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A NOBLE CHARITY.LATINO THE CORN ER-8TONE OF THE WIDOWS' AND OLD MEN'S HOMEAT WALNUT HILLS.WIIAT THE SEALED BOX CONTAINS.rAADDRESSES BY jyDGE MALLON, JUDGE COLLLNS AND GEO. R. SAGE, ESQ. \The ceremony of laying the comer-stone of theWklows* anti Old Men’s Home, at Walnut Hills, took plaoe at 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon.A very pleasant aud interesting audience assembled, and all united in singing that grand old hymn, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” A very flue adtiress from Judge Mullon opened the ceremonies, who spoke as follows:Address of Judge Jlnllon.* * * Iii 1847. Mrs. Lyman Beecher and Mrs. Colonel Mansfield had their attention called to the needs of aged and indigent women. Rev. Horace Bushnell about this time called their attention to the unpleasant situation and surroundings of old, poor and respectable women in the Commercial Hospital—the then public poor-house. and the only provision made for the indigent. Other ladies became interested in the inquiry. It was discussed, and in April, 184r a meeting was called, at which the Asylum for Aged and Indigent Women was orcau-ized, with Mis. Beeeher, President; Mrs. Lawler, Treasurer, and Mrs. King, Secretary. And thus was established a quiet retreat for those who had no home, were poor, old and a widow—the Widows' Home, a noble charity, and generously has it been sustained by the citizens of Cincinnati.Tlie organization was feeble at first. It struggled on under the fostering care of these ladies, until, in May. 1851, when they obtained a charter from the Legislature of Ohio, and became a body corporate. Messrs Reeder, Burnet, Shillito and Mdx*an then donated ground for a house. Dr. Wesley Sinead devoted much time to the advancement * of the project—subscribed largely himself, and induced others to subscribe to a building fund, and 'in 1*lt;52 the building since known as the Widows’ Home was completed, ami occupied by tlipinmates that bad beenfathered together in the meantime. Many liberal eque.sts have been made, as a nucleus for an endowment fund, which is slowly increasing. The interest on this endowment fund, with the annual $5 dues of 250 subscribers and the donations of friends, have thus far, with the exercise of economy, enabled the managers to pay all current expenses. ■**.But the work has been carrieorm with great labor, amid difficulties and discouragements, the managers dismayed-at times at the numerous wants and demands upon .them. The number of inmates increased year by year. There are now forty-six being cared for in the Home. Since the Organization, one hundred and fifty have been admitted, seventy-five have died in and been buried from the house, lift ecu left to reside with friends, four were dismissed, three sent to tlie Lunatic Asylum: Borne of the inmates liuvo been inthe house twenty-seven, twenty-five, and twenty-three years. The oldest is over ninety-seven yearsof ago. For years tlie house has been full, every room occupied, and many worthy applicants refused for want of room. Borne years since It wa* contemplated to enlarge the house, but upon full consideration it was deemed advisable to obtain a new location, and build a new and larger house, friends promising to subscribe for that purpose, so as to leave the endowment fund unimpaired.In the meantime, the Old Men’s Home had been organized. They procured this site and offered one-half of it to the Widows’ Home, with the sug-said to surpass all other people in the deference aud care which they bestow upon their elders. I accept it as a criterion of one of the fine qua itiesof their civilization; and even when tarried to an excess, as it is in the worship they pay to the spirits of their ancestors after their death, it is a weakness akiu to a noble virtue.Why should we uot bestow great care and sentiment upon the aged, even upon those who have outlived their usefulness in this life! Grant that the years have come when *‘tbejr 6liall be afraid of that which is high; when the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail. Or ere the silver cord he loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel be broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was. aud the spirit shall return to the God who gave it.’’What a noble aim to cheer those standing on such a threshold; to found hero an institution that may make some return to these aged servants for ail the good they have done iu their day ere their strength had failed. Perhaps they are now solitary, because tlieir children have fallen fighting the battles of their country. Perhaps they are ueedy, because, though men of genius, of inventive powers, they have bestowed great riches upon their generation without enriching themselves. Here, at last, let there be a rest for all weary limbs and tired spirits. Whether their sphere has been humble in life, or whether they have filled the vocation of teachers, artists, prophets, let them find here a welcome retreat for old ago, a safe harbor from the tempests of life.Another idea is recognized in this plan of benevolence; The Idea that it is uot good for man to be alone even iu the winter of life. His senses may le torpid, his wits may have become dull and his flow of spirits uncertain, yet lie is still a social being. Though uot living much for the present, he still delights to talk of the past.It is related of two gentlemen, who had led active lives, that like Robiuson Crusoe, they wera shipwrecked on a desert island. They were strungers to each other, but naturally spent the first year in devising ways and means for subsistence, and in establishing if home. All their conversation was upou these practical topics.The second year of their .residence they talked about tlieir past lives. Like old soldiers they were principally taken up with fighting their battles over again, aud eacL listened with attentive ear to the other. ■ PThe third year, being gentlemen of culture, they turned to the discussion of abstract and theoretical questions, topics of science, of politics and religion. They brought into close comparison their respective ideas on these subjects, until each was perfectly acquainted with all the thoughts aud sentiments of the other.The fourth year of their residence on the island they fell into silence, and though having the best understanding with each other, they begun to long for other society. They had nothing further totalk about.In this retreat for those who have drifted outfrom the busy scenes of life, it is not anticipated that two will be suftioient for society. It is understood by the founders that two swallows do not make a summer. It is hoped that many, whether they have climbed life’s hill together or not, may ho assembled here, and that they may here totter down life’s hill together.Here is expected to prevail no constraiued silence. Here fresh reminiscences of the past will bo always in order. Hero varied- observations of the present and undying hope of tli6 future may combine to alleviate the natural weariness of age.For tlie benevolent gentlemen who have so well begun this work—who are here erecting a monument whose shadow it is hoped may lengthen as the ages pass, we invoke heaven’s choicest blessings upou tlieir heads. May their days also be longId the land! ' ,Cincinnati is justly proud of her public benefactors; proud that her citizens have found new and noble wavs for the use of wealth. Churches, orphan sylurns, homes for children and the friendless have received their full recognition and support. But beyond Qiese, and including a wider range of benevolence, rich gifts have been bestowed for the advancement of science, of general education, of the arts of music,drawing, and painting. There for many years on the neighboring hill of Mr. Auburn has beeu sustained the Widows’ Home. T;i;.y• 1’ T, fV:|A nil r\r\xty 1 o of l\nf n At laoat nnmaa tiln fnnmln.
Newspaper Details
Cincinnati Commercial
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
Thu, Jul 03, 1879
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Cincinnati A.
OH, USA 21 Oct 2022
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