CHURCH MISSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13518, 15 February 1906, Page 2

CHURCH MISSION.

8. MAItY'H ORPHANAGE. ANNUAL MKK'l'lN'tl. The annual meeting of tho Church Mission uti'd H. Mary's Orphuiuige, Dunedjn Diocesan Deaconesses' institute, was held at tho Orphanage, I,eitli street, yesterday afternoon. The Aleut llev. the I'riinate presided, and some 30 ladies and gentlemen »r« prewnt. Apologies for absence were iwolvd from (lie Yen. Archdeacon fleauniont, Rev. A, Ncild. Kev. W. Ciirzoii-Sigifers. Mr Joachim, awl olhew. ' The Von. Archdeacon Hobimou opened proceedings with prayer. Tho I'nmate, in hi# oiiening reimirh, said it was tho Ofsential character of a Deaconesses' Institute that it should lie the place of abode of tlioso who devoted their lives to works of mercy and philanthropy, for reception f or |} l(> : ;( . connected with their work, anil generally for tho. promotion of those remedial and other efforts undersloutl jo be the work of dcaconcssis In fostering, as he ho|>ed they would do more and more as lime went on, such an institution as the Dimedin Diocesan Doacomwes' Institute and enlarging its scope, they wcrt' not oblivious in tho smallest degree to the efforts of others to do similar work, and they acknowledged that a great deal was dono outside in kindred institutions or through the medium of private labours. For example, there were the nurses of the Hospital, whose work was of a most noble and Christian charaelor, and should always ho admired and supported. While the work of the hospital nurse was kindred to that of tho deaconess, it. was, however, of a special character, whereas the deaconess laid herself out for work .of every kind, her work being limited only liy the needs around her, to all of which she endeavoured to administer. The deaconess had a grnnl ntriely of work to do, and the Deaconesses' Institute should embrace so far as possible every class of work that was required of it in the community, and therefore features of their work were prison and hospital visitation, and he laid stress on their remedial work, as it might be called, and then there was (lie matter of visitation and comforts for tho sick and the extending of sympathy unto such as required it, often under dilllcult and trying circumstances. Assistance was also lent to the various parish churches. 1 Thus their institution was not limited to any particular class of work, and, ns would readily be seen, there ivas necessity for a considerable of workers, ns thc-y desired to differentiate as much as possible in the different classes of work and allow deaconesscs to specialise to some extent. There were, be was glad to Fay, one or two who had made up their minds to help them, but moro were wanted. And they must also have more funds, and in this tho support of the good people of Duncdin. In concluding, lie would just remark that the reason there existed so many philanthropic institutions not, conucctcd with religion, as theirs definitely was, was due in his opinion largely to the fact that ill the past the Church had not always been faithful to her task. The eighteenth ccntury was a century of ileadncss, in which the Church did not, exert herself. But lie thought they could all feel that all works of a charitable and remedial kind should have the solemnising and sanctifying influences of tho Church connected with tlicm. He was sure, as time went on and jjeoplc saw the work done in their institute they would before long find it possible to considerably extend their operations.— (Applause.) Sister Ernestine then read tho annual report, from which the following extracts are taken: — Church Mission Work for 1900.—This year we tire milking a. change which we trust will bo helpful. Wo aro receiving a lady as an associate worker, to help in tlic teaching and oversight of the children. Those not in Uniterm are not much holp to parish work, hut there arc many ways they can be used in tho community. This arrangement will set Sister May free for parochial duties; and the archdeacon has released the Sister Superior, and will recoive Sister May in her place. That the superior of an institution should be tree from routine parish work sccmo to he an understood thing elsewhere, end wo feci sirre this step wilfmcot with tho approval of many of our friends, Wc have the pleasant task of tendering our grateful thanks to the many friends who iiavo shown their interest and sympathy with us (luring the 3'cnr. Especially we should like to mention, the clergy, who from time to time have officiated in our chapel—namely, the Yen. Archdeacon Itoliinsnn, Cnnou Mayne (who conducted such a helpful Quiet Day for cliurcliwoikers early in the year), the Revs. 0. W. Harding. E. Ward. W. A. Beaven, W. 11. Woodthorpe, Wynler, Blathwayt, W, Woodhounc, 11. 