G IF T 
 
 EX LIBRIS 
 
 CUSS OF 1086; PH.D. THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 

 
 PROSPECTUS OF 
 
 w: 
 
 SOUVENIR HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 WHARTON ORPHANAGES 
 
 £ % 
 
 ‘ A little child shall lead them.' 
 
 FOR THE CARE OF 
 
 DESTITUTE CHILDREN, 
 
 ■ 
 
 The Willard Home, 
 
 / 
 
 
 The “ Whosoever” Farm, 
 
 The Wharton Industrial School, 
 
 Ocean Grove, N. J. 
 
 Luray, Va. 
 
 > 
 
 Charlotte, N. C. 
 
 All under the Personal Direction of the Rev. H. M. Wharton, D.D., 
 Pastor of the Brantly Memorial Baptist Church, Baltimore, Md 
 and President of the Luray College, Luray, Va. 
 
 ♦t 
 
 To be Published especially for the benefit of the above-named Charitable Institutions. 
 
 “It is more blessed to give than to receive. 
 

 
 REV. H. M. WHARTON, D.D. 
 
 Pastor Brantly Memorial Baptist Church, Baltimore. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 ' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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flntrotmcton\ 
 
 'JS any reader of these pages conscious of some little life whose threads—which, 
 
 through some- benign or divine influence, or through the ties of blood, are 
 interwoven with his own—are threatened with fatal failure or sudden break ? 
 
 Is there any little voice, the music ol which is to him the sweetest sound on 
 earth, often heard to complain : “ Oh, I’m so tired; I am always so weary?” 
 
 If so, have courage, take heart ; not always do such little ones go early to 
 their rest. Possibly they may grow strong ; and likely the wheels of life will 
 drag wearily along the road until the end ; but it is probable that such an one is 
 fostered by a mother’s tender care and devotion, a father’s love, or a guardian’s 
 solicitude, and is surrounded with all the comforts of home ; while it mav be 
 others will fall from whom no such plaint was ever uttered, whose cheeks were 
 rosy with the blush of health, and whose little bodies spoke well for health. It is 
 not meant that they may fall necessarily from lack of physical nourishment, or a 
 dearth of medical care, for it may be the absence of mental culture and proper 
 instruction looking to their spiritual welfare that will lead to their downfall for 
 time and eternity. Which of the two hypotheses is the more mournful of 
 contemplation ? 
 
 Happily, however, the Wharton Homes generously provide for either 
 contingency. Will the reader see to it that their field of usefulness shall be 
 increased? And do not let it be forgotten that it was of these little ones He said, 
 “For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” 
 
 There could be no appeal more tender than the wants of a fatherless, mother¬ 
 less child ; and when these wants include food, clothing, shelter, a loving sympa¬ 
 thizing friend, a guiding hand, the best impulses in our nature are aroused. 
 
 The Wharton Orphanages were commenced in a peculiar way, but God never 
 works as we would suppose. “ He moves in a mysterious way.” These pages 
 will tell you something of what has been done, and may lead you, by His help, to 
 lend a hand to move us on to greater achievements. There is no limit to the 
 good that may be accomplished. Those, who from the first have entered these 
 labors, have never questioned the fact that they are workers together with God, 
 and that He will not fail nor forsake them. Their prayer is for sufficient means to 
 receive into their care all the forsaken and pitiful little children who daily knock 
 at our gates. 
 
 The object of this work is manifold. First, to take these children from 
 surroundings which must be their ruin for time and eternity ; an entne change ot 
 environment is the first great need. Formation is fai bettei than reformation. 
 Then, to put them under moral and religious training, always keeping in view the 
 “Home” idea, not the “Institution.” We educate them not alone in books, 
 but in work and practical knowledge which will prepare them foi making the \ er) 
 
 best of life. 
 
 7 
 
Hbc “Mbosocvcr” Ibonte anb jfann, 
 
 Xurav, Dirgtnta, 
 
 <H AS established for the protection 
 illed children, boys and girls, 
 the outcast and neglected. 
 
 , support, education, and training of imper- 
 It is non-sectarian, and intended only for 
 
 H. M. Wharton, D.D., 
 
 President and Treasurer. 
 
 Albert Nichols, 
 
 Superin ten den t. 
 
