USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Womelsdorf > A history of Bethany Orphans' Home of the Reformed Church in the United States : located at Womelsdorf, Pa. > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9
But there are many variations from this routine. The Bethany Band practices during a part of the play hour on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, and sometimes gives a concert during the twilight hour in summer. During the winter, twenty minutes each evening, the Superintendent instructs some of the children in preparation for their confirmation on Whitsunday. On Sundays, at half-past ten in the morning, the officers, employees and all the orphans hold divine worship in the chapel. The Holy Com- munion is celebrated four times in the year, at half- past eight in the evening, after all the younger children
116
History of Bethany Orphans' Home.
are in bed, and only those are present who are entitled to participate in the feast. No communion season is passed without an offering for some benevolent ob- ject, and all the children are encouraged to give ac- cording to their means. During the last Classical year the Bethany offerings for benevolence amounted to ninety-nine dollars. Sunday-school is held in the afternoon, for the study of the international lessons and on Sunday evening there is a simple service, under the direction of the Superintendent.
The children have much freedom to roam over the mountains to gather flowers or berries in season and for other purposes. Phonograph concerts and enter- tainments, under the direction of the teacher, are fre- quently given during the winter. Sometimes, by per- mission of the Superintendent, the older boys and girls assemble in the large parlor and have singing and instrumental music.
Picnics, with a special supper, at some favorite spot on the mountain; Carsonia Day, when all get a free ride to Mt. Penn and Carsonia Park, and the annual chestnut hunt are occasions which are highly enjoyed by the children.
Such is life in the Orphans' Home. As we contem- plate it in a general way, we feel that these children are indeed enjoying many blessings. Yet they miss many things and are at a great disadvantage when compared with children in private homes, under the direct care and influence of parents, who take an in- terest in their welfare for their own sakes.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE BETHANY SCHOOLS.
T
HE school term lasts ten months. The daily ses-
sion begins at half-past eight in the morning. There are three schools-primary, intermediate and high school. All the common elementary English branches are taught, special efforts being made to lay a good foundation. Provision is also made to teach some of the higher branches to those children who show special aptitude and have a desire and ambition to enter higher institutions. In this way a number of orphans have been prepared for admission, without conditions, to the Middle Class of a State Normal School, thus enabling them to graduate in two years. This has been done in a number of cases.
COURSE OF STUDY.
Primary School.
Reading-Ward's Rational Method in Reading, cov- ering the work up to the third reader.
Writing-Natural slant system.
Arithmetic-Begin with conversation lessons, using objects, postponing formal number work several weeks. Teach counting by dots and with objects; counting and writing numbers up to 500; counting by twos, threes, fours, fives and tens to 100; develop numbers up to
117
118
History of Bethany Orphans' Home.
144; teach notation and numeration to 10,000; mul- tiplication table and Roman numerals to C. Teach fundamental operations; addition in columns to six digits; "carrying"; subtraction with smaller digits in minuend than in subtrahend; "borrowing"; multi- plication with multiplier not exceeding three digits; short division.
Teach essential features of United States money, liquid, dry and linear measure and teach to read the clock.
Physiology-Teach the structure, growth, use, care and protection of the external parts of the body. Show that we get knowledge about the body and every- thing else through the senses.
Discuss the agencies that strengthen or weaken the body; position, eating, drinking, dressing, exercise, rest, cleanliness, etc.
Spelling-Teach beginners in accordance with in- structions in Rational Method in Reading. Use the Speller of the Rational System for second and third grades.
Language-Teach pupils to talk fluently, distinctly, correctly and interestingly; written work; memorize maxims, pledges to the flag, poetry. Dictate exercises involving the technical points to be taught in punctua- tion, capitals and correct use of words.
Miscellaneous-The simplest elements of history, geography, drawing, music and ethics also make up a part of the daily programme.
119
History of Bethany Orphans' Home.
Intermediate School.
Reading-Second, third and fourth readers; supple- mentary reading.
Writing-Natural slant system.
Arithmetic-Notation and numeration; application of fundamental operations; common fractions; de- nominate numbers; arithmetical analysis; written and oral work; practical problems including the use of scale on maps.
Physiology-
Geography-Geographical observation lessons; geo- graphical expression by standard forms of words, pic- tures and maps, with reference to home grounds, farm and surrounding country; geographical interpretation of words, pictures and maps of Heidelberg township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, United States and Pales- tine.
