This department is maintained, primarily, as a school of printing, in order to provide the boys, who show aptitude in this line of work, with such specific training as will enable them to take jobs in this field when they finish and, thereby, become self supporting. Every boy who has completed the course in this department has a job. The training consists of practical work in composition, bindery, linotype, press and addressograph operating. Since our reorganization of this department a year ago, it has functioned more efficiently and economically.

The job printing division of the Printing Department receives very little work outside Masonic circles, but does all the printing for the Orphanage, printing of the proceedings of the Grand Masonic Bodies and printing and supplying materials for subordinate lodges.

The Orphans' Friend, which is edited by Mr. Frank M. Pinnix, affords the Printing Department also with a large amount of practical work. This periodical is published twice each month, is the organ of the Grand Lodge and also is the Institution paper. There are approximately 12,000 subscribers, which are solicited largely by our traveling representative, Mr. G. T. Matthews. During the year Mr. Matthews has been given the entire State and is doing a splendid piece of work.

The Job Printing Department has been able to operate during 1938 with a small profit, while the Department of The Orphans' Friend continues to operate with a deficit. It is hoped that some plan may soon be worked out to relieve the Orphanage from constantly going in debt to provide this periodical.

This whole department is set up as one of the divisions in our Vocational Training School and young men, who receive their training in the Printing Department at the Oxford Orphanage, are in great demand in North Carolina.

The Singing Class continued its usual tour through North Carolina, reaching most of the 100 counties of the State and giving approximately 200 concerts. This agency of the Orphanage has been operating for more than sixty years and its influence in making this State orphanage-minded cannot be estimated. The income in 1938 compares favorably with that of recent years. Fourteen children, after intensive training, are away from the campus at least eight months during the year and the net income from their concerts is of great help in financing the Orphanage. It brings the Home into direct contact with the Masons of the State and with thousands of other North Carolinians.

With all the benefits of the Singing Class, there are increasing difficulties in arranging for its engagements over the State. It became necessary a few years ago for them to travel in their own bus. With a concert in a different place each night and with their absence from school, aside from the many dangers on the road, I am constantly wondering if the Singing Class has not outlived its day. If the income, which is secured by this method, could be provided in some other way by the Masons of North Carolina, I feel that this agency should be discontinued.

This department is also maintained as a training school and, throughout the years that have passed, has given to the State hundreds of young men who are now self sustaining, as they are found at work in many of the shoe shops of this and other states. All of the every-day shoes, worn by the children in the Orphanage, are made in this department. All the shoe repair work of the Orphanage is also done here, while there is a small amount of commercial work sent in from those outside the Orphanage family, without solicitation. The quality of the training which this department provides is well known over the State and our boys are in constant demand.

The work of our Health Department is largely preventive. All pupils must be vaccinated against smallpox, diphtheria and other forms of immunization from disease by vaccination are carried out through the course of the years. Many of our children come to us undernourished and with minor ailments, most of which are soon corrected by this department.

Our 72-bed hospital provides adequate facilities for our ordinary daily needs and gives us room in case of an epidemic for the treatment of those who are sick. The Orphanage employs a dentist (part time) whose attention to the dental needs of the children is evidenced by the splendid condition of their teeth. We likewise emphasize proper diet, plenty of good food, sufficient rest and exercise and constant attention to even the smallest ills of the children.

During the year there were several children whom we sent to Duke Hospital for operations and other care and with splendid results.

We regret to report the death of one of our finest boys, Charles Moricle, who became seriously ill from a dangerous blood stream infection. Every medical aid within reach was offered, but the dreadful germ had done its work and he could not be saved. Our record of deaths is remarkable in that for more than eleven years we have lost only three.

The outstanding person in the Health Department of the Orphanage is our own Dr. N. C. Daniel and the esteem and affection in which he is held, not only by the Orphanage, but by the citizens of Oxford, was evidenced by the presentation to the hospital of splendid portrait of this faithful physician.

During the year there has been a great improvement in this department. Plans were used to prevent soil erosion and winter cover crops were used extensively. There was an addition of more than 20 acres of land during the year and, with a few other changes, we have been able to make this department more valuable.

Our herd of cattle is free from tuberculosis and Bangs disease and more than 100 gallons of whole milk is consumed each day by the Orphanage family. We provided all of our pork for 1938 and a considerable part of the lard, veal and some beef. The addition of the cold storage plants two years ago made it possible for this whole department to be of great service, while at the same time we have been able to purchase meat and other products in larger quantities and at a great saving. The farm produces a large supply of vegetables and fruit in season and we have been able to save all the surplus by canning. We are also fortunate in being able to secure fresh vegetables throughout the winter season, some of them from our winter garden and others purchased from passing trucks.

