USA > North Carolina > Granville County > Oxford > Annual report of the board of directors, superintendent and treasurer of the Oxford Orphanage : to the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M > Part 2
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With the completion of the auditorium in the York Rite Chapel, we now have a stage equipped for home talent plays and other productions, and during the school year 1952-53, we have enriched our program in dramatics by including in the program three plays by our high school students.
Our vocational education program begins with the seventh grade and runs through high school. The enrollment in the vo- cational schools is about on a par with last year as we have not enrolled many town and county boys in these departments.
We are planning now to enlarge our vocational training in printing by installing new linotype machines and going into the field of teletype setting and it may be possible to offer this course in teletype setting to girls as well as boys in connection with our commercial course in high school. It will give our best typists the opportunity to receive training on perforating ma- chines, as girls make better typists on an average than boys. In the field of printing there is a need for girls trained in this de- partment.
We desperately need a gymnasium in our athletic and phy- sical education program as we are using the old Grand Lodge Room on the second floor of the dining room for girls' physical education. This room is not suitable for games because of the strain on the building. Therefore, we are hoping that in the near future we can build a gymnasium to give our boys and girls ade- quate training in indoor sports and physical education.
Fraternally,
JOHN NICHOLS SCHOOL E. T. REGAN, Principal.
REPORT OF SCHOOL LIBRARY
REV. A. DELEON GRAY, Superintendent :
Dear Mr. Gray:
I wish to submit the following report of the Oxford Orphanage. Library for the year ending, December 31, 1952.
The work of the library is carried on as usual according to State regulations. We have both the Elementary and High School sections. Four pupils are assigned as helpers in the library; two work from eight until twelve and two from one until five o'clock p. m.
Each grade has two library periods a week at which time they select reading matter that appeals to them or do research work that is required of them in their class studies. The librarian
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and her helpers give assistance whenever and wherever it is needed. The Primary and Elementary grades also enjoy story hour periods. I feel that this is one of the most important services a librarian can render as it stimulates an interest in books, es- pecially among poor readers.
The Grand Royal Arch Chapter, the Grand Commandery, and the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, along with numerous friends of the Orphanage are most generous in their contributions to the library. Without their gifts of money, we would be unable to purchase many of the books that we need to replace each year. There is such a large turnover of circulation, the average life of a popular book is short.
We keep up our subscriptions to the Junior Literary Guild and to the Young People's Division of the Literary Guild with the York Rite Fund. It is also with money from this fund that we pay for our magazine subscriptions.
Our shelving space is becoming more and more crowded and in the spring, it became necessary for us to use the shelves for books that we had been using for periodicals. So we had to buy a mag- azine stand which is a useful and attractive addition to the library.
The following is a record of our books and their distribution in the Elementary and High School sections of the library:
Books in Elementary Section, Dec. 31, 1951 2354
Books added during year 1952 169
Total 2523
Books withdrawn 12
Total No. books, Dec. 31, 1952 2511
Total book circulation for Elementary Section 8707
Books in High School Section, Dec. 31, 1951 5318
Books added during year, 1952 173
Total 5491
Books withdrawn 116
Total No. books, Dec. 31, 1952 5375
Total book circulation for High School section 7896
Total book circulation for year, 1952. 16603
Magazines purchased for library and cottages 136
Gift Subscriptions 4
Magazines purchased for library 43
Magazines purchased for cottages 93
Magazines purchased plus gifts. 140
NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS :
Durham Morning Herald. 11 Copies
New York Times (Sunday Edition) 1 Copy
New York Herald Tribune (Books) 1 Copy
Oxford Public Ledger 1 Copy
Respectfully submitted, MILDRED H. FULLER, Librarian.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF BOYS' ATHLETIC REPORT
REV. A. DELEON GRAY, Superintendent :
We begin our report with a lack rather than a product- the lack of inside recreational space for the release of physical and emotional tension. The addition of a recreational plant would be the greatest advancement yet toward building the sound bodied and sound minded men and women upon which the Masons of North Carolina have so long dwelt.