History-Elementary History of Bethany Orphans' Home, grounds and institution; of Pennsylvania; of the United States. Formal text, supplementary read- ing and story.
Spelling-Rice's First Book, or equivalent.
Language-Steps in English, Book One, with special attention to oral expressions, letter writing and com- mitting to memory.
Drawing-Elementary drawing.
Music-The scale, time.
Ethics.
High School.
Reading-Fourth and Fifth Readers, English Clas- sics.
120
History of Bethany Orphans' Home.
Writing-Natural slant system.
Arithmetic-Applications of fundamental opera- tions, including common fractions and denominate numbers; decimal fractions; percentage; mensura- tion; arithmetical analysis; practical problems; writ- ten and oral work.
Physiology-Complete.
Geography-Political and mathematical geography complete; physical geography; commercial geography.
History-United States History, complete; review of local and state history; general history in its rela- tion to the United States; the life history of each pupil, prepared by the pupil, for preservation at the Home.
Spelling-Rice's Second Book, or equivalent.
Language-Steps in English, Book Two, or equiva- lent, with special attention to oral expression, letter writing and committing to memory.
English Literature.
Book Keeping-Single entry, especially the art of keeping accounts.
Drawing. Music.
Civics-Dole's The Young Citizen, or equivalent.
Ethics-Gow's Good Morals and Gentle Manners, or equivalent.
Special Studies for Special Students.
Elementary Algebra and Geometry.
Elementary Latin.
Civil Government.
The school day is divided into four periods of ninety
GIRLS' SEWING ROOM.
BOYS SAWING WOOD.
GIRLS SCOURING TINS.
BOYS HAULING BRICKS.
BOYS PRYING STONES.
THE BEAN PICKERS.
GIRLS SEWING.
121
History of Bethany Orphans' Home.
minutes each and each child goes to school three peri- ods out of four. The classes are so arranged that every child can be out of school one period during the day without interfering with the recitations. In this way all the children get three periods of intellectual training and one period of manual training every school day for ten months of each year.
CHAPTER XVIII.
DR. BAUSMAN'S 1906 CHRISTMAS LETTER.
E ARLY in December, 1906, at the suggestion of the Superintendent, the Bethany High School chil- dren wrote letters to Dr. Bausman, President of the Board of Managers. In reply to their epistles, the doctor sent the following, which was read in the Beth- any chapel at the early morning service on Christmas day:
"Good morning, my dear Bethany friends. I wish you all a merry Christmas. Your little letters of love, twenty-four in number, made me feel very happy. I will try to weave their contents into a wreath of grate- ful joy and in spirit lay it on the cradle of 'The Holy Child Jesus.' 'It never rains but it pours.' Especi- ally when a lot of Bethany friends take it into their hearts to overwhelm an old friend with a shower of love letters. I thank you all for this novel surprise. At first, the unusual feast seemed somewhat funny. But I did not get far until my heart grew soft and my eyes moist. Bethany has become a part of my life. I named the baby. At one of our Board meetings long ago, I asked the managers to give the Home the name of Bethany, instead of the one it had before.
"For forty years I have lived much of my life into it. This I deem one of the greatest blessings of my life. I think it made me a better man. It gave me more than it ever got from me. During these many years I have been permitted to attend nearly all its Board meetings and its anniversaries. I feel happy in being a friend of Bethany. God is the Father of the fatherless. Bethany belongs to Him. He is provid-
122
REV. B. BAUSMAN, D.D. PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
123
History of Bethany Orphans' Home.
ing for it every day and hour. He tells many people to send boxes filled with nice things on Christmas, and to put the needed money in our treasury. And we always have enough of it.
"The Bethany people are a happy folk. Mr. and Mrs. More enjoy their work, the more so when you obey and love them as they love you.
"The members of the two Boards find great pleasure in their work. Our Board meeting days are always occasions of great joy. The members are fond of each other. One of the members told us at a meeting: 'I am engaged in a large and prosperous business, but nothing gives me so much pleasure as my being a member of this Board of Managers.'
"We all loved dear Dr. J. Z. Gerhard, and we will all miss him. He was one of our most useful members, an earnest Christian and true friend of Bethany Home. His rare professional skill was always at our bidding. We will cordially cherish his memory. With gratitude to God, let us place his name in the form of an ever- green chaplet on your Christmas tree. 'He being dead yet speaketh.'
