Looking over the last biennial report of the Visiting Committee of the Haskell and James White Homes, I am impressed with the growth of the work in the time which has elapsed since the last general meeting of the Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association two years ago.GCB January 1, 1897, page 61.8

In all lines in which the Association has been engaged the work has made marked growth, and the Haskell Home for Children and the James White Memorial Home for Aged Persons have fully kept up with the other lines.GCB January 1, 1897, page 61.9

The financial strait through which the country has been passing has made itself very perceptibly felt in all phases of the Relief Work. The applications for help have been very numerous, and pressing.GCB January 1, 1897, page 61.10

At our last biennial report there were forty-eight children in the Haskell Home. During the two years past seventy-nine children have been received; twenty-eight have returned to their friends or been placed in private homes, four have died, and forty-eight still remain, making ninety-six children now in the Home. Thirty-one of these are colored children, most of them from Mrs. Steele’s orphanage in Chattanooga.GCB January 1, 1897, page 61.11

The children are divided into eight families, four of boys, three of girls, and the youngest, or nursery family, of both boys and girls.GCB January 1, 1897, page 61.12

The physical development of the children has been very satisfactory, remarkably so considering the many sources from which we receive the children and the condition in which many of them come to us, pale and delicate with catarrhal and other abnormal tendencies.GCB January 1, 1897, page 61.13

In regard to the mental and moral development of the children, the results of the system of training are more apparent than they were two years ago. Several of the children who have been longest with us are proving efficient helpers, taking an intelligent interest in the work of the Home. Some of the older girls are veritable little mothers in their care of the younger children, nursing them in sickness, guarding them morally, and “mothering” them in various ways with a success that would do credit to mature women. Some are developing a decided taste for and marked ability in nursing, teaching, etc. Several have acquired a practical knowledge of cookery and other departments of domestic work that is very creditable and useful, and all, both boys and girls, have made good advancement in practical lines.GCB January 1, 1897, page 61.14

The boys being on an average younger than the girls, there are not, of course, as many among them who have been able to assume responsible work; but they are gaining in efficiency and development of character, and we have no reason to be discouraged at their progress.GCB January 1, 1897, page 61.15

The children entered enthusiastically into the outdoor work last year, helping in the care of the stock, assisting in the gardening, etc., with enthusiasm. They did nobly in the care and culture of the small fruit, gathering the peas, beans, etc.GCB January 1, 1897, page 61.16

The flower gardens were a source of constant pleasure to the family, young and old. The nursery family especially did quite a little among the flowers, and besides selling quite a quantity of cut flowers and putting up seeds for sale, organized themselves into a flower mission and sent flowers to the sick, and to other institutions where they would be appreciated. This work in the gardens has been of itself a wonderful source of development morally and intellectually to say nothing of the physical benefit of outdoor work.GCB January 1, 1897, page 61.17

The Home school is a busy place, and the rooms are some of them very much crowded. We have seven grades represented in three rooms and under the care of three excellent teachers. The instruction is given by natural progressive methods, and it is pleasant to see the interest the children take in their school work. The children study from the actual objects instead of pictures, where possible, and whether it is plant or animal life or whatever it may be it is studied with an enthusiasm which the study of a principle in the abstract could never awaken.GCB January 1, 1897, page 61.18

The Home Sabbath-school has been for nearly a year under the direction of Dr. E. R. Caro with an enthusiastic corps of assistants drawn largely from the Sanitarium. Dr. Caro took this when Dr. Geo. H. Dow was compelled from failing health to lay it down, and has very faithfully and efficiently carried its interests to the present time.GCB January 1, 1897, page 62.1

The Home family has its weekly missionary meeting in which Dr. A. B. Olsen has rendered most kindly and efficient services. The children take an active and interested part in the program, and are gaining a wider knowledge of missionary work and the needs of the world. Quite a library of books mostly on mission subjects has also been collected through Dr. Olsen’s influence, and is greatly enjoyed by the Home family.GCB January 1, 1897, page 62.2

Some changes have taken place among the workers of the Home since the last report. When Mrs. E. T. Bunkley relinquished the office of matron in August, 1895, the responsibility was laid upon Mrs. W. C. Walston, who was then acting as mother to one of the families, and nurse in general to the Home. In November, 1896, Mr. and Mrs. Walston having been appointed to South Africa, Mr. J. S. Comins of Massachusetts was appointed superintendent, and Mrs. Comins, matron.GCB January 1, 1897, page 62.3

The Mothers’ Missionary Class held in connection with the Home has been continued. Six who have completed the course of study, and several who have taken part of the course, have left the Home for other fields. Three are directly engaged in orphanage work. Others are holding mothers’ meetings and giving instruction in other ways. Some of these are in other countries.GCB January 1, 1897, page 62.4