 It is operated under a Charter from the Legislature of Virginia, with the 
 following Trustees: 
 
 H. M. Wharton, Jas. B. Hudson, E. J. Armstrong, 
 
 N. A. Rust, A. W. McKim, Wm. L. Hudson, 
 
 W. T. Riedler, E. T. Booton, M. M. Hargrove 
 
 V. H. Eord, L. H. Keller, H. V. Hudson, 
 
 irts ifMston?* 
 
 BOUT ten years ago three children, two boys and a girl, whose father had 
 been killed, and whose mother was in the penitentiary, fell into Dr. Whar¬ 
 ton’s hands. With these children and five dollars the work began. 
 
 Securing the service of a widow lady and her niece and renting their home, 
 the door was opened for destitute children without regard to creed or denomina¬ 
 tion, preference being given to the children of the fallen and outcast. It was 
 unique in its character and at once arrested the attention of the public. Applica¬ 
 tions came from societies for protection of children, and from mothers whose 
 husbands were criminals or drunkards, and from poor, lost creatures who still de¬ 
 sired that their daughters might be saved. The needs were so pressing and wide¬ 
 spread that the Doctor saw there must be an enlargement of the work at once. 
 Not having the means at hand to purchase larger premises, he moved to Luray, 
 Virginia, and located them on a farm near the town. The railroad and turnpike 
 run through the farm, the water is abundant, the fine mountain air and the charm¬ 
 ing scenery make it peculiarly fitted for this enterprise. It is about five hours from 
 Washington. A charter was obtained from the Legislature, and trustees and offi¬ 
 cials and all necessary provisions for its lawful and successful management were 
 appointed. Instead of one large building the 
 
 C. H. Grove, 
 
 S. A. Walton, 
 
 T. J. Berrey, 
 G. T. Chapman. 
 
Parlor Montgomery Cottage, Whosoever” Farm. 
 
 / 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2019 with funding from 
 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
 
 https://archive.org/details/prospectusofsouvOOunse 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 
 
Whosoever” Farm Scene. 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
She will Graduate in 1914 
 
■ 
 
 SCHOOL BUILDING AT LURAY 
 
♦♦ ♦♦♦ W \J V ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 
 
 
 Mbarton IRormal anb llnbustnal School for Coloreb cbtlbrcn 
 
 Charlotte, 1R. C. 
 
 ^HIS SCHOOL was founded by Rev. A. Shepard, D.D., and was named for 
 
 Dr. H. M. Wharton, who was further complimented by the title of “ Bene¬ 
 factor,” and as such he gives to its welfare and advancement much of his valuable 
 time and personal attention. 
 
 The school opened its fifth session Monday, September 12, 1898, with an en¬ 
 couraging outlook. It occupies an elevated and beautiful site, given by the First 
 Baptist Church for the education and elevation of the colored race. The building 
 is neat and comfortable. The climate is healthy and salubrious. Every year the 
 Trustees seek to enlarge its scope and fit it for greater usefulness. 
 
 All persons desiring catalogues are requested to apply to the President, Dr. 
 A. Shepard, 800 Church street, Charlotte, N. C. 
 
 The course in Methods is especially designed to give students who are pre¬ 
 paring to teach, such a course in pedagogics as will enable them to understand 
 something of the laws of the mind, and how to direct the education of the children 
 whom they are to teach. In addition to the regular studies of the class, lectures 
 are given on teaching, on school management, government, and the relation of 
 mental and moral science to the work of instruction. Students taking this course 
 have work in practice teaching under the direction of an experienced teacher, and 
 thus have an opportunity to become practically acquainted with the various 
 methods of instructing and managing classes. 
 
 15 
 
personnel 
 
 ♦ ♦ ♦ 
 
 ♦ ♦ 
 
 Of the 
 
 Mbarton IRonnal anb llnbnstrial School. 
 
 ffacultg. 
 
 REV. A. SHEPARD, D.D., 
 President and Founder. 
 
 REV. T. D. ATKINS, 
 Principal. 
 
 MISS LIZZIE RIDDICKS, 
 Assistant Principal. 
 
 MISS FANNIE GORDAN, 
 Instructor in Needle-work. 
 
 M. T. POPE, M.D., 
 Instructor in Physiology and Hygiene. 
 
 PROF. E. J. YOUNG, 
 Instructor in Vocal Music. 
 
 PROF. C. PI. JONES, 
 Instructor in Instrumental Music. 
 
 Boarfc of trustees, 
 
 REV. A. SHEPARD, D.D., President. 
 
 M. T. POPE, M D., Secretary and Treasurer. 
 J. H. JOHNSON, Charlotte, N. C. 
 WILLIAM HAWKINS, Charlotte, N. C. 
 MILAS SMART, Charlotte, N. C. 
 WILLIAM NORRIS, Charlotte, N. C. 
 