The farming department also provides training for a large number of boys and now and then one of them is able to find employment on the farms and dairies of our State. We do not produce any farm produce for sale and the net cost of farm operations is added to the cost of food at the end of the year.

This department is also maintained as a school, the purpose of which is to train young men in special lines of electrical work. Approximately 10 boys are in training in this department all the time and we have had no difficulty whatever in placing our young men who complete this course. The work consists of rewinding motors, generators, etc., and some commercial work is secured from over the State which is most carefully and accurately done under the direction of the trained and experienced head of this department. The electrical work of the Orphanage, in all of its buildings and departments, consisting of many motors and electrical equipment of various kinds, is also serviced by this department and, at the end of the year, the net cost is charged to the repairs and upkeep of equipment on the campus.

The John A. Nichols or Orphanage School for a number of years has been a part of the city and state school system. Our building is leased to the local school district and more than 100 town pupils are grouped with the Orphanage children in this separate unit of the Oxford City Schools. We have found this entirely satisfactory and a very convenient arrangement for meeting the educational needs of the Orphanage and surrounding community. In addition to the teachers provided by the State, we have found it necessary to add a few other departments and teachers and likewise to supplement the salaries of some others. In order to meet our needs, it is also necessary to operate certain grades of the school longer than the eight months State term in order to provide the necessary days and hours in school, as required by the State system. The report of the Principal follows immediately and reveals the splendid type of work done by the school unit.

The Library at the Oxford Orphanage at the present has nearly 5,000 volumes and is one of the busiest and most valuable agencies here. A few years ago it was relocated in the school building and furnished with modern library equipment and has for a number of years passed the State High School requirements for a standard library. The Library is open during school hours and two nights each week and is used, not only for general reading, but for reference work, especially for the different departments in the High School. The teachers and Librarian work together with the pupils and it is one of the remarkable things of the campus that the pupils here make such large use of the library facilities. Classes are conducted in “How to use the Library” and, with the two literary societies having become quite active, the Library is indispensable. Miss Myrtle Branch, our Librarian, has spent several summers in the study of Library Science and is highly qualified by training, temperament and general culture for the leadership in this phase of our work. The Grand York Rite Bodies have been interested in the Library for a number of years and make an annual contribution, known as the Carson York Rite Library Fund. The Scottish Rite Bodies of the State have recently become interested and likewise made liberal gifts. There are a number of individuals who have become interested in the Library. Mr. Alexander B. Andrews, and a number of others, have made contributions to this fund. Several individuals have sent contributions for the use of the Library instead of sending flowers at the death of their friends. This policy has been adopted especially by Statesville Lodge, No. 487. This affords a splendid opportunity to provide a continuing memorial for some loved one.

This Department was revived some years ago and it is interesting to note that more than 30 of our girls are enrolled in these classes, under the splendid leadership of Miss Madge Rhyne. The classes are conducted along the lines standardized by the State and their projects include practical undertakings in connection with their cottages and dining room activities. Many things have been accomplished by these girls and especially a new attitude has been assumed toward the clothing and food departments as the girls become more informed as to the practical use of these agencies and have entered into the work and their projects with a new zeal. Special dinners, banquets and other occasions are often managed by the pupils of this department and the value of this training for our girls can not be estimated.

This department is carefully organized here at the Orphanage, under a head clothing matron, and its activities are centered in the Girls' Industrial Building. It is our opinion that good food and neat and substantial clothing adds largely to the contentment of pupils, cultivates a sense of pride and adds to their general feeling of security. The Clothing Department, with the Laundry, Sewing Room, Mending Room and fitting department, each with its matron, under the direction of Miss Hall, the head clothing matron, meets the requirements of the clothing needs of our children in a splendid way. At Thanksgiving and Christmas time we have received splendid gifts and donations of clothing and materials from many of the mills of North Carolina. Mr. Ben Cone, of Greensboro, and Mr. Fred Seely, of Asheville, have been outstanding in this contribution of materials and have assisted us in a considerable way in meeting the clothing needs of our children.

The W. P. A. Sewing Rooms in Oxford and Durham have made large quantities of cloth into children's clothing and the Orphanage is able to secure this service because of the fact that contributions are received from the State of North Carolina. We are deeply grateful to this agency for the assistance given. There is a long list of donors of clothing material and we wish to acknowledge again with gratitude their gracious remembrance of our needs.

