Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 103, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1909 — MONNETT CHILDBED’S HOME TO BE CONDUCTED AS SCHOOL. [ARTICLE]

MONNETT CHILDBED’S HOME TO BE CONDUCTED AS SCHOOL.

School Will Be Able To Educate Twenty-One Girls at PresentOpened Wednesday. There is a saying that it is only evil that lives after men but the good is buried with them. With what blindness does the world criticise! A single instance of the perpetuation of the good is ilustrated in our midst by the munificent gift of Miss Cordelia Monnett to the Chicago Training School and an equally important one to her own town of the spacious home, -thus making possible a much needed school for girls. “Things are not what they seem” always. At first thought it is only natural to wonder why the preference was given to Chicago, that great and wealthy city, rather than to her own borne town. Is it not natural and right to wish to make little or much go as far as possible? In what way could any sum be invested where it would go farther than when given to the Chicago Training School for City, Home and Foreign Missions, which is continually scattering its students over not only the two Americas, but the world. During its short but phenominal history, it has trained about twenty-two hundred women and has given to the mission field—home, foreign and deaconess —more than thirteen hundred women. This school makes possible the manning of other institutions with thoroughly trained workers. Naturally the people of Rensselaer will be more interested in the working out of plans for the school belonging in a way to them. Hitherto the Monnett Home has been conducted as a® orphanage rather than a school. Had this met the need, it would have been well to continue it as such. The Baby-Fold at Normal, 111., makes a home for the tiny ones; the orphanage at Lake Bluff, 111., and. another at Urbana, 111., provides for the children up to ten years of age. The Chaddock school at Quincy receives the boys and the Jennings seminary at Aurora, 111., takes the girls above fourteen years of age. These institutions, all under deaconess management, provide for all classes excepj the girls from ten to fourteen. The principal of Jennings seminary continually receivesu applications from girls who are too young for acceptance there. She refers them to the Monnett Home, but few, if any, make application because the parent or guardian wants a school and not an orphanage. Today, a father who had brought bis daughter to the school, remarked that when a child was sent to a strange town, a parent (or guardian) desired that child to be under the watch-care of those in charge of the institution rather than to be permitted the freedom of coming and going to the public school. Experience has proven that a school is what is needed and for this reason the Monnett Home will henceforth be conducted as a school. The preparations for the increased work have really been made by faith since students have been accepted before rooms were ready or furniture in sight. With additional furniture it will be possible to care for twentyone girls. The announcement of the change of plan of the institution was made so late that there was not present that number at the opening on Wednesday morning, September Bth. Others are planning to come later. An additional worker, Miss Bertha Walb, from Wolcottville, Ind., is expected' this week. Miss Bessie Davis has been engaged to take charge of the piano pupils and she has already began her work. It has been thought best not to attempt more this year than can he done well, consequently some of the girls above the fourth grade will still have the privilege of the public school. The present outlook Is a crowded building in the near future. The Monnett school is beginning as many another has. The Lord puts it into the heart of some one to make the beginning and the privilege of enlargement is granted to another. It is with confidence that the work Is being pushed forward. With what satisfaction does Mr. J. B. Hobbs, president of the Lake

Bluff orphanage, look upon the grand work being carried forward through his generosity. One of the notable monuments to the generosity of Mr. James N. Gamble, of Ivory Soap fame, is the Elizabeth Gamble Deaconess Home at Cincinkiti. The Old People’s Home at Edgewater, 111., is another monument to the memory of Mr. Bush, of the Bush and Gerts Piano Co. Can one doubt that when such friends have been raised up for these worthy institutions thqt one with such possibilities as the school should pass unnoticed. Another cause for confidence in the ultimate success of the present undertaking !b the cordial welcome given to the workers in the school, the kindly expressed Interest in the work and the material help already received. While the many kindnesses can not be specially mentioned, yet the workers desire to express their Appreciation for all help given. '•'* Bherman Richards, who has the contract for painting the house, gratuitously assisted in the Interior painting ' and Daperlng, which was ‘particularity appreciated. Not least among the kindnesses shown is the placing of the telephone, free of charge. Few can realise what this means to the institution. It is equal to the addition of a worker 4o the school. Those in charge of the school tcftst that the confidence thus shown I>y friends may prove not to have been misplaced. * •