 -SHUFORD, Charlotte, N. C. 
 
 N. P. FRENCH, Charlotte, N. C. 
 
 Benefactor, 
 
 REV. PI. M. WHARTON, D.D. 
 
 1G 
 
THE WILLARD HOME OCEAN GROVE 
 
 4 
 
The late FRANCES E. WILLARD. 
 
 WOMAN called of God, a woman who preached Christ in politics, Christ in 
 the home, the equality of the purity of men and women, the liberation of the 
 oppressed, the destruction of legalized wrong, the upbuilding of all that was 
 great in home, in government and in the nation. 
 
 Lady Henry Somerset. 
 
 is 
 
tlbe Mtllarb ibome, 
 
 ©cean ©rove, 1R. 3a 
 
 jCJ LADY at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, has recently given and conveyed to 
 Dr. Wharton by deed a large cottage, with ten acres of ground, for the pur¬ 
 pose of establishing an Orphanage for the care of the children of our American 
 soldiers, and also for the care of those unfortunate little ones whose parents have 
 been ruined or who have died from the curse of strong drink. It is the request of the 
 generous giver that this Home bear the name of the honored and lamented Frances 
 Willard, who gave her life for the unhappy victims of intoxicating drink. Miss 
 Willard has set the world a blessed example, and we who, in a humble way, have 
 the opportunity and means to assist this modest and earnest philanthropist in 
 carrying on her work, should count it a great privilege to render any assistance in 
 our power. There could be no stronger appeal to our benevolence than the 
 helplessness of the little ones whom we seek to save, and no greater incentive than 
 the consecrated life of this sainted woman. It is encouraging to know that how¬ 
 ever little we may do, it will not be lost, either in the general work of providing 
 and sustaining this Home, or in the mind of Him who said, “ Inasmuch as ye did 
 
 it unto the least of these, ye did it unto me.” 
 
 Like the other Homes under Dr. Wharton’s care, it is non-sectarian and open 
 alike to all destitute children who come within the sphere ol the purpose of the 
 donor, namely, the children ol soldiers or of those who have been mined b\ diink. 
 
 This home will be opened as soon as sufficient funds shall have been con¬ 
 tributed to enable us to begin. It will supply a need which is deeply felt, but is 
 not met by any institution. The Home must be well furnished, and it will be 
 necessary to build a chapel and school-rooms and secure the necessary attendants. 
 The children are ready, and we shall soon have the arrangements made for their 
 reception if the response comes, as it is firmly believed it, will. 
 
 19 
 
V 
 
 LURAY COLLEGE-WEST FRONT. 
 
Xetters of Endorsement and Commendation. 
 
 From among the hundreds of letters received by Rev. Dr. Wharton, the Editor of this 
 / olume , has been permitted to select a few at random . 
 
 FROM GEN. FITZHUGH LEE. 
 
 Rev. H. M. Wharton, Baltimore, Md. 
 
 Sir . I beg to add my testimony to that you have already received, and thank you for 
 the offer of the institution over which you preside to provide a home for the orphan children 
 of soldiers who lose their lives by disease or in battle. 
 
 Expressing the hope that the orphans of Cuban soldiers may be included in your gener¬ 
 ous proposal, I am, Very truly yours, 
 
 (Signed) FI I ZHUGF1 LEE, Major-General Commanding. 
 
 FROM THE DAUGHTER OF GEN. JOE WHEELER. 
 
 Dear Dr. Wharton : I am very deeply interested indeed in your Orphanages in Vir¬ 
 ginia and elsewhere. Anything in the world I can do to further the interests of either will 
 give me the greatest pleasure, so please consider me entirely at your command at any time. 
 
 Always your friend, (Signed) ANNIE WHEELER. 
 
 FROM HON. C. J. FAULKNER, U. S. SENATOR FROM WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 My Dear Mr. Wharton :—I am delighted to learn of the progress you are making in 
 the care of orphan children, and especially the outcast and imperilled. I know of no one who 
 could more successfully look after these, who so much need assistance, than yourself. 
 
 With very best wishes, I am, truly yours, (Signed) CHAS. J. FAULKNER. 
 
 FROM HON. H. H. CABANISS, ATLANTA EVENING JOURNAL, ATLANTA, GA. 
 
 My Dear Doctor :—The work that you have been doing for several years past in caring 
 for orphan children is a noble one, and there is praise for you in the mouths of all good people 
 who know of it. Some record of your work in book form would not only put it in enduring 
 shape, but be a guide to others as to how to do this work, and an inspiration to them to 
 attempt it. With very best wishes, I am, 
 
 Sincerely your friend, (Signed) H. H. CABANISS. 
 