13. Jones, C. CI. Biddle, J. R. Hcwhmd, H 11. Bedford, and Messrs Blnlhwayt and P.iratii oi Selwyn College, the officers of liio public institution which we visit, the chaplains oi the gaoi, by whose kind courtesy and arrangement we were enabled to hold our carol service in the prison chapel on Christmas morning, die Ministering Children's League (per Miss Jt. Williams) for providing a counliy holiday -or sick city children, also to the Victoria Jubilee Convalescent Society tper Mrs Johnston Brown) foi like help given to grown-up people, '.he kind donors of hook? and papers for distribution, and last, but not least, to our chaplain, the licv. Alfred Nciid, for his ever ready help and interest in all tho concerns of our work and onr coniiirimiy. S. Mary's Orphanage and Children's Home. —H is within lb? memory of all. hov: in October, 1901. the children of S. Mary's Orphanage, Bishopiigrove, were transferred to their new heme, and to (lie care of the sisters of the Deaconesses' Institute: and since then tho numbers have increased and the applications for admission have been many, and we aro glad to say that we have refused none but a baby under age. And in the first year of its altered conditions, S. Mary's Orphanage has been orphaned indeed, in the passing away of its beloved foundress, by whose loving generosity so many children, now grown up and making Ihcir own way in (he world, have bwu cherished and cared for. May wc who are now called to tend and train these li((le ones he always mindful of Ihe sacred charie committed to us, and strive to be worthy of it. At the present time the inmates number 18. The numbers have varied during tho year. On two different occasions wc have taken in clulddren whilo their mothers have been ill, to enable those mothers to have proncr medical attendance and skilled mining in the hospital; hut these children, of course, we do not count among our regular inmates. We do not take ill infants, but receive those of age needing moral control, and the present ages in ilio home range from anything between 2} and 1-1. There seenvs so little to report, for our visitors are so many that not much that is not already known can be here recorded; but v;e should like to say a few words on one or two point-, on which there may exist some misapprehension. Firstly, this house is not church property; it has been taken on a seven years' lease at a high rent, it being the only available habitation at the lime of our receiving the children; and for that rent, its well as for the general niaintcnance.of the the orphanage wo aro dependent on the generosity of the D'uncciin public. Arid here it may be said in passing that- tho present condition of things is not an ideal one—namoly, combining in ono house two totally different spheres of ivork. To train women for the holy cflico of deaconess, to give tlieto the requisite (juict for study, preparation of lessons, leisure for tievotion and instruction, there ought to bo a separate house; whilo tho branch work in 'lie care of o sister-iu-chargc. and under tile supervision and control of the superior and officer* of the mother liouEe, would be much more advantageous. Then a disintegration of cur work such as was caused by tho outbreak of scarlet fover would be a thing impossible, lint we know that lack of funds and lack of sufficient and efficient workers make any other than the present arrangements out of our reach.' Secondly, we arc so often asked through the telephone or by letter if we send our orphans out to domestic service that wc'think » few words on tho subject will not be out of place here. We are giving the children training in soul, mind, and body to the best of our ability. None of tho childron aro yet past the requisite standard which enables them to lcavo school, though they were making great strides in tho schoolroom when the unfortunate outbreak of illness entirely upset onr regime for some months. We believe in specialists in every department of work, and have no desire to send forth too yonng, and therefore untrained girls. Wo want thorn to he efficient and apt, and able to fill a definite place among the world's workers; c.nd a child of IS is, or ought to be, still only.si child, with powers and possibilities just on the eve of definite development; and this, too, will be an ultimate advantage to those for whom they work, in whatever lino of employment they may show themselves most fitted. W> think we can honestly say the children are healthy ttnd happy; we know they are a great pleasure to us. and a source of hope too. We have friends innumerable-friends who, through Mrs Gall and Jfis3 Paulin, keep our large family shod in strong boots and stocking?