We do not seek a basketball court for interscholastic com- petition of a few, but we give our whole-hearted appeal for a plant large enough and conducive to the neuromuscular develop- ment of our weak as well as our strong. A healthy and wholesome disposal of leisure time is a cardinal must with growing children.
The condemned Masonic Hall is now used for both boys and girls, permitting only a few to participate at a time. With our rigid schedule, time, as well as place, is a factor that must be util- ized to the utmost to give these children their bare minimum in recreation and therapeutics.
Football was the main sport again this year with 85 percent of our orphanage high school boys participating. The season's opening victory over Rocky Mount speared the boys on to eight wins and three losses in the North Central AA Conference. The Orphan- age Shrine Bowl Game is the most exciting day of the year for all the campus. We are indeed grateful to the fine work of the Sudan Temple toward making this game such a success, both financially and in entertainment for our children and staff. We will lose ten boys this year, but hope to field a scrappy eleven next season.
The junior varsity played five games, winning three and losing two. These boys consist of seventh, eighth, and ninth graders. We hope to use a few of these boys on the varsity next year.
The midget football team, coached by Mr. Thomas B. Currin, played a total of five games for the season winning, three and losing two. The small, one-hundred pound "Bonecrushers" won over Durham, Norlina, and Halifax, Va., while losing to Hender- son and Hillsboro. The outstanding feature of these future greats is their interest and spirit.
The baseball squad coached by Mr. M. G. Talton, Jr., was composed of nineteen boys. We had a fifteen game schedule with a record of eleven wins, three losses, and one rained out. We end- ed the season in a tie with Roxboro for second place.
Midget baseball is conducted by Mr. Currin on an intramural basis with a game being played each afternoon.
Respectfully submitted,
M. L. "GABE" AUSTELL, Coach.
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REPORT OF GIRLS' ATHLETICS
REV. A. DELEON GRAY, Superintendent :
The girls' physical educational department has completed an- other successful year. The loss of Miss Louise Pender was felt keenly by the girls, and they also wish her much success and hap- piness with her new position with the State Welfare Department.
The girls recreational facilities are somewhat hampered by the lack of time. Many of the girls have dining room and kitchen duties during our scheduled hour of activity.
Sportsmanship, fair play, and becoming a good loser is our goal to instill in the girls.
At the present time, we are anticipating a great deal of fun out of our intramural basketball tournament. The girls have chosen teams according to ability and all the teams are evenly divided to offer stiff competition. Recently much time has been spent on fundamentals of basketball and the tournament is the climax of the winter sport. Softball, volleyball, folk dancing and social dancing comprise the bulk of our activities during the fall and spring.
The summer program consists of community singings for the younger children; dancing twice a week for the older cottages and show privileges once a week. Our swimming pool is the cen- ter of attention during the hot summer months. Every child par- ticipates with nearly all learning to swim.
I am happy to report that there have been no serious accidents the past year.
The need of a more complete recreational plant is keenly felt in order to further develop the "total" individual. When a child is lacking in recreational facilities, a vital part of the child is going undeveloped. A gymnasium and a full time recreational director would solve many of our "spare time" problems.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY P. MARSH, Director of Girls' Athletics.
VOCATIONS
REPORT PRINTING DEPARTMENT
REV. A. DELEON GRAY, Superintendent :
This Department is functioning nicely, and we try to keep in mind at all times that our main charge is to get boys ready to earn a living and take their places in the life of the State up- on graduation.
There is a constant and a growing demand for apprentices in all fields and we have many, many more calls for our boys than we can possibly fill.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF
During 1953 we plan to do some remodeling of our equipment, and appreciate the cooperation of the Superintendent and the Board in this matter. There will be more of this to be done as the years come. The larger percentage of our equipment is of a pre-World War 1 vintage, and in addition to becoming obsolete, some of it requires such an expenditure of both funds and time to keep in repair that it is not wise to continue its use. The funds allowed this department for equipment during 1953 will be stretch- ed to the limit to get best results.
At present we have 19 boys at The Printing Department. That is nine in the forenoon and ten in the afternoon. With this num- ber of boys, on an average, we have three to graduate each year, and I sincerely hope that we may be able to turn out more boys in the future than we have in the past.
