In the earlier history of the Free Methodist Church the forces were so small, the resources were so limited, and there were so many things demanding immediate attention in the denominational "struggle for existence" that some branches of organized Christian activity were naturally overlooked. Among these things were public benevolences. Not that the Church lacked interest in such matters, but it lacked organization for reducing its interest to a more definite and practical basis. The most of its benevolent work was then done through the cooperation of benevolent individuals with institutions already organized for such work.

In the year 1884, and also the following year, convictions were growing upon a few minds within the Genesee Conference that the time was near when the Church should engage in organized benevolent work; and those convictions finally materialized in the

Mrs. Ann Chesbrough, wife of Rev. S. K. J. Chesbrough, is entitled to the credit of having been the originator of the Orphanage and Home. The demand for such an Institution was the subject of several conversations between the Chesbrough family and Rev. Henry Hornsby during the conference year of 1884-1585. The conviction that the Church ought, without further delay, to enter upon such a line of Christian work rapidly strengthened. Those concerned in these preliminary interviews felt that God had laid the burden of this work upon their hearts. Some of them. having no children of their own, felt it to be their duty to devote their means and efforts to providing for some of the many helpless children of the land, who were left without parents of their own to care for them.

 

At the annual session of the Genesee Conference held at Parma Center, New York, in the autumn of 1885, a meeting of those interested in organizing for the establishment of such a work was called. At this meeting, Rev. W. A. Sellew presented the following resolutions, which were adopted:

"That we believe the time has arrived for us, as Free Methodists, to take steps looking to the founding of an Orphanage and Home under the control of our church.

"That the chairman appoint a nominating committee of three, who shall, at tomorrow's sitting [of the Conference), nominate a permanent committee of three, who shall, with as little delay as possible, secure the legal incorporation of such an Institution."

Henry Hornsby, S. K. J. Chesbrough, and W. A. Sellew, were nominated, and elected by the Conference, to serve as committee on securing a Charter.

This committee met at Gerry, Chautauqua County, New York and drafted a Charter, which was submitted to Hon. E. S. Pitts, of Medina, New York, for correction, who also kindly introduced it in the Senate, and secured its passage by the Legislature of the State of New York.

The first meeting of the trustees was held at Gerry, August 27, 1886, at which the Board was duly organized by the election of Henry Hornsby as president, John T. Michael, vice-president, Samuel K. J. Chesbrough, secretary, and Walter A. Sellew, treasurer.

No suitable location being found, and also for other sufficient reasons, the work was not begun until two years later. At the annual meeting in 1888, Rev. W. A. Sellew made a proposition to the Trustees, concerning the transfer of the Gerry Seminary property, which he then owned, to them for Orphanage and Home purposes. The Seminary property consisted of about eight acres of land, one frame two-story building, 40 x 70 feet, with basement of stone; one wood-shed, 16 x 24 feet; one barn, 24 130 feet; one hen-house, 12122 feet; and two finished out-houses. The cost of the whole was about $7,200, of which the land cost $1,200. It was proposed to deed the whole of the property to the Trustees for the founding of an Orphanage and Home, on consideration of the payment of $1,500 to Mrs. Jennie H. Sellew, who had $2,500 of her own means in the Seminary property. This generous proposition was readily accepted, and steps were immediately taken to pro vide necessary funds to pay the $1,500 and to begin the work of reconstructing the school building for Orphanage and Home purposes.

The original Board of Trustees was composed of the following: Walter A. Sellew, Henry Hornsby, Peter D. Miller, John S. MacGeary, Alanson K. Bacon, Jarvis K. Wilson, Wilson T. Hogue, George W. Gurley, Olin M. Owen, Melville C. Burritt, Albert McCoy, Hiram Beardsley, William Manning, John T. Michael, Oscar Partridge.

On May 1, 1890, the Trustees purchased ten acres of land adjoining the Orphanage and Home property, at a cost of $1,500. The land had a house and barn on it, but they were in poor condition. The land was much needed by the institution, and was a valuable addition to the other property on various accounts. Other small places in close proximity to the institution were also purchased from time to time.

During the first year after the opening of the institution Mr. L. Atwood, a layman living at Rome, New York remembered the institution in the gift of a bond for $1,000 as a beginning of an endowment fund. Others gave generously toward the purchasing of land and for defraying current expenses. A charge of a few hundred dollars is made for the admission of aged people, and the money thus received is always added to the endowment fund.

About 1905 the Trustees purchased a farm of one hundred twenty acres adjoining the Home, at a cost of $4,400, from which is grown much of the living of the Home family. Besides what the family consumed, products of the farm were sold during 1914 to the amount of over $2,100.

