oxford Asylum ; provided that the two Asylums shall be under the control of one Superintendent. The salary of the officers of the Mars Hill Asylum shall be fixed by tho Superintendent, not to exceed that prescribed for the officers of the Oxford Asylum. In or der to provide funds for the support of the Ox ford and JLirs Hill Asylums, we advise that fifteen hundred dollars be appropriated out of the Treasury of this Grand Lodge for the purpose mentioned, to be drawn on therequi- .‘^ition of the Superintendent, approved by the Grand Master; and further, that the Treas urer shall be directed to make temporary loans to tho Superintendent, of any'funds of the Grand Lodge iu his hands, from time to time as the necessities of the Asylums may require. 2. A majority of the Committee are of opinion with the Superintendent as to the im portance of a weekly jiaper iu the interests of the institution. They are satisfied, upon con sideration, that such a paper could be made almost, if not tuite, self-supporting, in a very siiort time ; and for the reasons assigned by the Superintendent, they can not doubt that it wmuld prove a most valuable aid in the great work we have in charge. 3. The Committee fully concur iu the sug gestions of J3ro. Mills in his report in regard to lotteries, gift concerts, tec., and recommend his views to tho favorable consideration of the brethren of the Grand Lodge. The Committee have given to tho report of receipts and disbursouieiu&, ];\ Bri, Jlills, as careful an exaininatiou as the cir cumstances would permit, and are fully satis- Considered adopted. Bro. L. H. DeRosset introduced j the following resolution, which was read and adopted : Resolned, That this Grand Lodge recoin mend to each Subordinate Lodge to subscribe t) tho paper authorized to be published at tho O.xford Orplian Asylum under the supervis ion of the Superintendent thereof, as being the official record of that great Masonic charity. In January, 1875, the Mars Hill Orjjhan Asylum was opened and during the year of its contin uance there was not a case ot se rious sioknes. EXTRACTS FROM THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GRAND LODGE IN DEC. 1875. The Special Committee on the Orphan Asylums made their re port, which was read and adopted. To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of North Carolina : Your Committee, to whom was referred that portion of the Grand Master’s Address, which relates to the Oxford and Mars Hill Orplian Asylums, cordially approve liis suggestions, and commend the zeal ho has manifested in their be half. From the report of the Super intendent, Bro. J. II. Mills, which was likewise referred to this Com mittee, they are gratified to see that the orphan work has been so successfully prosecuted, and that t’.iese institutions have been the instruments of alleviating much suffering, rescuing from misfor tune and crime many of the un protected and destitute children of «ur beloved State, and placing the means within their reach of becoming useful and valuable members of societ}'. They are gratified to discover from this report that some of our leading institutions of learning propose to receive and educate, gratuitously, a limited number of the riiost promising and intelli gent of these children, provided they _ are supplied with suitable clothing andbooks. The Committee, therefore, re commend; 1st, the acceptance of tliese generous propositions and that tlie Superintendent, with the approval of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, be authorized to make suitable provisions for each j'ear not exceeding four such children, who may continue to be thus provided with clothing and books at the expense of the Asy lums, for not exceeding three years each. They likewise recommend that when cliurches, individuals or so cieties, are willing to aid in this benevolent work, by furnishing clothing, books and other expen ses as above suggested, tho Su perintendent, with the approval of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, be authorized and di rected to transfer from the Asy lums to such schools as may be preferred by such cliurches, per sons or societies, such child or children as may be thus provided for. 2d. They are gratified to hear of the success of the ■'■OrpluaiJ J'V'icMifi published at tile A.svIul. CConiirmed on fourth page“.) s
The Orphans’ Friend (Oxford, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
March 15, 1876, edition 1
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