In the graduating class of 1952 there were two boys from The School of Printing-John Stone and John Nichols. John Stone is employed in The News and Observer composing room. John Nichols is attending State College, and working part time as a Linotype operator.
Respectfully yours, J. H. LANDRUM, Manager.
REPORT ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT
REV. A. DELEON GRAY, Superintendent :
We have had a good year in the Electrical Department, with the exception of the fact that we would like to have more boys in the shop than the six who are there at present. It takes several years to learn to handle the equipment properly, and we can serve the boys better if they are given a longer apprenticeship.
Electrical equipment at the Orphanage is, generally speaking, in good condition; but the printing office and main building are in need of rewiring, because as additional equipment has been added over the years; the service has become overloaded, thus cre- ating a hazardous condition.
Three boys will graduate this year, and if they do not enter the military service will probably go into electrical work.
If one considers the amount of electrical equipment in a pri- vate home and multiplies this about a hundred times, he will real- ize the repair situation with which we have to deal.
In addition to the operation of the school and the maintenance of the motors and other equipment of the home, we have done three thousand six hundred dollars worth of commercial work.
It is my hope that our boys will continue to make electrical work theirs means of livelihood and that they will continue to pro- gress in this field.
Fraternally yours,
E. G. MCSWAIN, Manager, Instructor.
YORK RITE MEMORIAL CHAPEL-OXFORD ORPHANAGE, Oxford, N. C. Consecrated May 4, 1952-Gift of Love By York Rite Masons of North Carolina
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REPORT OF SHOE DEPARTMENT 1952
REV. A. DELEON GRAY, Superintendent :
The Orphanage Shoe Repair program for training the boys assigned to it has progressed through another year in which the boys have had the opportunity to absorb additional training in this department.
They are taught every phase of shoe making, shoe repairing, and harness making, plus renovating recreational and athletic equipment.
The boys enter the shop at the age of fourteen or fifteen. We have at present, nine boys receiving instruction, and by the time each boy finishes high school, he will have spent adequate time in training to support himself upon leaving the Orphanage.
Our main source of training material is the shoes of our children here. They, being very active, keep us quite busy. The older boys are entrusted with repairing shoes for our friends and neighbors here in town. The proceeds from this service are used to help defray the expense of the shop.
We are confident that in the coming year, each boy will be- come progressively more efficient.
Respectfully submitted, WADE E. GREGORY.
CAMPUS DEPARTMENTS HOUSING
Oxford Orphanage is arranged in a cottage plan for the housing of children. There are eleven cottages where- in the children are assembled according to age group, under the supervision of adult counselors. All of the cot- tages are being maintained in good condition and are kept as home-like as is possible in congregate living.
The York Rite Memorial Chapel, which was erected at the cost of approximately $215,000, was consecrated for service on May 4, 1952. The erection of this Chapel represents a tremendous sacrifice and a wonderful love expressed by the York Rite Masons of North Carolina. The Chapel is meeting a great need in the Orphanage life and is providing much greater opportunities for wholesome activities to our children. We are hoping to have the Chapel completely furnished and ready for ded- ication during the Spring of 1954.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF
All of the buildings of Oxford Orphanage are ad- equately covered with insurance.
The program for the consecration of the York Rite Memorial Chapel was as follows:
CONSECRATION OF THE YORK RITE MEMORIAL CHAPEL AT THE OXFORD ORPHANAGE MAY 4, 1952
A SERVICE OF WORSHIP AND CONSECRATION
(Let the People kneel or bow in silent prayer upon entering the CHAPEL)
PRELUDE (The people in devout meditation)
HYMN 38: "Come Thou Almighty King" Giardini
CALL TO WORSHIP :
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that built it.
Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.
Praise waiteth for Thee, O God, and unto Thee shall the vow be performed.