In the beginning there were but few old people, and these and the orphan children were all housed in the same building. In 1898, however, a separate building was erected for the aged, at a cost of $14,000. This was a beautiful, steam-heated building, in a sightly position, with modern, up-to-date improvements, affording each aged person a beautiful and completely furnished room, providing cheery public sitting and reception rooms, din mg-room, bath-rooms, toilets, and in fact well-nigh everything that could minister to the comfort and cheer of the inmates. The Old People's Home was designed for the aged of both sexes, and without respect to race, religion, nationality, or any other qualification, except a previous record for respectability, and freedom from contagious disease.

At the end of 1914 the Old People's Home had thirty inmates, and the Orphanage had sixty. The Manager, Matron, teachers, nurses and helpers numbered eighteen, making the total family of the institution 110. The expenses for the year bad been about $1,000 a month. The Treasurer reported a slight indebtedness, incurred largely by the building of an addition to the orphanage. A school is maintained for the children, an isolation hospital is provided for use in case any contagion breaks out, nurses are employed to look after the sick, and all is done that can be done for both the physical and moral welfare of those entrusted to the care of the institution.

Those who made the largest contributions to the Orphanage and Home since it was founded are the following: Henry Hornsby, of West Kendall, New York, gave $960 in cash and a farm which sold for $7,500, making a total of $8,460; W. A. Sellew, of Jamestown, New York, his $4,700 interest in the Seminary building which was converted into an Orphanage, and has since been very liberal in its support; William Phillips, of Newfane, New York, from proceeds of sale of farm, $4,000; Mrs. Charlotte Phillips, Newfane, New York, a house and lot, value about $2,600; Mrs. L. Essex, of Franklinville, New York, $1,750 cash and a farm which brought about $2,400, making a total of $4,150; Thankful Burritt, of Chili, New York, by will, $2,300; B. E. Strong and Emily Strong, his mother, both of Gerry, each made several gifts of $500; Mrs. Jennie R. Sellew, $1,000. Others gave liberal sums, but the foregoing are the names of those who gave $1,000 or more.

The institution has completed a quarter of a century of its history, and in that time more than 1,000 children have been cared for under its management, and a large number both of aged men and women have found maintenance, shelter, rest, care, comfort, and agreeable associations in which to spend the closing years of life, beneath the roof of the institution. In closing his Annual Report for 1914, Mr. Jarvis K. Wilson, the Superintendent, very appropriately said: "In the providence of God the Gerry Homes are now closing a quarter of a century of their labor and success. Could its promoters, some of whom have passed on before, look back and see the work that has been done in the uplift of the needy and the comfort given to both young and old, they would rejoice with us in the labor and sacrifice given to carry on this branch of God's work."

The Chicago Industrial Home for Children was formally opened March 4, 1889, at 1722 North Whipple street, Chicago, Illinois. The incorporation dates from September 22 of the previous year. The original incorporators were as follows: James D. Marsh, Thomas B. Arnold, James H. Porter, Rachel A. Bradley, Tressa R. Arnold, Maggie G. Parker, Mary C. Baker, George W. Whittington, Ellen L. Roberts, Morse V. Clute, Sarah Beach, Albert W. Parry, Eliza C. Sanborn.

From the Annual Report of October, 1907, the following information is borrowed respecting the earlier history of this institution:

The owner of the property [Thomas B. Arnold] above mentioned had been taking in children, keeping them for a time and finding homes for them, or boarding them for some father or mother whose home had been broken up. This work had grown until it had become too burdensome to be borne as a private undertaking. Other charitably disposed persons were consulted, and on their advice the above named corporation was formed. The institution was without funds, and the work of arousing public sentiment was slow; but a conviction that the work was much needed, and that the hand of Providence was guiding, gave courage to the promoters of the enterprise. The trials and discouragements were many, but as the work became better known the sup-port became more generous.

For two years the institution was run in the above mentioned house, when to our great joy the property now occupied by the institution at Woodstock, Illinois, came into our hands, and the children were removed to that place. The transfer of the property was on this wise: Mrs. Roxey D. Stevens, a widow without children, desiring that her property should go to some good cause after her decease, upon hearing of our work, gladly deeded the property to the Home, taking a life lease.

A cottage was purchased and refitted for her use, and a liberal annuity was paid her during her life. The acquisition of the property gave the Home a good foundation on which to build. The old brick building, though substantially built, needed many repairs. These were made, the building was enlarged, a commodious barn was erected, and a building which accommodated a steam laundry in the basement, and a gymnasium for the boys; op the first floor, and a dormitory for the older boys and the farmer, was erected. With these enlargements and additions the institution can accommodate fifty children very comfortably.

The farm, comprising about forty-three acres, enables the institution to raise its own vegetables, feed cows enough to supply the Home with good, fresh milk, chickens enough to supply fresh eggs, and grain and hay to keep the horses necessary to work the place.