 FROM HON. H. R. POLLARD, CITY ATTORNEY, RICHMOND, VA. 
 
 Dear Sir I beg to commend to the prayers and benefactions of a generous and patri¬ 
 otic public the grand work you are doing at your Orphanage Farm at Luray, Va. It is as it 
 should be, to the glory of the civilization of this age, and especially to our beloved land, that 
 no orphan shall grow up untrained and untaught. It is easier and better by such means as 
 you have inaugurated to cut off the supply of recruits to the tramping thousands than to 
 restrain or reform when once idle and evil habits have been formed. 
 
 Yours sincerely, (Signed) HENRY R. POLLARD. 
 
 FROM HON. B. H. WARNER, OF WASHINGTON CITY. 
 
 My Dear Doctor :— I take pleasure in commending your good work to the attention 
 of all parties who may have money to spare. "V ou will benefit not only the present but future 
 generations. He who assists in caring for and educating children helps to make angels. I 
 am sure you will have a large credit balance in the next world as well as in this one. 
 
 Sincerely your friend, (Signed) B. H. WARNER. 
 
FROM DR. TALMAGE. October 4, 1898. 
 
 The Orphanages of Rev. Dr. Wharton are worthy of the man who controls them. Dr. 
 Wharton’s work in pulpit and in beneficent institutions is something marvelous and divinely 
 inspired. Let all good people forward him with their prayers and generosities. 
 
 (Signed) T. De WITT TALMAGE. 
 
 FROM D. L. MOODY. 
 
 My Dear Wharton :—You have my best wishes for the increasing success of your 
 schools and orphanages. This country needs that Christian influence should be trained more 
 and more around the young while they are receiving their education. 
 
 Trusting that you will be blessed and prospered in all your efforts along these lines, 
 
 I am, very truly yours, (Signed) D. L. MOODY. 
 
 FROM HON. W. J. NORTHEN, EX-GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA. 
 
 There is nothing I can say which would be too much in commendation of the work which 
 Dr. Wharton is doing for orphan children. There is no man in America moie fitted for it, or 
 better qualified to accomplish great good for the helpless little ones who are coming under 
 his care. I believe that God's blessing will go with his efforts, and that those all through the 
 land who are assisting him in his good work will find it the very best investment they can 
 make. (Signed) W. J. NORTHEN. 
 
 FROM HON. JOHN W. DANIEL, U. S. SENATOR. 
 
 Lynchburg, Va., September 17, 1898. 
 
 Mr. Wharton : — I take pleasure in commending the noble work you are doing in pre¬ 
 paring a refuge for orphan children, especially the outcast and destitute, who need public 
 charity. The statement of the case is its own strongest appeal to those who are able to help, 
 and I hope the good work may be blessed with much fruitage. 
 
 Very truly yours, (Signed) JOHN W. DANIEL. 
 
 FROM GENERAL JOHN B. GORDON, OF GEORGIA. 
 
 My Dear Dr. Wharton: —lam delighted to learn that some Georgia children are to 
 be gathered into the fold and fostering care of the “Whosoever” Home. In all my travels 
 I do not recall an institution which more enlisted my sympathies or commanded my confi¬ 
 dence. God’s hand is surely in this great work. I was deeply impressed by the character 
 and intelligence of the Christian people in charge, by the bright, cheerful look and manner of 
 the little inmates, and by all the appointments and surroundings of the institution. If the 
 Christian people of the country knew as much of its non-sectarian and noble work as I do, it 
 would surely never want for the means of support and extension. 
 
 With earnest good wishes, I am sincerely yours, (Signed) J. B. GORDON. 
 
Some of tbe Applications for Hbmissioiu 
 
 I he kindly forethought of Dr. Wharton in declining to allow the names of applicants to be 
 published is manifest , and the reasons that govern him are obvious , but in order that friends 
 may see something of the appeals which come in the mail every day, we append a few extracts. 
 A T early all of these children zvere accepted. 
 
 Re\. H. M. Wharton. Newport News, Va., August 2, 1898. 
 
 Dear Sir:— I write to make application to you for admission to the “Whosoever” Farm for 
 a friend of mine. Her son and only support has gone to the Cuban war. She is very needy, 
 with two little children to support. What I pray you to do is to take her children and also to 
 give her employment there, that she may not starve. She is a nice little woman and can sew 
 real nicely, and I feel sure you could employ her, that she could have a home for herself and 
 children also. 
 
