METHODIST ORPHANAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15489, 22 December 1913, Page 5

METHODIST ORPHANAGE.

FIRST IN DOMINION.

OPENED AT MOUNT ALBERT.

AN ANONYMOUS GIFT

The first Methodist orphanage'' in New Zealand, an anonymous gift, was opened at Mount Albert* on Saturday afternoon by Mrs. A. C. Caughey, in the presence of a very large number of persons. 'I ho Rev. George- Bond, chairman of tho Auckland district, presided over the ceremony. Several apologies for the absence of prominent persons wero read out.. " A Red-letter Day." " This is an auspicious occasion," said the Rev. Mr. Bond in his address, "it is a red-letter day." It was tho beginning of a now departure for the Methodist Church of New Zealand. The gathering was made possible by the very generous and anonymous gift of two respected citizens of Auckland. The whole of New Zealand was indebted to tho lady and gentleman who had made the munificent gift. It was just 171 years ago that day since John Wesley laid the founda-tion-stone of the Orphan House on New-castleon-Tvne. The foundation-stone was laid amidst great rejoicings on the one hand and very considerable doubt and misgivings on tho other. The people did not know where the money was coining from with which to carry out John Wesley's scheme. The cost of the building was to bo £700, and towards that sum John Wesley bad 26s in his pocket. But he was a daring man, and went straight ahead with the work. The orphanage which they were opening represented an asset to the Methodist Church of about £4000, and, thanks to tho donors, it was being opened without one penny of debt. The house was being furnished by a committee of ladies representing the various Methodist churches oi the city and suburbs. _ Some substantial promises had been received-for the maintenance of the orphanage. The speaker paid a compliment to the honorary architect, Mr. A. H. White, for the largo amount of time and energy he had put into the scheme. The committee was very grateful to him. They wore exceeding]) fortunate in'having been able to appoint the Rev. J. and Mrs. Blight to superintend tho institution. Mr. Bond referred to the great sympathy which the late Rev. O. E. Beecroft had with the movement for the establishment of an orphanage. Mr. White then presented a golden key to Mrs. Caughey who performed the opening ceremony amidst applause. Humanitarian Legislation. After the doors had been opened, and the building had been inspected, addresses were delivered by Mr. A. C. Caughey, and the Rev. 0 H. Garland, principal of the Theological College. • Mr. Caughey made reference to the various humane acts of Parliament which had been placed upon the Statute Book, and said that perhaps " none were benefiting more by this legislation than the children, especially such as were liorn to adversity. In addition to the work that the State was doing for the youth of the Dominion, most of tho great religious bodies had made, and were making, generous provision for orphan and destitute children. In • the Old Country, South Africa Canada, and the United States, the Methodist Church was doing great work for the children, and in New Zealand there were signs of improvement. WilhinHhe past few week* the Methodists of Christchurch had purchased a fine property at Papanui for the establishment of a children's home. , Mr, Caughey mentioned that the institution at Mount Albert benefited under the will of the late Mrs. Knox to the extent of £500, with accrued interest. Mrs. Caughey appreciated very sincerely tho honour o*T having been asked to pelform the opening ceremony.

Waiting for a Lead. Tlio Rev. C. H. Garland said he believed the Methodist Church in New Zealand had been waiting for a lead in the direction of establishing orphanages. They had admired the work which other churches had done, but there had been a profound sense of dissatisfaction amongst Methodists in the Dominion that they had not attempted similar work. The lead had come, and the act of that day was the expression of a great religious truth, which they needed to emphasise.