We completed two years of work in this department and decided in August, 1938, to discontinue it. We found that only on rare occasions do any of our boys go into agricultural fields of work and that the program of projects and training as conducted by the teacher was not suited to our needs and was not made adaptable. For the rural high school of North Carolina, we feel that this is a most valuable department, as boys go back to their fathers' farms and pursue vocational agriculture, but with our boys, who are without parents and without farming opportunities upon finishing, we concluded that the funds allotted by the Government for use in this work could be used to a better advantage in the rural districts of North Carolina.

It is our opinion here at the Orphanage that the Food Department is essentially fundamental. We feel that the equipment should be of the very best, utilize labor saving devices, electric equipment and every precaution to insure sanitation and economy. Many of our problems of behavior may be solved in the kitchen and dining room and the attitude of both children and workers is much better when they are properly and well fed. With this in view, we have set out during the last few years to improve and modernize our whole food department.

We are, therefore, raising more fruit, vegetables and produce on our farm. We are producing more meat products and improving the herd of milk cattle and increasing the quantity and quality of our milk. We feel that we have made substantial progress along these lines.

We have also provided adequate cold storage facilities that we may keep not only what we produce for a longer period of time, but that we may buy fresh produce and meat in larger quantities and effect considerable saving. We have also completely renovated and rebuilt the kitchen and dining rooms; our kitchen and baking facilities are now all electric and the cost of operating has actually decreased while the cleanliness, elimination of heat and all of the ills, incident to the old type of wood stove, enables us to keep a cleaner and better kitchen. The dining rooms have been refurnished and redecorated, better dishes have been provided, new heating system installed in these departments and adequate supply of hot scalding water is now on tap at all times. With the help of all who are involved in this department and under the leadership of our Dietitian and her assistants, we have greatly improved our food supply and the children are more contented and we can readily see an improvement in their physical condition and resistance to diseases.

We realize that here in the Orphanage home that we have youth with all its attendant energy, desires and needs. In a well rounded development of young life, we recognize the importance of training in the social graces and particularly the development of those qualities which enable young people to get along together and to take their places not only here in the daily life of the Home, but in the days to come.

We are giving increased attention to the social development of our children. Parties, hikes, picnics, dances and social contacts of many descriptions are encourged and it is interesting to observe our teen age boys and girls on calling nights and at other times when they meet each other in their social contacts. We are likewise encouraging these things among our workers that they may provide more in life and activity as an example to our boys and girls. The athletic program includes various forms of activities. The swimming pool during the summer interests every child and constitutes our principal athletic and recreational activity during the summer season. Tennis courts and equipment have been provided and at times are popular. We encourage soft ball and volley ball among the girls in season. The boys are encouraged in baseball and during the season for this sport there are many teams of all ages and sizes. Football is probably the outstanding sport and athletic activity among the boys and, in addition to the varsity squad, there are at least three other groups who practice regularly and play on regular schedule with other Orphanages and schools in season. Three of our young men workers are directing this activity and also the other athletic activities of the boys, in addition to their work as teachers in high school and counselors in the cottage. The benefit of this sport through the years can not be estimated, especially in the cultivation of school spirit and poise. Our teams, especially in football, have received most favorable comment for their good sportsmanship, splendid physical condition and their hard playing. Our varsity squad this year made quite an enviable record as we played some of the strongest high school teams in the State. One of our boys was selected on the All-State high school senior team, which played for the benefit of the Crippled Children's Hospital in Charlotte on December 3rd. This boy, Frank Ballard, has a bright future ahead of him on account of his athletic ability and training. We are expecting that other boys will receive attention and notice in the coming years.

We have eliminated basket ball and boxing as these winter time sports require the absence from the campus at various times and often late at night on the slippery highways. Our children also enjoy the picture shows as other children, but we make an effort to select only the best for them to attend and frequently the owner of the picture show here in town invites the Orphanage family on holidays to enjoy some special picture which has been selected. The children, from their allowance, secure their own tickets at reduced prices.

We should also like to mention the fact that all of our children past nine years of age, receive a monthly allowance in money, which they check out of the bank as they need it, under the direction of the Principal of our school. This practice has had a most excellent result, giving the children a feeling of independence in buying the little articles which they want, picture show tickets, money for Sunday School and church collections as they like and it has had a fine influence in discouraging petty thievery. Many of the pupils save their money during the years and at graduation some have sufficient money saved to pay their entrance fees, etc., for nurses training courses and similar agencies. While this is an expense on one hand, we are confident that the results obtained are well worth the cost.

