North Carolina Newspapers

111! the OHl'HAM WOlSK. In 18G8, tlie ])romises, known as St. Jolin’s College, were sold at auction, and bought by E. W. Best, Grand Master of Masons. During the same year the pur chase money was collected by Rev. J. L. Carroll, and the deed ivas made to the Grand Lodge. Rine Directors were appointed to oonti'ol the property and to use the same for a male school, a fe male school, or Orphan Asylum. HXTR.'VCTS FllOM THE I’ROCEEDIXGS or THE GRAND LODGE IS DEC. 1872. Bi'O. J. T. Littlejohn, President of the Board of Directors of St. John’s College, submitted a re port as follow's, which ivas read and accepted ; To the Most Worshi^ifid Grand l.odge of North Carolina: Th(' Board of Directors of St. John’s Col lege regret to report that they have iailcd to make any arrangements in ustablisliing a school in this institution. After advertising for proposals to lea.so tl'.e property for a male or female school or college, they received hut mio application. The terin.s upon which the College was offered to this person, to-wit. $500 per auumn, was deciined on the ground that the rent was too high. The Board has put the building in charge of a competent gentleman, who resides on the premise!?, and supervises the property and pays a small rent. The buildings are now iii a good state of pres* ervation. liespectfully and fraternally submitted, JAS. T. LIT'rLEJOHN, President. Bro. C. A. Cilloy, J. G. W., in troduced the following resolution : liesolved, That the Grand Lodge appoint three Commissioners who shall fn'occed to ad vertise and sell St. John’s College, cither at public or private sale, to the State or to any person or persons, on such terms as they may think best, i-eporting their action to the next Grand Lodge, in order that they may there receive, further instructions as to the dispusi- lieii of the proceeds of sale. Bro. J. H. Mills presented the following us a substitute tor said resolution : liesolval, 1. Tli.it St. J.>hiTs College siwll ho uuule an asylum for the protection, train ing and education (.)t uuligeiit orjihan children. 2. That the Grand Lodge will appropriate auiuially for the support I'f the insti tution., but will not assume any additional pe cuniary responsibility. 3. That this Grana-Lodge elect a Snperiu- ter.dent who shall control the institution and solicit contributions for its support from ail classes of our people. 4. That orplian children in the said Asylum sliall be fed and clothed, and shall receive such preparatory training and education as will prepare them for useful occupations and for the usual business transactions of life. Pending discussion, the Grand Lodge proceeded to the consider ation of the 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. H. Mills, the same was put and decided in the affirmative. Tiie proposition as thus amended was adopted. Several propositions to fill the blank in the 2nd resolution ivere submitted and rejected, when on motion of Bro. Sam’l A. Williams, Jive hundred dollars were inserted. On motion of Bro. R. H. Kings bury, Bro. J. H. Mills, of Kiileigh, was elected Superintendent of the Orphan- Asylum,, at Oxford. Bro. S. K Overby moved that the present Bocyrd 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 clared repealed, and the Grand Secretary was instructed to notitj’ each member of the said Board of Directors of this action. Bro. Clinton A. Ciliey, S. G. W., introduced tlie following res olution, which was I'ead and un animously adopted ; liesolced, That this Grand Lodge desires to express its appreciation of the zeal and earnestciess with vvhiuh the lioard of Directors of St. John’s Coilege have labored, both here and elsewhere, to advance the interests of that Institution. Bro, R. W. York introduced the following resolution, which ivas read and adopted : Nesolvcd, That the Superintendent of the s.aid Orphan Asylum shall renort at each An nual Communication an aceiuint of his olficial acts, receipts, disbursements, number of pu pils, &(*.., togetiier with such suggestions as he may see lit to offer. Ill Jaiiuaiy, 1873, the institu tion 'Auis opened for the reception oi orphans, and it was found that many ot them were in circum stances exceedingly humiliating and distressing. Some were even enslaved by those who had been recently released from slavery. Others were oppressed as if all the rights of humanity had ceased to exist. To release these suffer ers, to collect needed supplies, to decide the various problems al- wa}’s 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 queslious which had arisen, and also requested permis sion to resign in order that a suc cessor migiit be appointed, who could give hi.s entire time to the orphan wOfk. He received the following reply: Office of the Grand Ma.ster of ? Masons in North Carolina. ^ Baleigh, Juue 20, 1873. J. II. i'rliLLS, Siq)'t Orphan Asylum, Oxford, N. C. - My Dear Sir and Bkottifu At a roooiit nu'cting uf prominent and discreet Masons in Ibis city, a number t)f piM’plexing questions with ret'eroiicc to th'e inauageinent of St. John’s Orpliau Asylum were discussed and determined, as follows ; 3. “Sh.mld deserted children be admitted?’’' was decided in the negative. 4. “Should children having step fathers be admitted?” was also decided in the negative. 5. “Should deformed children be admitted?” This was left to the discretion of the Superin tendent. AYheii the deformity of such a character as to require extra attention, it was thought uuadvisable to admit the parties in the present condition of the Asylum. 7. Should hoys learn trades at 1110 Asy lum?” Decided in the negative, it being im practicable at this time to employ skilled me chanics in the various trades, erect suitable work-shops and purchase necessary tools. 