CHORAL MEDITATION-Song of Praise Mozart
INVOCATION
O, Eternal God, mighty in power, and of majesty incom- prehensible, whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, much less the walls of temples made with hands; and who yet hast been graciously pleased to promise Thy especial presence wherever two or three of Thy faithful servants shall assemble in Thy Name, to offer up their praises and supplications unto Thee; vouchsafe, O, Lord, to be present with us, who are gathered together with all humility and readiness of heart, to consecrate this place to the honor of Thy great Name; separating it henceforth from all unhallowed, ordinary, and common uses; and consecrating it to Thy service, for reading Thy Holy Word, for cele- brating Thy Holy Sacraments, for offering for Thy glo- rious Majesty the sacrifices of prayer and thanksgiving, for training children in Thy Spirit, for blessing Thy people in Thy Name, and for all other holy offices: Accept, O Lord, this Service at our hands, and bless it with such success as may tend most to Thy Glory and the further- ance of our happiness, both temporal and spiritual; through Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen
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COLLECT FOR CONSECRATION :
O most Glorious Lord God, graciously accept the conse- cration of this place to Thy service; and grant that all who call upon Thee here may worship Thee in spirit and in truth, and may in their lives show forth Thy praise. Direct us in all our doings with Thy most gracious favor, and further us with Thy continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in Thee, we may glori- fy Thy Holy Name, and finally, by Thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER :
Our Father Who are in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass agar ·st us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever. Amen.
RESPONSE: "Hear Our Prayer, O Lord'' Whelpton ANTHEM : "Give Ear Unto Our Prayer" Arcadelt
THE RESPONSIVE READING: Psalm 24 (The people standing)
The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world, and they that dwell therein.
For He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the flood.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart: Who hath not lifted up his soul into vanity, nor sworn deceit- fully.
He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and right- eousness from the God of his salvation.
This is the generation of them that seek Him, that seek Thy face.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors
And the King of Glory shall come in.
Who is this King of Glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors.
And the King of Glory shall come in.
Who is this King of Glory?
The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory.
GLORIA PATRIA
THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS
THE PRESENTATION OF THE CHAPEL AND THE MEMORIALS FOR CONSECRATION :
Dr. Charles H. Pugh , Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of North Carolina.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF
Dr. Wallace E. Caldwell, Grand High Priest of Grand Royal Arch Chapter of North Carolina. D. Ernest Bulluck, Grand Commander of the Grand Com- mandery of Knights Templar of North Carolina.
THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE CHAPEL FOR CONSECRATION W. H. White, Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina
THE DECLARATION OF CONSECRATION-(The Minister)
In the Name of God and in the presence of this congre- gation, I now declare this Chapel to be open for the wor- ship of God. And the service of men, especially the house- hold of our children. May it be a holy house of prayer for all people.
ANTHEM: Psalm 150 Lewandowski
A RESPONSIVE PRAYER :
Almighty and everlasting God, in communion with the saints in all the ages, and remembering the heritage that has been given us, we offer Thee our praise and thanks- giving.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
Help us to accept the privilege and responsibility of this Thy fellowship of faith; here may we keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
So may we fulfill the law of love.
Enable us, by Thy grace, to dedicate ourselves this day to the great task which Thou dost lay upon our hearts and consciences.
In all we do, be Thou, O Lord, our strength and help. Reveal to us the beauty of Thy perfect law, the joy of our living Lord, so that with glad hearts we may move forward in paths of high devotion and great achievement. Be Thou, O Lord, our guide and help forevermore. Amen. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING :
Most gracious Lord God, accept through Thy beloved son, our thanksgiving for Thine unspeakable love and good- ness. Thou art the Father of mercies, and God of all com- fort, full of compassion and forgiveness of sin. We thank Thee that Thou hast founded Thy church and implanted Thy spirit in the hearts of men. Especially do we thank Thee because Thou hast inspired Thy sons of Christian Knighthood to provide this house of worship for Thy children. Continue Thy loving kindness unto us and fulfill Thy spirit in us, that we may finally obtain Thy glory. Amen.