—friends who. all through the year, play the part of Santa Clans, and send us cake, jam, and toys. We cannot mention flietn a'l (reference to our list of acknowledgments will ?how how numerous they are), but there are others without whom the burden of responsibility would fall very heavily on us. We refer to our hon. physician, Dr Stanley Bachelor, who. a!l through the long anxious weeks of sioknesa and death imd enforced quarantine, was unceasing in his visits and advice to us. We regard to our financial condition, wo have always been most fortunate in o".r treasurer!. The Rev. W. CurzonSiggerV genius for finance is a proverb, and his successors—Mr C. D. Arlidgo and our prepfiit hon. treasurer, Mr J. X. Ritchie—have shown themselves eminently successful. In conclusion, we a»k your continued support and sympathy, and above all we ask your intercessions for ourselves mid for the liltis rjjw ujtder I oitr cu9i

Tho Primnto said ho was quite sure these most interesting reports they had just heard would l» roeeived with gratification by all the members of tho institution. No words of his could express tho appreciation of memlwrs of the beautiful manner in which tho reports had boon drawn up and read, and lie was sure they would adopt (hem with great pleasure and readiness. Mr .1. 11. Ritchie said lie had groat plcnsuro in moving tho adoption of tho reports. Kveryone would agree with tho I'rimate that they must commend themselves to the whole of the members of tho institution, and to the friendly ahd kindly consideration of everybody 'who took an interest, or might !» brought to take an interest in the institution. He need not say more, except to express his satisfaction tit. tho outcome of the. year's work and tho hope tlmt next year it would be even more mirce-sful. Mr .las. Allen, M.11.R., seconded tho motion. lie quite agreed they could say nothing t lint would add to tho report*—in fact, it would only spoil them. They would ho bcit left as they were to the members nml the public, and would encourage in the public mind sympathy with the work. The reports wore adopted. Tlie Veil. Archdeacon liobinson moved a vole of thanks, in which he was sure all would join, to the, past committee and lion. tmisuror, Mr Ritchie, The duties of treasurer had been by no means carried out in a perfunctory manner, and he was surprised to find the finance in such a satisfactory slate. Considering the troubles that had beset (he institution, it, must bo a mallei 1 for great thankfulness to llietn that Iliev had been able to pay their way and have a substantial balance 011 the rightful'- 1 . As the report showed. were in a moro than satisfactory condition. The institution oucd a great, ileal to Mr Hilelnc—not only for the care lie bad taken of the finances, but for tho work be bad undertaken outside the treasui'<!ivdii|). Mr 0. 0, (Irahain, in seconding the motion, said they all knew if there was any trouble it could only lw got over by considerable energy on the part, of tomo person willing to undertake the work, and the result of the year's operations showed how much they were indebted to the committee, and particularly to their worthy treasurer, Afr fiiteliie. The motion was carried. Tho I'rimate explained lluil there was one vacancy in the old committee caused by the removal of the Kev. Canon Mayne to tho North "Island, and on the motion of tho Kev. Canon Kin;.', the committee of last year—the Yen. Archdeacon liobinson, .tho Revs. K. Ward, A. NieUl, Messrs Win. Burnett, J. M. Ritchie. (!eorgo Joachim, Mrs -I. M. Ritchie, Mrs Henry Williams, Mrs Robinson, Mis Jas. Allen, Mrs Gray, Miss Williams, and Miss Merchant—was reelected, and the Rev. R, A. Woodthorpe was appointed in place of tho Rev. Canon Mayne. The Primate having pronounced the benediction, the meeting terminated.