8. “Should collectviig agouts be appointed in different parts of the State ; and if so, what wages should they receive ?” This was left to tlie discretion of the Superintendent, but the meeting advised against employing and paying agents. 9. “Shonbl the Chairman of County Com missioners and Masters of Lodges be author ized to accept and forward orphans ?” Deci ded in the alfinnativc, but uinler such instruc tions from the Superiuteudent as he may be pleased- to give. The preparation and jirint- iug 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 in yonr integrity, zeal and good judgment, might lose confidence in the success of this noble enterprise sliould you withdraw from the position assigned- you by the Grand Lodge. I "have the honor, most i*espectfnlly, to ap prise you of the action of the meeting on these important questions, and trust that it may as sist you somewhat in the arduous and respon sible labors which have been imposed- on- you by the Fraternity. ■\Vith high hopes for the success of the Asy lum, and a sincere regard for yourself, I am truly and fraternally, JOHN NICHOLS, Grand Master. This letter, except so far as it lias been modified by subsequent legislation of the Grand Lodge, or decisions of the Grand Slaster, is still considered binding. EXTRACTS I’ROM PROCEEDINGS THE GRAND LODGE IN DEC. 1873. The committee to whom ivas 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 3Xost Worshipful Grand Lodge of North Carolina: Yonr Coinmitte to wliom ivas referred the report of iiro. J. J-I. Mills on tlie Oi-phan Asylum, and such portion of fhe Grand .Mas ter’s address as relates thereto, beg leave ta report that they recommend the fttllowing so a basis of orgauizarioii for said Asylum : 1st. The ofiicei-s of the Asylum shall bo a Superintendent, a Steward, a Matron, a House-keeper and one Teacher for each Form of twenty-five children. 2nd. The Superintendent shall control every depannent of the Institution according to the instructions of the Grand Lodge, receive and aid ill the collection of funds and supplies for its support, iind make at each Grand Com munication a full report of receipts and dis bursements. 3rd. The Steward shall c.xercise a general ovebsiglit of the children, preinisefl and pro perty, and tile operations ofevery department, Itoep the books and cnlorco the orders of the Superintendoiit. 4th. The Matron shall see that the rooms, bed-clothing and persons of the children are kept in a neat, eloau, and coinfort.iblc condi tion, and that the sick are properly attended. 5th. The House-keeper shall, under the direction ot the Matron, see that the meal. are properly prepared, and that nothing is lost or wasted. (ith. The Teachers shall be prompt, faith ful and efficent iu the discharge of all their school-room duties, and shall constantly exer cise a general siqiervision of the manners and morals of the children. 5t.h. The Superintendent shall appoint the subordinate officers, and remove the incom petent and unworthy. He shall be elected by ballot, anuually, by the Grand Lodge, and shall, iffound unhiithful, after a careful and personal exainathui, be removed by thy Grand Master and Wardens, or a majority of them, who, in such cases, shall submit a report of their action, with a full record of the evidence taken on both sides, to the next Grand Lodge. ■ 9tli. The design of the Orphan Asylum sliall be to protect, train and educate indigent and promising orphan children, to be received between the ages of G and 12 years, who have BO parents, nor property, nor near relations able to assist them. They shall not be re ceived for a shorter time than two years. In extraordinary cases tlie Siiporinteiidont may receive cliil.iren outside the ages specified. lOtb. 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. The larger boys shall assist in the preparation of fuel, the care of the stuck, and the cultivation of the soil. 11th. Atleastfour relgious deriuihinatious shall be represented among the officers of the Asylum, and the representatives of all reli gious creeds and of all political parties shall be treated alike. The Institution shall be conducted on the cash system, and its operations enlarged or curtailed according to the funds received. wm. g hill, 1 R. W. HARDIE, ' w e. A. GILLEY, f CHAS. C. CLARK, J Bor. Toui-gee introduced the following which was adopted : liesolved, That the Master of each subor dinate Lodge appoint a Standing Committee upon raising funds for the Orphan Asylum, and require said Committee to report in writ ing each month, and that said reports and the funds received be forwarded monthly to the Superintendent of the Asylum, and that the support of the Orphan Asylum be a regular order of business in each subordinate Lodge at each Cominunication. Bro. J. H. Mills introduced the following resolutions wdiioh were read and unanimously adopted : Eesolved, That the sincere thanks of this Grant! Lodge are hereby tendered to may be nevolent ladies and gentlemen, to the minis ters of the Gospel, to churches of various de nominations, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Good Templars, Friends of Temperance and other benevolent societits, whose hearty coop eration and liberal contributions have rendered timely and valuable assistance in the great work of ameliorating the condition of the or phan children of the' State. Resolved, That all benevolent societies and iudivid.uals are hereby cordially invited and re quested to cooperate with us in providing funds and supplies fur feeding, clothing ane edu cating indigent ;ind promising orphan children at the Asylum in Oxford. From tlie foregoing legislation it appears tliat the Orphan Asy lum was designed to be aplace of refuge, where poor and promising orphans may find a teniporary school, and be trained and pre pared for the duties of good and useful citizes. 