Bethel Orphanage Notes.
The girls of Bethel Orphanage are so delighted with their dolls, a gift
from a man in Binghamton. They never had such large and lovely dollies, and are having grand times sewing
for them, dressing them, and loving them. I guess we all can remember the days when dollies meant a lot to
us. As we look at this row of girls, we think of interesting stories connected with each of them. Most of
them did not come to us the lady-like, neat apprearing, and bright little kiddies that you can see in this
picture, but came much in need of a home, of a mother's love and a mother's care. Some were brought from
very unsanitary homes, where the wood was cut and piled in the living room. Again, dirty quilts and clothes
would be found lying in the rooms, on the floors. Some children had been so poorly cared for and
under-nourished that the doctor pronounced them on the verge of tuberculosis, and demanded for them an
immediate change. One of these little girls was left here one day when the matron was away. The people who
brought her were moving, and evidently did not wish to take her. So this deserted, scared little kitten,
as it were, was dropped at our door. The people said they would be back and explain, but it was over two years
before anything was found out about any relatives at all of the child. But this little kiddie was not
scared or deserted long, for the friendly doors of Bethel Orphanage swung open, and Mamma Outman's arms
were open just as wide, and soon the little stary kitten was one of the happy, well cared for girls of
the home. Two little sisters are in the picture, one of whom was brought here a tiny baby, with no father,
and alas, a mother who held no mother love, no thought of good and right in her heart for her children.
They, too, are now very happy here, and are very changed girlies. Some of the parents of these girls have
deserted them, some are not living, and some are not able to care for them.
Two little folks, who look so happy here, were very disappointed one day,
shortly after they came, when some of their relatives came, as they supposed, to take them. They cried, as
they told them that they didn't want to go back, did not want to ever leave the Orphanage.
Our children are now getting along well in school, several are taking piano
lessons; and at the home. How they enjoy getting together and learning bible verses and new songs. And they
are so pleased with the wonderful bible stories which never can grow old, that are often read to them. And
the old songs, the rough language, etc., that they brought with them soon drop off and are forgotten.
Now friends, what is your verdict? Does this work pay? Is it all worth while?
Just seeing them so happy; seeing the great transformation in them and knowing that they love their home,
well repays those who are laboring for them. And so often they wish that they could do more. I suppose our
readers know about the new barn that Daddy Outman has been building to keep our cows and pigs in.
The children need and must have lots of milk if they are properly nourished; and the cows have to have a
place. Wouldn't you like to feel that you have helped us to have this barn which will shelter the cows
supplying the Orphanage with milk? Wouldn't you like to begin to do your part to help these kiddies? Not
what some one else is doing, but what you are able to do. Would you like to know that these faces were made
brighter and wore a happier smile because you did your bit to help them? We have appreciated very much all
the help that we have received from interested friends in the past; but somehow we believe that some will read
this who never thought that they had a part to do, but left it to the other fellow, who they felt was so
much more able to.
During the past year this work has been making great strides. A new bathroom
has been installed, also stationary laundry tubs, a large new bake oven has been purchased, and the new
barn is now nearly completed. We are looking forward with great anticipation to the building of the boys'
dormitory, which work we expect to resume next spring, for we must enlarge to properly care for all the
homeless children who come to us from this county.
We hope to clear the debt of $450, for our new barn and our bake oven, by
the offerings from those who are interested, by the first of the new year. We feel sure that Santa Claus will
remember these dear little children and meet this need for them.
Auto loads have visited the Home recently from Addison, Painted Post,
Arnot, Raymond, Genessee and Cowanesque.
We received a nice box of game not long ago from the Westfield fish and
game club. The children enjoyed it very much. We have appreciated the sewing that the ladies of Round Top
and other places near here have been doing for the children, also the liberal donations that Round Top, Farmington and
other places have sent for our barn and oven fund. We also received a large box of canned fruit from the
Presbyterian church, of Farmington Hill.
We wish to thank every one that helped us to have so enjoyable a
Thanksgiving day and we were very glad that all the children were well and could enjoy it. We wish to thank the
donors of the chickens, pies, cakes, bananas, sugar, canned fruit, popcorn and apples that helped to make up our
Thanksgiving dinner. The children invited some of their little friends in for dinner to make it seem more
like a holiday and a special occasion. In the afternoon the children played many games and then we all took part
in a short Thanksgiving service at the Home. The children sang some of their pretty little songs and
thanked the Lord for remembering their needs; then they enjoyed an interesting Thanksgiving story.
The children have already begun their letters to Dear Old Santa Claus
telling him everything large and small that they want him to bring them at Christmas time. Beginning next
week, we will insert some of these letters in our notes.
|