8

The Board cannot omit here to make reference to the services
of Prof. Root of the City Public Schools. His very acceptable aid
as a teacher of Music has been given regularly and gratuitously.
This portion of the education of the inmates is highly appreciated,
and while it affords a means of enjoyment, its influence is most
genial and effectual in fastening upon the heart and memory sen-
timents and precepts that will never be entirely eradicated. It
serves also to ensure method and harmony in the devotional sing-
ing on the Sabbath, and in every respect cannot be too highly
valued. To this estimable gentlemen too, the Board are glad of
the opportunity of publicly expressing their gratitude.

On the 9th of December last, the Board celebrated the Anni-
versary of the opening of the House of Refuge. The exercises
were held in the Central Presbyterian Church, when appropriate
addresses were delivered by the Rev'd Dr. H. V. D. Johns and
Rev'd Dr. J. McCron, to a large and attentive audience. The
information imparted and the appeals made on the occasion met
with so much favor, that on the written request of several of our
most respected citizens, a repetition of the exercises, with the
kind consent of the speakers, was held at the Eutaw Street M.
E. Church, on the 29th of the same month. A crowded audience
was a flattering compliment to the ability of these earnest co-ad-
jutors of the Refuge as well as a grateful evidence of the interest
which the community feel in the aims and results of the Institu-
tion. A pleasing incident on the last occasion was the choral
part of the exercises which was performed by the inmates.
On the 12th of May last, the first Convention of Delegates from
the juvenile Reformatories in the United States, was held in New
York. Its object was to bring together the statistics of this par-
ticular branch of public benevolence, to compare experience, to
confirm what was good in all and to suggest improvement in
any, where needed. The results of the proceedings on the oc-
casion with much additional interesting matter, have been prin-
ted and a copy will be laid on the table of each member.

And now in conclusion,—grateful for the large degree of ex-
cellent health that has prevailed during the past year at the Ref-
uge; for the good order and encouraging improvement of the in-
rnates, and for the many manifestations of kindness exhibited for
their benefit, by so many friends of the Institution, thankful to the
State and City authorities for the aid which has hitherto been ap-
apropriated to our service, and above all, impressed with a deep
sense of gratitude to the Almighty, for our success thus far, we
feel that we have reason to be hopeful for the future and so take
courage and press on earnestly and untiringly in the prosecution
of the work to which we have set our hands.

In behalf of the Board of Managers,

                                   G. BROWN, President.

JOHN J. Graves, Secretary.
Baltimore, January, 1868.