I should have mentioned that since the beginning of summer the dining and sitting rooms have been plentifully supplied by the nurses and patients with flowers gathered in the fields, woods and garden. In all the cottages an effort was made to can as much fruit as could be obtained to provide for the table in winter. Respectfully submitted, B. M. FOX, Matron. Report of the Protestant Chaplain. OCTOBER 1, 1901. To Dr. WM. P. SPRATLING, Medical Superintendent: The following is the report of the work of the Protestant Chaplain from February 1 to October 1, 1901: The regular preaching and Sunday school services have been conducted every Sunday afternoon, the combined service beginning at 2.45 p. m. Bible and song services have also been held. Elders and Bluet Cottage have been used. The musical instruments are a piano in the former and an organ in the latter, patients served alternately as organists. The House of the Number under pastoral care, about 400. Attendance, preaching services, 125 to 150; Sunday school, over 100. Bible services, separate, 60 men, 60 women. Pastoral visiting has been regularly conducted, calling at all the cottages of the patients every week. The preaching and pastoral work was acceptably performed during July by Mr. William A. Aiken, a student from Auburn Theological Seminary. The study of the Bible has been systematically encouraged, and Bibles and religious literature brought within reach of the patients. This intellectual element is found helpful in promoting courage, contentment and patience. Song also affords great pleasure and profit to the participants. Donations of religious literature will do great good and will be greatly appreciated by the recipients. The endeavor is to make all feel a true Christian fellowship, and to use religious influences to banish homesickness and to overcome worry and temper, those foes of nervous sufferers. Thus, these influences build up faith and strengthen right character. The strong feeling is expressed that fundamental, manual and intellectual training are urgently needed as proper bases for the religious and moral influences to have their full and proper effect in character building and helpfulness to health. The work has been steady and of a healthy character, the ground being broken and good seed sown. The above report is respectfully submitted. REV. ALFRED F. PRATT, Report of the Catholic Chaplain. OCTOBER 1, 1901. To Dr. WM. P. SPRATLING, Medical Superintendent: At the close of the present fiscal year, which also terminates my first year as Catholic Chaplain of Craig Colony, I have the honor to submit the following report: During the year there have been nearly 300 Catholic patients at the Colony, 12 of whom have died. For varied reasons 18 have returned to their homes, some greatly benefited by the treatment here received. There are at present 261 Catholic patients at the Colony; 146 men and 115 women. Of this num ber about 50 are never able to attend public religious services, owing to physical or mental disability. All the others are free to attend the services provided for them on Sundays and certain other days throughout the year. The following order of service is taken from the printed card given each Catholic patient: Mass, Sunday, 9 a. m. Sunday school for girls, Sunday, 3 p. m. Sunday school for boys, Sunday, 4 p. m. Confessions (men), second Saturday of month, 4 p. m. Communion (men), second Sunday of month, 6.45 a. m. Confessions (women), fourth Saturday of month, 4 p. m. Communion (women), fourth Saturday of month, 6.45 a. m. Mass at 7 a. m. on following days of year: New Years, Ascension day, August 15th, November 1st, December 8th and Christmas Day. In arranging these services it has been my aim to give the patients ample opportunity to perform all the duties of their religion, and at the same time not to conflict with the estab lished order that must necessarily be preserved in a large institution. In visiting the cottages two or three times a week, and the hospital daily, I find that a chaplain may benefit the patients in many other ways besides conducting the above mentioned services. Our religious services are now held in the House of the Elders, but will be transferred to the new Catholic chapel, which will be completed some time in November. This chapel (with adjoining cottage for the chaplain), which has been so generously donated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop McQuaid of Rochester, will have cost about $12,000 when ready for use. Much of this money is the personal gift of the Bishop. Situated on the east side of Kishaqua creek and but a few feet from the gorge on an excellent site, it can be seen from all parts of the Colony. It is a brick structure, Romanesque in style, with blue stone and terra-cotta trimmings. Its full length is 85 feet by 40 feet wide, and has a seating capacity of 300. The tower, including a surmounting cross, is 52 feet high. In furnishing and decorating the interior, it is our aim to give a cheerful effect, and at the same time to preserve a thoroughly religious aspect. The stained glass windows, which the Bishop has already ordered from Germany, will contribute greatly to the interior beauty of the place. And we feel confident that this chapel, when complete, will not only add one more desirable feature to the Colony plan on which the institution is founded, but that it will also serve as a haven of solace, where God's poor afflicted can commune with Him who never turns a deaf ear to human woes. In concluding this report, I am prompted by feelings of personal gratitude to thank the officers and employees of the Colony from whom I have received so many helps and courtesies during the past year. Respectfully submitted. J. A. MALEY, Catholic Chaplain. |