"My dear Bethany friends, you have just come out of your clean, cozy beds to sing your early songs to the little Babe of Bethlehem. You know what a poor, cold bed the little Saviour had. Born in a stable, a coarse trough for his cradle, a helpless, homeless Babe. Poor, that He might make us rich. Let us worship Him with joyful hearts.
"The friend of Bethany sends greetings to the friends at Bethany.".
183 смстан
CHAPTER XIX.
IN MEMORIAM.
M EN erect monuments to the memory of heroes of battlefields; to those whose eloquence swayed the masses and incited them to action. Friends erect shafts of purest marble to the memory of relatives, and often inscribe, for the supposed benefit of the public, the particular or imaginary virtues which they ex- hibited in life.
Sanctuaries, dedicated to the worship of the triune God, are lighted by the rays of the sun passing through beautifully colored windows, placed there as memorials by relatives or admiring friends, often of most worthy individuals, and again desecrating the house of God by calling up to the minds of worshipers the ungodly lives which some of those led who now hold the highest places in the synagogue.
Others, again, whose humble, earnest work in life was most appreciated by those who knew them best, are brought to the remembrance of the student who finds upon old records tributes of esteem and apprecia- tion passed by some body of men in honor of their departed fellow laborer.
If such actions mean anything, and are worthy of being recorded on the minutes of an institution, in order that the memory of worthy men and their deeds
124
125
History of Bethany Orphans' Home.
may be preserved, why let them remain buried in musty books? Heroic deeds in civil and political life are flaunted before the eyes of the world; let us then honor the memory of these men who in a quiet way attended to this work of God, by giving publicity to the honestly expressed appreciation of those whose blessed privilege it was to work with them in life for the glory of God and for the good of their fellowmen.
REV. J. S. KESSLER, D.D.
On the 20th of December, 1864, Rev. J. S. Kessler, D.D., the first regular President of the Board of Manag- ers, departed this life, and thereby the Home sustained a great loss. Rev. Kessler was one of the first men who took an active interest in this work, and no doubt his words of counsel, his practical co-operation in the work did much to gain for it the confidence of the Church, to encourage the persons having direct charge of it, and in every way promote and advance the interests of the institution. We have no copy of the action of the. Board in reference to his death.
REV. P. S. FISHER.
On May 22, 1873, Ascension Day, Rev. P. S. Fisher died, aged 68 years, 7 months and 11 days. He was buried on the 28th of May. The attendance was very large, including some forty ministers. The following action, taken by the Board, was read at the funeral by the President :
The Board of Managers of the Orphans' Home at Womelsdorf, Pa., has learned with deep sorrow of the death of Rev. P. S. Fisher. After an illness of a few
126
History of Bethany Orphans' Home.
days, he fell asleep in Jesus, on May 22, 1873. During six years he has been an active member of our Board. He traveled many hundred miles to attend our meet- ings and helped the Home with his gifts, prayers and moving addresses. His warm, loving heart drew us lovingly to him. He worked with us in our Board in harmony and love. At his visits the orphans greeted him as "Father Fisher," and this they could sincerely do. For he loved the fatherless with the tenderness of a natural father. In spirit our ninety orphans stand with us to-day at the grave of their dear father and pay him the last tribute of their grateful hearts. Through his death we and they lose a wise counsellor and a true friend.
Resolved, That the Board herewith records its hearty appreciation of the Christian character and the useful life of our departed brother. To the thou- sands to whom he has ministered he leaves the legacy of his earnest, blessed work, and to the Reformed Church, whose honored servant he was, the fruit of his long and faithful service. Although he shall no longer meet with us visibly, his devout prayers and self-denying love will still continue to bless our Home. Therefore, though dead, he yet speaketh. His sudden and unexpected death admonishes us, "Therefore be ye also ready."
Resolved, That we herewith tender our sincere con- dolence to the stricken family of our departed brother, and pray that the God of all comfort may uphold them in their sorrow.
127
History of Bethany Orphans' Home.
MAJOR ADAM LEIZE.