We can not say too much about this recreational and, now, educational enterprise. It is a gift of the two Shrine Temples of North Carolina and has been in operation about 15 years. Every child in the Home goes into the pool daily during the season and our records indicate that there has been only one fatality. Regular trained life guards are provided at all times there are children in the pool who teach swimming and diving and offer courses leading to both the Junior and Senior Red Cross life saving certificates. A large percent of our high school pupils possess these certificates and a number in the grammar grades have junior certificates; thus providing quite a number who are trained in life saving at all hours when the pool is open. This has become a practical benefit for the use of the pool, aside from its recreational health-giving and athletic training value. One of the most interesting and beautiful events of the year is the annual water pageant, presented under the direction of Mr. E. T. Regan, at the swimming pool as the season closes. At this time special recognition is given those who earn certificates.

The arrangement of the buildings on the campus of the Oxford Orphanage is convenient and makes a beautiful appearance on an old campus. It has been our policy to keep these buildings adequately insured and at the same time in a good state of repair. We, therefore, employ a full time worker to keep the buildings in shape as we feel this is a saving in the long run. With 30 buildings to care for it is a considerable task to keep them in repair.

The grounds of the Orphanage, with the beautiful grove, is a heritage from the past. Some one in the yesterdays, mindful of the beauty of a wonderful grove and campus, preserved and passed on to this generation one of the beauty spots in North Carolina. We are striving to maintain its beauty and make preparations for the coming generations to continue the enjoyment of a magnificent grove and beautiful surroundings. We, therefore, have kept the trees pruned, the campus fertilized and, through the beneficence of a friend, have been able to place beautiful shrubbery around the buildings and over the grove. We feel that beautiful surroundings of campus and buildings has likewise a fine effect upon the temperament and lives of the pupils. Our greatest need in this line is for improvements of the interior of our buildings by repainting, rearranging and adding new furniture to make them more homelike.

The general equipment within our buildings and within the institution comprises a large amount of apparatus, much of which is electrically operated. This requires the constant service of a man to see that our pump and water systems are in good shape; that our sewer system, which now empties in the city lines, is kept up. With the large quantity of electrical apparatus and stokers it is a continuing task to keep everything in shape and operating. We are fortunate in the splendid men whom we have to work with our buildings, grounds and equipment.

There is a growing interest among the alumni in their Orphanage home and also a keener interest in themselves. There is a general Alumni Association and also units and chapters in different parts of the State. This organization seeks to keep in contact with those who are finishing and to render assistance to them in any way possible. Also, it continues its efforts to develop among the Alumni an abiding interest in their Home. The work of the Alumni is quite effective and more and more of our former boys and girls are returning for visits to their Orphanage home while we strive to make them feel at home and provide them with a welcome as they return.

The annual home coming day, under the auspices of the Alumni Association, was a great success in 1938. The largest number in the history of the Association came back to the old Home and the picnic dinner on the campus was an occasion never to be forgotten. The Orphanage encourages the family relationships with all who have lived here and there is a growing feeling of attachment to the home and an interest among the Alumni. The Alumni are given the right-of-way when they return and the Association is to be encouraged and congratulated on its accomplishments.

The staff of workers in the Oxford Orphanage is carefully selected. Many of them have been here a great many years and are retained as long as they are effective and cooperative. We are gradually raising the educational requirements for the workers in the Home and call your attention to the list of workers in the first pages of this report and to their educational accomplishments. Under the direction of the Superintendent, a program of training of workers is carried out. A section of the Library is furnished with books for the workers, frequent lectures and conferences are held and we are sending at least five each season to the Summer School for Orphanage Workers, held at Duke University.

We are striving to create an atmosphere of security, both for workers and children, and to create the feeling of friendly cooperation. We, therefore, call the people who supervise our cottage work by the name of “counselors” and in no case do we attempt to tell a pupil that we are taking the place of father or mother. This can not be done. In matters of discipline and dealing with behavior problems, we are endeavoring to accept each pupil as a personality, strive to analyze each case and determine the cause of misconduct and set about with corrective measures.

The capacity of the Orphanage has been fixed at 350 pupils and it is our aim to do gradually a better piece of work rather than extend limited services to a larger number. There is a turnover of pupils annually of about 35. The older and larger ones, including the graduates, are usually placed in jobs or undertake further training and education. The younger and smaller pupils who are discharged from the Orphanage usually go back to relatives whose homes have been reestablished. Our Case Worker visits among the kin people of the children to observe changes which have occurred and which make it wise for the children to return. Some few are discharged as incorrigible. It may be considered wise in the near future to admit no children under five years of age, in order that all who are here may be in some organized educational plan, beginning with Kindergarten, and, further, that we may eliminate that long number of years to care for a child which is necessary when the very young and small are admitted. This matter is now under advisement.

We are proud of the records which our pupils make when they leave us. So far as we are able to find out, not a single pupil who has been in the Orphanage has been indicted and sentenced for committing a major crime. Oxford Orphanage boys and girls make good and this fact is the dividend paid from the continued investment which is made in this type of work.