By Mrs. Lina Covington Harrell
Much as already been thought, spoken and written about Union County’s Children’s Home, but with it all, the half has never been told. And when these few remarks we are writing are completed there will be plenty left for some one else to say.
Our first visit to the Home was made last Sunday afternoon. Our next will be made as soon as possible. The spirit of the place gets one. Even tho Mr. Snyder maintains that he has to do his praying in the wee sma’ hours, as there is no time during the day, it is very evident that prayer and answers to prayer are behind that establishment and its managers.
Driving up to the Home, the earth and all round seemed suddenly to swarm with children. Porch, steps, yard—everywhere a small face and bobbed head appeared. And every face was clean and rosy of cheek, and every head was neatly brushed, and every pair of eyes sparkled with health and happiness.
Inside the reception hall there were still more children, and in the midst of them a calm-eyed, motherly woman who cordially bade us welcome. And for half an hour we sat and talked with her about her charges, while she alternately soothed the baby’s bumped head, corrected some lapse of manners, encouraged hospitality to a small visitor present, deftly nipped several brewing altercations in the bud, and settled a moral issue concerning a report that one certain youngster was “a tearin’ up all the beds, Mis’ Snyder,”—all without loss of calm or poise.
But why lose her poise over such small incidents when five mornings in the week 22 youngsters must be hustled off to school in them; every Sunday morning 31 must be gotten ready for Sunday school; 31 gotten to bed every night and up again in the morning? Think of being responsible for keeping 31 pairs of ears clean. Or 31 mouths fed three times daily with wholesome food. Imagine the possibilities for unique happenings with 14 male youngsters in constant association 24 hours in the day, and every day. However their ingenuity is directed into wholesome lines, and thus the roof stays on and the Home goes happily forward. An air of happiness permeates the Home. Firmness, kindness and patience in disciplne have wrought the wonder of a well ordered household of children who really mind when spoken to, can play without a din of maddening noise and who do not make a display of temper, bad manners and vociferous argument when company comes. And this is 1922!!!
When all is said the Children’s Home is the greatest inspiration and the most eloquent sermon that the people of Union county could have witnessed in many a day. This sermon wit6h its theme of service can cover a multitude of texts, beginning with “In as much as ye did it unto one of the least of these ye have done it unto me,” and winding up with “The Lord loveth a cheerful giver.” The people who give themselves as freely and wholeheartedly as Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are doing the following closely in the Master’s steps, and in a self-centered world their lights shine out as a light-house on a storm swept coast. Truly they have not undertaken the work for the money there was n it, nor because they were looking for an easy job, but theirs be the reward of the man who has used all the talents the Lord gave him.
As we were leaving we said to one wee, blue-eyed lass who had been coyly smiling at us, “Don’t you want to go home with me?” Promptly and firmly came the answer, “No ma’m.” And there we have the situation of the Home in a nut shell; a home full of happy, healthy, contented children whose lives are now cast in such a pleasant place they would be unwilling to leave; and over all brooding the spirit of the Christ in whose name the service is rendered.
From the front page of The Monroe Journal, Tuesday, January 17, 1922. The couple’s last name was spelled Sinder in the newspaper headline and Snyder throughout the story.
No comments:
Post a Comment