The Board of Managers of Bethany Orphans' Home has learned with sincere sorrow of the death of one of its active members, Adam Leize. He has been a faith- ful member of our body since April 2, 1867. Since then he has supported the Home with a generous hand and with unwearied zeal. Seldom, and only when unavoidable, was he absent from our meetings. He devoted much time and toil to our Home. At the purchase of our present property he gave $1,000, and later $175 for an acre of the Manderbach farm, besides blessing the Home with many other gifts. We shall greatly miss his counsel and enlightened judgment at our future meetings. He showed a tender love for the fatherless to the end of his life. Therefore,
Resolved, That with heartfelt sorrow we record the death of our congenial and laborious co-worker in the cause of Christian charity, Adam Leize, who, after an illness of nine months, fell gently asleep, December 14, 1875, at the age of 72 years, 4 months and 8 days.
Resolved, That we hereby declare our recognition of his usefulness as a citizen, a consistent Christian and a warm and liberal supporter of our Orphans' Home. He leaves to this Board, to his bereaved family and to the Church of Christ the noble example of an humble, faithful and devout Christian.
Resolved, That we extend to the bereaved family our tender Christian sympathy, as well as the assurance that our own mournful sorrow as individuals and as a Board is only second to theirs.
128 History of Bethany Orphans' Home.
Resolved, That the members of this Board attend his funeral in a body.
Resolved, That a copy of this action be handed to the family of the deceased, and be published in the Reformed Messenger, the Kirchenzeitung and Haus- freund, and in the papers of Reading.
JUDGE DAVID SCHALL. DIED JANUARY 22, 1877.
We, the Board of Managers of Bethany Orphans' Home, at Womelsdorf, Pa., have learned with sorrow of the death of our associate, Hon. David Schall. On April 23, 1867, he became a member of our Board. Since then he attended all our meetings, save when he was prevented by the providence of God. His ripe judgment, his intelligent business views and his strict fidelity were of invaluable service in the counsels of our Board. His warm heart was aglow with sympa- thetic interest for the fatherless. Even when old and infirm, he continued to come to our meetings, with tottering steps, leaning on his staff, and took an active part in our deliberations. He wrought for the good work, and the good work wrought in him. We loved him as a Christian brother, and labored with him with peaceful and quiet joy. And now that he has entered into rest, we shall miss his helpful counsel and co- operation. God doeth all things well. With humble trust we bow to His sovereign and fatherly will. He helped our reverend friend to keep the faith, and to finish his course. Thankfully we will cherish his kindly memory, and lay this, a small tribute of our love, upon his bier.
1
129
History of Bethany Orphans' Home.
Resolved, That this Board realizes with deep sorrow that in the death of Hon. David Schall we have lost an active member of our body, and that we herewith bear our hearty testimony to his Christian piety and sterling worth.
Resolved, That the death of our two oldest members (Adam Leize and David Schall) within a period of a little over a year, is to us a solemn admonition to labor faithfully at our several posts, inasmuch as life is fleet- ing and uncertain, and as we know not who, among our number, may next be called away.
Resolved, That this Board feel a hearty sympathy with the bereaved and mourning family, and pray that the God of all comfort may be to them a present help in trouble; and further, that a copy of this action be handed to the family of the deceased.
Resolved, That, as far as possible, we will attend the funeral of our departed brother.
REV. CHAS. H. LEINBACH, D.D.
Another one of our members has entered into rest, ripe in years, and rich in the precious results of a long and faithful ministry. Our fellow member, Dr. Chas. H. Leinbach, fell asleep in the Lord, July 15th, in the 68th year of his age. At least in years, ir not in office he was one of our oldest members. He became a mem- ber of our body in 1867. By nature and by grace he was particularly fitted to be a manager of such an in- stitution. His tender, sympathizing heart was easily touched by the cry of the fatherless, and his hand was ever open to relieve their wants. But a few years ago
9
130
History of Bethany Orphans' Home.
he traveled from house to house in his large field to gather help for our Home. Decided in his convictions, wise in counsel, just in his judgment, steadfast in faith and principle, we felt the great benefit of his presence, and with sadness do we now feel the loss of our dear brother in Christ. His failings, if such they may be called, "leaned to virtue's side." So strong was his sympathy for the homeless and the needy, that if a fatherless applicant presented a doubtful case, he would always invariably plead the cause of the ill- founded application and give the orphan the benefit of the doubt. As a Board of Managers, we bless God for his long and useful life, so abundant in charity and good works. Viewed from the hither side, his death seems to be a serious loss. Viewed from the yonder side, it is an unspeakable gain. We mourn, but mourn with a cheerful hope. Though dead, he yet speaketh.
