An Appeal for the Orphans and the Aged
By G. C. Tenney
What Shall Be Done for Our “Homes”?
The James White Home for Aged, and the Haskell Home for Orphans and Dependent Children, have been a blessing to hundreds of those whom the Lord has committed to our care. They have provided shelter and home privileges to many who had nowhere else to go. They have so far been sustained by the donations of the friends of the friendless, who have each year contributed just what was necessary for the sustenance of the Homes and their inmates. It has been regarded as something providential that each year, by close economy, the committee has been able to carry on these institutions without incurring indebtedness. Last spring the misfortune of fire deprived the Haskell Home of its lighting and heating and laundry plant. Through the summer it did without these, but they had to be replaced in the fall, and the cost was three thousand dollars more than the insurance money. It was necessary to take this money out of the maintenance fund. It was hoped that in view of the misfortune, the last semiannual offering would be sufficiently increased to make up for this loss. Instead of this, the offering was cut in two, and about half the usual amount was sent in. A long, severe winter has followed, and bills have been contracted which are unpaid and unprovided for. The children and aged people and their teachers and guardians are in need. The winter is not yet gone, and it will be some time before food can be gathered from the ground. The treasury is empty, and those who have the work in hand are distressed to know what to do. They have asked me to write this appeal, which I do in the name of Him who is the Father of the fatherless. Contributions of food or of cash are urgently needed. There is a family of one hundred children with their teachers, and nearly forty aged people with their guardians, to be cared for. What shall be done with these dear ones? Let the love of Christ constrain your answer in this matter. The managers do not ask to be set free from care and anxiety, but they do ask that the hand of sympathy and co-operation shall still be extended to them in caring for our own institutions. It will make their hearts glad to receive your responses. The regular time for the semiannual offerings for these Homes is the first Sabbath in April. It is earnestly hoped that at that time our people will consider the poor, and make a generous offering. It will be difficult to wait for that time to come before receiving some relief, so any who may have ready help at hand will please send it in at once. Donations may be sent to the Haskell Home, Battle Creek, Mich.