The scope of the work has been described under three heads, as follows: "Home-finding, home-saving, home-providing." For such children as are surrendered to the institution it undertakes to find homes in good, Christian families. No child is placed in a home without a previous thorough investigation of the character of the applicants, and their ability property to educate the child. Wherever it is possible, as it is in many cases, to save a home from being broken up by keeping children temporarily, this is done. A mother may be left either by the death or desertion of a husband with a family of children. On account of failing health, or of other unfavorable circumstances, she may be unable to care for them for a time, but when the disability is removed, she may be able to take them under her own care, and thereby the home is preserved. Then there are also cases where a father or a mother, as the case may be, would be able, were a home and care provided for their children, to earn not only their own support but enough to contribute in part at least to the maintenance of the children. In such cases the institution undertakes to provide the home and care for the little ones, believing "it is better for parents, where circumstances will permit, to contribute something toward the care of their children than to be entirely relieved of the burden."

The institution has the indorsement of the Illinois State Board of Administration, whose Certificate it bears; also the indorsement of the Subscriptions Investigating Committee of the Chicago Association of Commerce. The State of Michigan has likewise recognized the institution, and authorized it to "carry on business in the State for the purpose of placing dependent children in selected Christian homes, supervising them until they are of age, or until they are self-supporting, and indenturing them or procuring their legal adoption."

From the first Thomas B. Arnold was Superintendent until 1913, with the exception of perhaps one year when J. D. Kelsey held the position, and two years when W. P. Ferries held it. In the fall of 1912 Mr. Ferries was elected Superintendent, discontinued work in the pastorate to give the work of the Home his undivided attention, and has since filled the office efficiently and acceptably.

For many years the Home has published a monthly periodical called The Children's Friend, which officially represents it, and which is a sprightly little sheet full of good things for young and old alike. Mrs. Emma L. Hogue has been its Editor from the start. It was recently converted into a magazine in form. This periodical has done much to give the institution a worthy representation wherever it has circulated.

During 1911 and 1912 the Home was practically rebuilt, being made in the full sense of the term a modern building, well adapted to and equipped for the purposes of a Children's Industrial Home. The cost of thus rebuilding the institution was about $10,000.

The Chicago Industrial Home for Children has done much excellent work along the several lines for which it was founded during the years of its history. From 1,000 to 1,200 children have found within its enclosure tender care, comfortable sustenance, good educational advantages, excellent training, wholesome moral and religious instruction, and thereby have been saved from becoming victims of those evil circumstances which are almost sure to result in viciousness of character and criminality of life.

The objects of this institution are to provide and maintain a Home for aged people of both sexes, who are in a measure dependent, where they may have the advantages of good accommodations, agreeable associations, pleasant surroundings, comfortable sustenance and tender ministrations when needed, amid which to spend the closing years of life. Certainly its objects are both philanthropic and Christian, and as such can but appeal to the sympathies and to the aid of generous people everywhere.

The doors of the Best Home are ever open to aged people, who need such a place of rest and care, without respect of nationality, race, creed, or religion. Many have already found shelter, care, and comfort in their last years within its enclosure, and the managers are only sorry that their limited room does not admit of their taking in many more. The Home inmates usually number in the neighborhood of twenty, which, with the Matron and the other helpers, make quite a family to maintain. The capacity of the Home provides for about twenty-four inmates.

The following are the persons who have filled the chief offices of the institution since it was founded: President, T. B. Arnold, 1903-1913; W. P. Ferries, 1913-1915. Secretary, F. D. Brooke, 1903-1915. Treasurer, W. B. Olmstead, 1903-1906; F. D. Brooke, 1906-1915. Superintendent, W. P. Ferries, 1903-1906; J. P. Kelsey, 1906-1915.

The first inmates of the Rest Home were Mrs. Anna Jacobson and Mr. and Mrs. James Keyt. Mrs. Jacobson and Mr. Keyt are still living, both past eighty years of age. For twelve years they have been made comfortable in the Old People's Best Home. These are only samples of the good work which the institution has accomplished during its brief existence.

In one respect at least the impulse to inaugurate the work of caring for the helpless resembles the movement which culminated in the formation of the Free Methodist Church. The inspiration came to the East and to the West at the same time. What was called the "Nazarite" movement in Western New York had its counterpart in Northern Illinois in what was called "Redfieldism." Those who were gathered around the standard of holiness in Dr. Redfield's revivals in Northern Illinois were termed in derision "Redfieldites," just as those who espoused the cause of holiness in the Genesee Conference were termed in derision "Nazarites." As the movements were well-nigh simultaneous in the beginning, so were the movements for inaugurating benevolent enterprises aimed at caring for the helpless about twenty-five years later. None who has known the history of these later movements can doubt that they were prompted by the Spirit of God as certainly as were the original revivals which culminated in the formation of the Free Methodist Church.