Glimpses of old Glasgow

Part I. Historical

Benevolent Institutions

BENEVOLENCE and philanthropy are the true outcome of Christian principle and feeling. This has been practically exemplified in the large number of such institutions in our city, which are wholly supported by voluntary contributions. Our citizens are proverbial for their large-hearted and generous giving whenever a worthy object is put before them. In these pages I can only briefly notice some of them with which I am familiar.

THE ORPHAN HOMES OF SCOTLAND. - This great work of philanthropy, commenced by Mr. William Quarrier in our city a quarter of a century ago, was small in its beginning, but grew year by year. The City Home and Night Refuge in James Morrison Street receive children from two to thirteen years found begging, sleeping out, or destitute; working boys, who have no home, from fourteen to eighteen years; and virtuous young women, out of employment, and no relatives to care for them, from fourteen to thirty years of age. Near Bridge-of-Weir, Renfrewshire, stands his "City of Refuge," charmingly situated. In 1872 the number in the Homes then in existence was 93; in 1882 the number had increased to 459; while in 1893 there were under his care, 1271. The number of young people sent to Canada in 1872 was 64; in 1882, 138; and in 1893, 268. The passage and outfit of each is £10. The cost of maintenance of the homes and emigration expenses from 1872 to 1893 have been £152,763 7s. 5¼d. The expenditure on buildings and ground from 1872 to 1893 has been £133,565 5s. 6¾d. Total amount received since 1872 till 1893 has been £286,328 13s. For maintenance alone it requires fully £50 per day. While other excellent agencies have collectors gathering money to carry on their work, Mr. Quarrier has none. He relies entirely on what the Lord may send through His stewards.

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DUNOON CONVALESCENT HOME AND BROOMHILL HOME FOR INCURABLES. - These Institutions owe their genesis to Miss Beatrice Clugston, whose gracious life and noble philanthropic deeds will long be kindly cherished. In a small home at Bothwell she began her Christ-like work in 1865, and in 1869 was inaugurated the well-known Dunoon Home, which since then has frequently been enlarged. These homes are greatly appreciated. They have been a boon and a blessing for the recruiting of many a weary and suffering one. Although Miss Clugston has passed "into the presence of the King," the homes in which she expended time, strength, and money, continue to be liberally supported by the public.

EAST-PARK HOME FOR INFIRM CHILDREN. - This beneficent institution for the relief of incurable and infirm children is situated in the north-west district of the city. With recent extensions ample accommodation is provided for the little sufferers. By the unwearied zeal of Mr. William Mitchell, of School Board fame, and the hearty co-operation of the ladies and gentlemen associated with him, many patients have had their bodily ailments greatly alleviated, and their minds instructed.

THE CHARITY ORGANISATION SOCIETY was instituted in May, 1874. The objects which this institution chiefly desires to attain are the following: The repression of indiscriminate and foolish almsgiving and mendicity; the exposure of imposition which preys on the public; the organisation of charitable relief, and its effective administration; the prevention of overlapping in charitable and benevolent effort, and consequent waste of money and power; the amelioration, through suitable agencies, of the condition of all poor persons; the discovery of the deserving poor, and relief according to their needs; and the collection by accredited officials, or the receiving by schedule of subscriptions of all bona fide charitable and benevolent institutions.

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The methods of attaining these objects are various, and among the ways and means used by the Society are: Investigating agents for discovering facts; the labour yard for testing willingness to work, and for providing subsistence wages in return for work done; tickets for food and lodging; grants, loans, fares, clothing, medical aid, etc.; registry for employment, or labour bureau; private register of cases to afford information and prevent imposition; confidential reports for subscribers and others legitimately interested; friendly visitors to deal with cases beyond the immediate reach of the Society; and co-operation with the sheriffs, the magistrates, the parochial boards, the charities, and the churches of Glasgow.

THE GLASGOW BENEVOLENT SOCIETY in 1832 began its work. For over sixty years it has quietly been rendering help to the deserving poor by giving them bread and coals. Missionaries and Bible-women are the chief agents in distributing to the needy its gifts of kindness.

THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN. - This Society began its humane work in Glasgow in 1844. Its reports from year to year unfold the beneficent work it is accomplishing. For 1892 the cases involved the welfare of 1,863 children.