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 iu which the ragged and dii'ty are collected and washed and distrib uted among those in greatest need of servants. EXTRACTS FROM THE PROCEEDING.S OE THE GRAND LODGE IN DEC; 1874. To the Most VAorshipful Grand Lodge of North Carolina. Your Committco to whom where referreJ that portion uf the Grand blaster’s Address wliich relates to the Orphan Asylum, and the report of the Superintendent thereof, beg leave to submit the following report: 2. A majority of the Committee are of opin ion with the Superintendent as to the impor tance of a weekly paper in the intere.sts of the institution. They are satisfied, upon consid eration, that such a paper could be m.ade al most, if Dut quite self-supporting, in a very short lime ; and tor the reasons assigned by the Suporintcudenf, they dan not doubt that it would prove a most valuable aid in the great work we have in charge. 3. The Committee fully concur in the sug gestions of Brt). Mills in hi.s repoit in regard to lotteries, gift concerts, &e., and recommend his views to the favorable consideration uf the brethren of the Grand Lodge. MELVIN E. CARTER, j J. H- COOK, I THOMAS WEBB, J- Cora. JAMES S. BATTLE, | WM. R. COX, J Considered by sections and adopted. Bro. L. H. DoRosset introduced the following resolution, which was read and adopted: Resolved, That this Grand Lodge recom mend to each subordinate Lodge to subscribe to the paper authorized to be published at the Oxford Orpoan Asylum under the supervision of the Superintendent thereof, as being fbe official record of that great Masonic charity. In January, 1875, the Mars Hill Orphan Asylum was opened and during the year of its contin uance there tvas not a case of se rious sickness. EXTRACTS FROM THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GRAND LODGE IN DEC. 1876. 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 Orphan Asylums, cordially approve his suggestions, and commend the zeal he has manifested in their behalf. From the report of the Super intendent, Bro. J. 11. Mills, which was likewise referred to this Com mittee, thej' are gratified to see that the orphan work has been so successfully prosecuted, and that these institutions have been the instruments of alleviating much suffering, rescuing from misfor tune and crime many of the un protected and destitute children of our beloved State, and placing the means witliin their roach of becoming useful and valuable members of society. Tlioy are gratified to discover from this report that some of our leading institutions of learning proposed to receive and educate; gratuitously, a limited number of the most promising and intelli gent of tliese cliildren, provided they are supplied with suitable clothing and books. 2d. Tliey are gratified to hear of the success of the “Orphans' Friend," published at the Asylum! at Oxford, and recognizing it as a valuable auxiliary to the work; earnesth' recommended its pat ronage to every mason within this jurisdiction. 3d. It having been called ta flieir attention that there are large areas of territory, in which there are no Lodges, and where it has proved impossible to interest the people in the oi'phan work, by the means hitherto employed; they recommend the establish ments in all such localities, or Or phan Aid Societies, under such rules, regulations and restrictions as may be prescribed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master. 4th. The present plan for rais ing funds from the Subordinate Lodges, for the support of the’ Asylums, is believed to lie as effi cacious as any they can suggest; and needs only to be carried out faithfully to guarantee success.- They, therefore, advise no addi tional legislation, but recommend that the Most Worshipful Grand Master use all legitimate niean;i- t o induce the Lodges aforesaid ta appoint active and diligent com mittees, as provided by this Grand- Lodge, and to see that they dis-’ charge their responsible duties. 5th. They respectfully rocom-' mend the appropriation of two” thousand dollars towards the sup port of the Orphan As3dums for the current (Masonic) j’ear, and that the Grand Treasurer be in structed to pay the same, in monthly installments, upon the warrant of the Superintendent. Gth. They would respectfully urge the erection of a permanent endowment fund, for the support- of the As3dums, and to this end suggest that all committees agents- or others, soliciting and receiving' contributions for a temporary sup-' port, be authorized and requested- to receive any land, notes or' other securities, given for tins' purpose, and that as such land,- notes or other securities are from’ time to time received, tlie same’ shall be accounted for and turned- over to the Grand Treasurer, who' shall hold the same subject to the further orders of this Grand Lodge, and that tlie Most Wer- shipful Grand Master be requested to bring this subject prominently before the public in order to ac complish this desigli. We heartily recommend these’ institutions to the kindest consid eration of oiir brethren, and tlie’ people of the State, hoping- they may receive the support they so richly merit, and under the bless ings of the Supreme Grand Mas ter, prove the fostering motlier of nianv’more of the destitute and- unfoi tunate of cur land. Wh R. Cox, John Nichols, R. V. Blackstcck, N. L. SiiAw, Z. M. Paschall, ’i ConK- J s.