The course has been lengthened to two years and made more complete for those who wish to make a specialty of any line of the studies of the Mothers’ Class. The Bible and Testimonies studies have been under the direction of Elder Corliss and Dr. Paulson. The sloyd is taught by a Swedish lady, who makes it her profession. The kindergarten instruction is given by a normal teacher of long and varied experience. The studies of child nature and character-building receive Mrs. Kellogg’s personal attention. There are seven members in the class at present.GCB January 1, 1897, page 62.5

At our last report the Home for the Aged was maintained in two cottages on Washington Street near the Sanitarium. We had then twenty-two of our aged brethren and sisters in the cottages and at the Haskell Home. Thirteen have been received since four have finished life’s journey, and others have returned to friends, leaving twenty-two in the care of the Association at present.GCB January 1, 1897, page 62.6

The applications for admission to the Home for the Aged are very numerous, but the crowded state of the cottages has made it necessary to defer all but the most imperative cases. Recently the building formerly belonging to Elder James White, on Aldrich Street, has been enlarged and refitted, and the family are just moving into it. This gives a few more rooms for those who are waiting an opportunity.GCB January 1, 1897, page 62.7

The building is heated by steam and has been so adapted to its purpose as to make a pleasant and convenient home. The family seem to enjoy the change greatly. The matron, Mrs. E. A. Baker, who has been in charge from the first, is a trained nurse from the Sanitarium, and has been very efficient and faithful in her work.GCB January 1, 1897, page 62.8

The Visiting Committee includes, as at last report, Mrs. O. A. Olsen, Mrs. E. E. Kellogg, Mrs. M. M. Morse, Mrs. L. M. Hall, and Dr. Kate Lindsay upon whom devolved the care of looking after the health interests of the Home, a charge which was most faithfully and efficiently fulfilled while she remained. Since she left Battle Creek, Dr. Lauretta Kress has been the attendant physician of the Haskell Home.GCB January 1, 1897, page 62.9

L. Mc Coy, secretary, was called upon to report with reference to the improvements made in the James White Memorial Home, which report was given verbally. He stated that the enterprise of founding a Home, which was to be known as the James White Memorial Home, was one of the first enterprises thought of by the Association; but the unexpected gift of Mrs. Haskell for the establishment of a home for orphans, made it necessary for the Association to give that enterprise its first attention, which resulted in the establishment of a large and well-equipped, home for orphans. In the meantime, a number of old people were received and cared for in rented buildings, which was attended with more or less inconvenience for the past two years; and yet we have been enabled to make from twenty to thirty old people quite comfortable during this time. In the fall of 1895, a committee was appointed, and authorized and empowered to improve and enlarge a building donated to the Association by the General Conference. This building was originally erected by Elder James White, and it seemed very appropriate that it should be utilized for the purpose of a home for aged people. The building consisted of some fifteen rooms, situated on three good sized town lots. The building has been rebuilt and enlarged, and was so far completed as to be occupied by the family March 1, 1897. There are about twenty-eight rooms in the building, and these are supplied with such conveniences as would be required for a suitable home for the family.GCB January 1, 1897, page 62.10

The matter of receiving persons into the Home who have means to pay, or partly pay their expenses, was discussed, and the opinion prevailed that it would be the proper thing to receive such persons under some circumstances, who had means, but not to the exclusion of those who were destitute.GCB January 1, 1897, page 62.11

W. C. White spoke with reference to his observation, and expressed it as his opinion that often-times aged persons would do well to have a managing board manage for them rather than to care for themselves.GCB January 1, 1897, page 63.1

R. A. Underwood, H. P. Holser, S. H. Lane, and others spoke of their interest in the work and their desire to see the work a success.GCB January 1, 1897, page 63.2

The Chair gave an outline of the manner of the conduct of the Haskell Home; how they manage the children, and the superior care training given; how they are supplied with mothers, and fathers who care for them personally, and, in this manner, the children are given the full benefit of a private home. He also spoke of the large number of homes found for children in private families, and expressed it as his belief that homes may be found for all.GCB January 1, 1897, page 63.3

The Chair requested the meeting to indicate the manner of conducting the same, as to what questions should be discussed, and what matters should be considered.GCB January 1, 1897, page 63.4

On motion of W. W. Prescott, supported by O. A. Olsen, the Chair was authorized to appoint the usual committees, whereupon he appointed the following persons as a nominating committee: O. A. Olsen, I. H. Evans, G. A. Irwin W. W. Prescott, S. H. Lane, and A. J. Breed.GCB January 1, 1897, page 63.5

On motion of G. A. Irwin, supported by W. W. Prescott, the meeting adjourned to meet March 11 at 2:30 P. M., to consider matters in committee of the whole, the meeting to be held in the Hospital parlor.GCB January 1, 1897, page 63.6

MEDICAL MISSIONARY AND BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION

SECOND MEETING