Resolved, That we cherish the memory of our de- parted brother. His childlike piety, his devout and earnest zeal in our orphan work, as well as his genial companionship, remain to us a lasting legacy in our bereavement.
Resolved, That we hereby tender our hearty con- dolence and sympathy to his bereaved family, praying that the God of all consolation may comfort them in their affliction, and help them and us to follow those who through faith and patience have inherited the promises.
JOHN WIEST. DIED AUGUST 7, 1883.
This Board has learned with sorrow of the death of
131
History of Bethany Orphans' Home.
Mr. John Wiest. He departed this life at his home in Freeburg, Snyder county, Pa., on August 7, 1883, at the age of 53 years, 3 months and 12 days. He was elected a member of our Board in 1866, when the in- stitution was still located at Bridesburg. During these seventeen years past he has in many ways shown his hearty sympathy with the fatherless, and his practical zeal in behalf of their welfare. Of late years he could no longer attend all of our meetings, by reason of his remote residence and enfeebled health.
The last time he met with us was at the dedication of our new building, in November last. So great was his interest in the institution that, with his greatly reduced physical condition, he traveled quite a dis- tance to be present on that memorable occasion. His life was the hard-fought battle of a conscientious, earnest, Christian man; his death brought him the crown of victory and abiding peace. We cordially bear our testimony to the noble traits of his Christian character, as an affable gentleman, an amiable and trustful friend, and zealous co-worker in the cause of Christian beneficence. Although we shall have to drop his name from the roll of our members in the flesh, our memory shall enroll his name in the growing number of sainted friends of our dear Orphans' Home in our Father's house above.
Resolved, That this Board herewith tender their hearty condolence to the family of the deceased, and pray that the God of the fatherless and the Friend of the widow may keep and sustain his bereaved widow and his fatherless children.
132
History of Bethany Orphans' Home. HON. JOSEPH LAUBACH.
DIED NOVEMBER 16, 1884.
Our friend and co-laborer, Hon. Joseph Laubach, has entered into rest. After some months of patient suffering, he fell asleep at his home in Bethlehem, Pa., on November 16th, in the 75th year of his age. As members of the Board of Managers of Bethany Or- phans' Home, we gratefully record our appreciation of his worth. We tenderly cherish his memory as that of a good citizen, a true friend and an examplary Chris- tian. Nearly twenty years ago he became a member of our Board. At that time the Home was stilll in its infancy. Since then it. has grown to its present con- dition of prosperity. In the work of its advancement he bore a very praiseworthy share. Upon this altar of the fatherless he laid with a liberal hand of his means, his influence and his time. Notwithstanding his numerous duties in other directions, he was rarely absent from any of our regular or special meetings. On a stormy day in October, he was present at the last regular meeting of the Board. He rejoiced in the triumphs and sympathized in the trials of our Home. A wrong done to it was a personal grief to him. His loving heart and frank, simple manners endeared him to every member of the Board, as well as to the in- mates of the institution. From the least to the great- est, our orphans always greeted his visits with joy. To-day a shadow has settled upon their hearts, because his smiling face will greet them no more on earth. The death of six of our members in the last ten years ad-
133
History of Bethany Orphans' Home.
monishes us to work while it is called to-day, before the night cometh, when no man can work.
As a Board of Managers, our association with him was very pleasant. How often we took sweet counsel together, and mingled our hearts and voices in the breaking of bread, in the transaction of business, and of prayer!
His homespun humor and rustic logic helped to solve many knotty questions and to get comfortably over rough places. In church and state he served his fellow citizens and his denomination in various posi- tions of public trust. In few, perhaps, did he serve with such unmingled pleasure as in that of our Board. He was a character, everybody's friend, and unlike everybody else. To us, as to many others, his life has been a benediction, and his death a personal bereave- ment. As representatives of the fatherless and their many friends on earth and in heaven, we reverently lay our chaplet on the bier of this honest man, plain citizen and humble child of God.
Resolved, That we extend our condolence to the family and friends of the deceased; and further, that, as far as possible, we attend his funeral in a body.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.