Nichols High School - Log Yearbook (Oxford, NC)

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Jin... ORPHANAGE J OHN'S BUILDING-OXFORD ST.

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A W vi Asixyi 'X I 5 1 sl X1 tux 'X S si 1.4-.lp 4 -s vqzsg, IN APPRECIATION L X X MRS. RUTH BLACKWELL Fifteen Rahs for Mrs. Blackwell Truly, we are deeply indebted to this fine teacher, and yet we feel words are inadequate to express our sincerest appreciation for all she has meant to us. Wherever she is found, she is capable, con- scientious, and understanding. Not only is she a most efficient secretary in Mr. Regan's office, but in the classroom, she has provided valuable training and instruc- tion for us in that particular field. No one has ever given more time, interest, and devotion to the work with the cheer leaders, and we know that through her efforts many scores have been made, which otherwise would have been lost, for encouragement goes a long way toward the winning. Mrs. Blackwell, on behalf of the staff and every student, we would say Thank you for everything. Pay 'gg gi -3.., :..:- A .... 5 iq 153- S' iff ' --f .... ,- Q-1-Ph: 4'-yf 1 ' S- -53? e.,4Q ,- . .t-.-sif- if '- - -Q -ini ' --... ..- .5 . Y -2 ..... M111 .E -41-nm... . We - ?. il-V F .4 .Tar le- te- 'gj-' ' i Q?-I.-ss .3 -,.-' , ... --1. '-r:!?i 1 e Eleven

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Excerpts From Address Delivered By M.'.W.'.Luther T. Hartsell, Jr., P.G.M., at Exercises Commemorating One Hundred Years of Masonic Philanthropy. Oxford Orphanage, June 24, 1955. During the era between the unique Masonic persecution and the War Be- tween the States, the Masonic Frater- nity turned its attention to worthy phi- lanthropy. Similar to several of the Southern States, North Carolina built a Masonic College. The movement for the promotion of a Masonic College was begun in 1838, when Brother David W. Stone introduced a set of resolutions to the Grand Lodge to establish a Masonic Seminary for the education of children attached to our Fraternity. This resulted in an expres- sion without concrete action. During the meeting of Grand Lodge in 1842, a resolution was introduced by Brother T. L. Lemay, That the Grand Lodge should enter some great benevo- lent enterprise, and provide for the establishment of a committee to study and report plans for the establishment of a Charity School. Each year the consideration of a Sem- inary of Learning consumed its share of the attention of the Grand Lodge. Many plans, ideas and projects were at- tempted during these years until the fast growth of Masonic Lodges around 1851. The name Saint John's College was decided upon, and Oxford was chos- en as the location, because of the gene- rosity of Tuscarora Lodge No. 122. In 1853 E. H. Hicks deeded to the Trustees of St. John's College, a tract of land containing 109 acres for the price of S4,480. In 1855 the Trustees awarded to John Berry the contract for the brick work on the building at 5511,- 106.00, and to J. N. Holt the contract for the wood work at S11,394.00, a total cost of S22,500.00. On June 24, 1855, the cornerstone was laid with Masonic Grand Honors by Most Worshipful Brother Clement H. Jordan, of Roxboro. The Reverend Brother Le- onidas L. Smith, of Warrenton, was the Orator for the day. The Trustees re- ported to the Grand Lodge in 1857 that the building had been completed with 513,000.00 debt. The doors of the college were opened July 13, 1858, with Professor Ashbel G. Brown in charge, and Mr. James Camp- bell as assistant. The institution was for male students only, but the school did not prosper. Two years later Thos. C. Tuley attempted to carry on the work, with Joseph Venable as assistant. They, also, failed to operate the college on a profitable basis. The civil strife between the North and the South caused the suspension of many of our Southern Schools. Saint John's College suspended operations at the be- ginning of the War. At the close of the War Between the States, John H. Mills made arrangements to remove the Female School he was conducting, into the college building. The school failed. Mr. Mills was followed by the Reverend J. H. Phillips, who was succeeded by the Reverend C. B. Rid- dick. The session of schools ended in 1871, each attempt resulting in failure. During these years of reconstruction, when it seemed impossible to reestablish a school in the Saint John's College Building, the Grand Lodge sought means of disposal of the property, and by the 1872 session of the G-rand Lodge the paramount question was: What shall be done with St. John's College? One resolution was introduced that the prop- erty be soldg but a substitute motion by John H. Mills, that The St. John's Col- lege be made into an Asylum for the protection, training and education of in- digent orphan children. The substitute motion finally prevailed and Brother John H. Mills was elected Superintend- ent. The Grand Lodge appropriated S500 and the Orphanage was born. February 13, 1873, an old battered wagon drove up to the front of the St. John's College Building, and Brother Mills received into his arms: Robert L. and Nancy Parrish, and Isabella Robert- son, Granville County. From a little acorn a great oak tree does grow. The ideal of Masonic Char- ity, struggling for thirty-five years to take root, sprang up in the life of Ox- ford Orphanage. We can look around us to see the physical results of 100 years of Masonic Philanthropy, but we must view the entire world to know the spir- itual power of this Masonic Love, that has been engendered into the lives of thousands of boys and girls, who, hav- ing lived beneath the oaks in Oxford Or- phanage, are infusing the world with their interpretation of Masonic Love. Page Thirteen W n- ? 'QS' 'Q' I ' - -152.4 ' . eeaga-vii .i.is-2.-ri.-. ,- -ges ' -I ' i e-' a. -1 ' -ir- W if . - Ju:-f npggg,-Q lbubgafl, -Q3 ' ' A C - 3:1 .Q e f g- .. 'F' ' 151 . fx diff ' - : use - '- 9 ..-L. Y:,EQ .w v- Ef 5 ' -'5'f' . f-ii, 3 33715351