 Please write at your earliest possible convenience, and do all for this woman and children 
 that the blessed Lord has put in your power to do. Most humbly, 
 
 Rev. H. M. Wharton, Baltimore Md. Asheville, N. C., August 3, 189S. 
 
 Dear Sir :—I am a widow of a soldier and have three small children and wish very much 
 I could get at least the two youngest in some good home for a few years. My husband was 
 in Company D, troop of the 6th Cavalry. I have three children, one a girl now eight, two 
 boys, seven and five. I came to Asheville hoping to find sewing to support them, but work 
 here is not plentiful and I am a stranger. If I could get the boys a home, I think I could keep 
 the little girl with me. I have some sewing at present, but not enough to support us, and it 
 is away from home, and I am obliged to leave my children while I do it, and it distresses me 
 very much, for the boys need some one to look after them. I believe I could clothe them and 
 perhaps sometimes send them some money to help support them, for I do not wish to give 
 them up, but to find a home until they are older and I can take care of them. I can refer 
 you to numbers of army officers and some navy. If you think there is any chance of their 
 getting in your Home, would you please write ? Very respectfully, 
 
 Rev. H. M. Wharton. Northumberland, Pa., August 2, 1S98. 
 
 Kind Sir :—I read in the Christian Herald of your Home in Luray, Va. I have two little 
 ones that need just such a home. I am a trained nurse, and married a man and he abused 
 me so dreadfully that I was compelled to leave him. Could you by any means get me a posi¬ 
 tion in the Home and take the children there, too ? If I could only get something to do there, 
 
 I could nurse, sew or do anything. 
 
 Please let me hear from you soon. If you cannot take me, could you take my children? 
 H. M. Wharton, D.D., Baltimore, Md. 
 
 Dear Sir :—There is in this place a family in which are four or five little girls, their ages 
 ranging from ten years dowm to two. The mother is depraved and the father a drunkard ; 
 the children are in my class in Sunday School (where we provide clothing for them). The 
 mother has expressed the wish to find homes for the children, and though I did not say to her 
 that I would try to find homes for them, your “ Whosoever ” Home was suggested to me. If 
 there is any hope that you wall be able take them, will you please let me hear from you, giving 
 the necessary information, and whether or not you are able to do anything for these unfor¬ 
 tunate children ? May God bless you in your noble work. Very truly, 
 
 23 
 
Contributions. 
 
 The most of the voluntary contributions to these humanitarian ejfot ts are small , though 
 occasionally a check for $100 is received , and as high as $500 or $1000 sometimes. Beloiv 
 are given a fezv samples of co?ilributions received. 
 
 A friend in Newark, N. J., encloses check for one hundred dollars and writes that he 
 takes pleasure in making this contribution to the blessed work. 
 
 A Sunday School in Massachusetts sends sixteen dollars If each Sunday School in the 
 land would send us one small collection, it would enlarge our work a hundred fold. . 
 
 A good man in Petersburg, Virginia, claims the privilege of giving fifty dollars a year. 
 This takes care of one child. 
 
 A class of young ladies in the First Baptist Church, Macon, Ga., Rev. J. L. White, D.D., 
 pastor, pays sixty dollars a year to support little Effie Wynne. 
 
 A godly man and his wife in Germantown, Phila., out of gratitude for the conversion 
 of their son and daughter, gave one thousand dollars to build a cottage. It is one of the 
 prettiest cottages on the “ Whosoever ” Farm. 
 
 A class of young ladies in Hartford, Conn., has undertaken the clothing of one of the 
 little girls. 
 
 Two very dear friends, a gentleman and his wife, in New London, Conn., give fifty 
 dollars a year, and their prayers and sympathy are quite as helpful as the money they give. 
 
 A good-hearted brother in Baltimore, who will not let his name be known, sent $25 last 
 year and says he will double it this year. 
 
 The editor of the greatest daily paper in the South sends his annual gift and helps us by 
 his paper as well. 
 
 The people of Luray, Va., make annual donations to the Farm. We hold assemblies 
 there each summer, and the children sing and recite and the noble-hearted people give with 
 tearful joy. It was a precious sight this last summer to see a little orphan standing with hat 
 in hand while the multitude pressed to the front with their gifts. God bless them, one and all. 
 
 The above will give an idea how these homes are supported. The great and 
 constant need is money for this work. As the Lord sends the money the field 
 widens and increases, and the precious harvest grows. 
 
 04 
 
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Photomount 
 
 Pamphlet 
 
 Binder