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION :
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, whose eyes are ever toward the righteous, and whose ears are ever open unto their cry; we pray thee, this building, which we now con- secrate to Thee, to Thy glory, that in it love and wisdom may unite to bring joy and strength to those who gather here. Grant, O Lord, that whosoever in this house shall be
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received by Baptism into the congregation of Christ's flock, may be sanctified by the Holy Ghost, and may con- tinue faithful as a soldier and servant of Christ unto his life's end.
Grant, O Lord, that all who in this house shall enter the Holy Communion, may come to that sacrament with faith, charity, and true repentance; and being filled with Thy Grace and heavenly benediction, may obtain forgiveness of sins, and all other benefits of His passion.
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that in this place of wor- ship we may in such wisdom hear them, read, mark, learn, and understand them, that by patience, and comfort of holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of immortal life, which Thou hast given us in our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Grant, O Lord, that this building may be used for the purpose of Christian education, to the work of the Sun- day School, to the study of the Scriptures, and to the de- velopment of Christian character. In worthwhile activity and wholesome fellowship may there be herein a broaden- ing of mental horizons and the deepening of knowledge of Thee.
Grant, O Lord, that whosoever shall be joined together in this place in the holy estate of Matrimony, may faith- fully perform and keep the vow and covenant between them made, and may remain in perfect love together unto their life's end.
Grant, we beseech Thee, blessed Lord, that whosoever shall draw near to Thee in this place, to give Thee thanks for the benefits which they have received at Thy hands, to set forth Thy most worthy praise, to confess their sins unto Thee, and to ask such things as are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as for the soul, may do it with such steadiness of faith, and with such seriousness, affection, and devotion of mind, that Thou mayest accept their bounden duty and service, and vouchsafe to give whatever in Thy infinite wisdom Thou shalt see to be most expedient for them. All of which we beg for Jesus Christ's sake, our most blessed Lord and Savior. Amen.
CHORAL PRAYER RESPONSE
HYMN 123: "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross" ____ Gregorian THE SERMON : The Reverend Charles S. Hubbard, Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of North Carolina.
HYMN 43: "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" Beethoven
BENEDICTION DOXOLOGY POSTLUDE
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ANNUAL REPORT OF
CLOTHING
REV. A. DELEON GRAY, Superintendent :
The Clothing Department had a very happy, as well as suc- cessful, year in 1952. We feel that our boys and girls are better dressed each year, thanks to our many friends and donors.
We try to bring out the children's personality by giving them the opportunity of selecting their own clothes as far as possible. I have found color plays an important part in each individual, so we are putting more emphasis on this fact.
In addition to clothing the children, it is our duty to supply the cottages, kitchen, hospital, shops, and dining halls with linens and other necessary items which are requisitioned through our business office.
We also maintain and operate a modern laundry, mending and sewing room. The laundry which is under the supervision of Mrs. Marvin Minor, takes care of the children's clothing as well as all the linens on the campus.
The mending room is supervised by Mrs. Inez Beasley, who takes care of mending the clothing after it comes from the laun- dry.
Mrs. Jessie Clement and Mrs. Tom Dixon, with the help of several girls, are doing a wonderful job in our sewing room making the lovely dresses one sees on our campus. This is also good train- ing for the girls who work in this department.
The Clothing Department proper is functioning more efficient- ly each year due to the classification of our stock.
We wish to thank the personnel of the Oxford Orphanage for their splendid cooperation during the past year and also ex- press our sincere appreciation to our friends and supporters for their donations. We assure each that we will endeavor to carry on this work to the best of our ability.
Respectfully, BEULAH M. WARD, Clothing Supervisor.
FOOD
The Food Department continues to be housed in the old Masonic Temple. This department includes the kitchen, dining rooms, bakery, refrigeration and freezer facilities, smoke house, and the necessary storage rooms. .
The kitchen contains electric and steam equipment, to which has been added a new steam dishwasher during the year; all of which equipment is maintained in good working condition to make it possible to serve more than 1,000 meals per day in our children's dining rooms. Greatest efforts are made to provide nutritious meals
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of wholesome food to enable our children to grow strong and healthy.
Our children's meals are served in three dining rooms, where the children are assembled in age groups; while the staff occupies a separate dining room .
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