THE GLASGOW DAY-NURSERIES ASSOCIATION. - The objects of this Association are the establishing, support, and extension in suitable localities in Glasgow and suburbs of day-nurseries for children of the working-classes, where the parents require to work outside their homes to earn a living. It has already six district nurseries scattered over the city.

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THE GLASGOW EAR HOSPITAL was founded in 1872. Its objects are the treatment of poor persons suffering from ear diseases or deafness. In 1891-2 no less than 6,175 out-door and fifty-one in-door patients were treated by it.

THE HOUSES OF SHELTER AND MISSION SHELTER. - These institutions are carrying on most humane work among females liberated from prison who are desirous to reform and to support themselves by honest industry.

THE GLASGOW CONVALESCENT HOME, LENZIE, was established in 1866. It has accommodation for seventy-five patients, of whom thirty are taken from the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, ten from the Western Infirmary, and thirty-five from the general public resident in Glasgow and the neighbourhood. The ordinary expenditure is a little over £2,000 a-year. There are two visiting medical officers.

GLASGOW ROYAL HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN. - The objects of this institution are the medical and surgical treatment of poor children suffering from non-infectious diseases or accidents. This hospital has seventy beds. Since its opening to 31st December, 1892, there have been 4,641 children in its wards.

NIGHT ASYLUM FOR THE HOUSELESS. - In 1838 this institution was established to provide a night's shelter and a comfortable meal to houseless persons, who, but for it, would be left exposed in the streets, lanes, or closes of the city, In 1891 there were 43,821 admissions: average nightly of 120.

CITY OF GLASGOW NATIVE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION was founded by the late James Lumsden, Esq., in June, 1844. Its object is to afford assistance to relatives and widows and families of natives of the city, who formerly were in good circumstances, but by reverse of fortune or otherwise are in need of assistance.

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THE GLASGOW SICK POOR AND PRIVATE NURSING ASSOCIATION. - This institution, founded by the late Mrs. Higginbotham, in 1875, maintains a staff of highly qualified medical, surgical, fever, and midwifery nurses for nursing patients. In 1892-3 the number of cases treated was 1,555. It has been a great benefit to the suffering poor.

THE GLASGOW INSTITUTION FOR ORPHAN AND DESTITUTE GIRLS was established in 1826. It provides a home for poor girls, having accommodation for sixty. The younger girls are sent to the Board Schools for education, while the older get a practical training for domestic service.

POOR CHILDREN'S DINNER TABLE. - Established in 1869. Does most beneficent work. It has tables in thirteen different districts of the city, and gives about 2,400 dinners daily.

THE SAILORS' ORPHAN SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND - founded in 1889 to feed, clothe, educate, or otherwise provide for the orphan or fatherless children of seafaring men who have been left in destitute circumstances - has over 350 children under its care. Its income for year ending March, 1893, was £9,048.

THE WIDOWS' FRIEND SOCIETY relieves destitute Christian widows in Glasgow. It is supported by voluntary contributions. Nearly 800 widows are assisted annually.

BARONY OF GORBALS BENEVOLENT SOCIETY was instituted in 1806. Since its formation its pecuniary aid to old inhabitants of that district has been great, and fraught with much good to the recipients. The late Bailies Gourlay and Craig did much to foster and develop the usefulness of the Society.

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GLASGOW TRAINING HOME FOR NURSES is located in Renfrew Street. Its objects are to train, or cause to be trained, women of high character for the work of nursing the sick. While it sends out nurses to families, it has accommodation for private patients.

MAGDALENE INSTITUTION. - The Magdalene Asylum, instituted in 1815, was merged in this institution in 1867. Its objects are the repression of vice and the reformation of penitent women, and the rescue and protection of young women who may be in imminent danger of being led astray.

MISSION TO THE DEAF AND DUMB. - Instituted 1822. It seeks out and attends to the general wants of those so afflicted, and strives to minister to their temporal and spiritual needs. There are 650 deaf mutes under the care of the mission, some of whom are blind as well. Religious services in the silent language are regularly conducted, while home visitation is systematically carried on.

ASYLUM FOR THE BLIND. - For sixty-five years this charity has given education and industrial training to the juvenile blind, and provided a home for poor and destitute blind children and aged women. It also teaches trades, and provides employment for adult blind men and women.

DISCHARGED PRISONERS' AID SOCIETY. - This Society was instituted in 1856, its object being to befriend and reclaim discharged prisoners and convicts, by helping them to find steady work, or assist those who wish to return to friends at a distance.