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Page Six George Whitefield and Bethesda Continued from Page 1 An instance of the latter is found in an anecdote related by Benjamin Frank¬ lin in his autobiography. Though not in sympathy with his religious beliefs, Franklin was a great admirer of White field and went often to hear him preach when he a^eared in Philadelphia. Franklin was interested in the project of the orphanage too, and tried to per¬ suade Whitefield to build it in Phil¬ adelphia where workmen and materials would be more readily available. This Whitefield declined to do and Franklin washed his hands of the matter, resolving not to contribute. Later, however, on one of the evangelist’s visits, the canny Philadelphian went as usual to hear him but fully determined not to give a penny if he made a plea for the home at the close of his sermon and finished with a collection for it. But let Franklin tell the story. “I had in my pocket a hand¬ ful of copper money, three or four silver dollars, and five pistoles (Spanish coins) in gold. As he proceeded 1 began to soften and concluded to give the coppers. Another stroke of his oratory made me ashamed of that and determined me to give the silver. But he finished so admirably that I emptied my pockets into the collector’s dish, gold and all.” It is interesting to note that White field had to do with the founding of the Charity School m Philadelphia, the be¬ ginnings of which came about in large part as a result of the religious revival accompanying Whitefield’s preaching. The University of Pennsylvania traces its founding to the establishment of the Charity School. It is appropriate then that on the campus of that institution should appear a statue of Whitefield in heroic size and striking posture. This contribution to art and history was made by the late Tait McKenzie, noted sculp¬ tor, who on a visit to Bethesda several years ago presented the home with an excellent photograph of the statue as shown in the accompanying cut. The picture bears this inscription: “To Bethesda from Tait McKenzie, a souvenir of May 13, 1936. A tribute to the spirit of Whitefield which is here shown so well.” The statue was the gift of Meth¬ odist alumni of the university which had its beginning as the Charity School in Whitefield’s tabernacle. That the work of the orphanage was uppermost in Whitefield’s mind is evidenced by his asking for a grant of five hundred acres of land as a site for it, in lieu of salary as curate to the colony. His faith in the Power he served and his self confidence assured him that his beloved project and he, himself, would find ready support. The passage of time justified his faith. During the re¬ maining thirty years of his life and care of the home, it flourished. After his passing, dark days came and Bethesda went through a series of misadventures and disasters, but, as if the indomitable spirit of Whitefield still presided over its destiny and strengthened the hands of its supporters, the home survived. And who will den ,T that from generation to generation the faith and fire of the founder has continued to live in the minds and hearts of Bethesda’s friends. BETHESDA NEWS The Georgia Chapter, Colonial Dames of America, in 1916 laid the corner¬ stone of, and a few years later completed, the handsome little chapel of Early Geor¬ gian architecture that bears his name. Other organizations of historical signi¬ ficance, and individuals in memory of historic characters, contributed to the furniture of the building in such a wav as to make the immortal presence of Whitefield a reality. It is not difficult to imagine him standing in the lofted pulpit in an attitude similar to that of the pictured statue. And in the chancel on the altar dedicated to his friend John Wesley, there is perhaps a light that never goes out. On the occasion of Mr. McKenzie’s visit to Bethesda, he was introduced to the boys. When a staff member re¬ marked, mistakenlv, that their visitor had chiseled the statue out of stone, a small fry chirped: “He must be a great chiseler.” (The figure is actually of bronze.) Bethesda Closely Belated to Rotary Continued from Page 5 stantially to Bethesda’s welfare. For several years, Lee Jones, a Bethesda student, was organist for the club. His friends, discerning his great musical talent, financed a course in piano and pipe-organ at Yale. He is now with one of the broadcasting systems, and has a brilliant war record to his credit. PLANT REBUILT The present superintendent of the home, Max Livingston, is a member of the club, and has in a brief period won the confidence and esteem of his fel¬ lows. During recent years the plant at Bethesda has been practically rebuilt. New buildings, fine dairy herds, in¬ creased farm acreage, all bear testi¬ mony to leadership, energy and close personal attention of someone, and for much of it, the “someones” responsible are Rotarians. HAS BETHESDA COMMITTEE For years Rotary has had a Bethesda Committee, members of which have de¬ voted not hours, but days and weeks of time, thought and personal endeavor. The members of the committee for 1946-47 are: W. T. Bennett, chairman, Lawton M. Tison, A. J. Nitzschke, Er¬ nest C. Bull, Arthur W. Solomon and J. F. Jackson. Bethesda stands today as a memorial to a great idea, to the work of many minds, and many friends, to the de¬ velopment of useful manhood, to achievements, tangible and intangible, and well exemplifies the Rotary ideal of service above self. Frank L. Elliott—Paul G. Lubeck ELLIOTT AND LUBECK PLUMBING AND HEATING 1107 Bull Street Savannah, Ga. Telephones: Office 3-8966 Night 7921-2-4994 February, 1917 1946 Christmas Donations Continued from Page 2 Mrs. Albert Martin, Mrs. Fred Warner, Mrs. Walter W. Worrell, John M. Hut¬ ton, Mrs. Harry Carter, Mrs. Edwin Clements, Mrs. A. Syd Williams, Mrs. Robert N. Snead, W. R. L. Roberts, Mrs. Fred Hodges, Mrs. A. L. Simpson, Mrs. Alex Elkins, Mrs. Frank H. Perkins, Mrs. Charles R. Whitman, Mrs. William Opper, Mrs. William Duflock, Mrs. L. A. Looper, Mrs. John Winchester, Tully Pennington, Mrs. Edward Perkins, Mrs. J. N. Woodell, Mrs. Thomas M. Woodell, Mrs. Ruby Taggart, Mrs. Joe Schuman, Mrs. John H. Seyle, Mrs. W. Martin Sweat, Mrs. M. B. and Marguerite Bailey, Mrs. Fred M. Gorfain, Mrs. Gus Lewis, Mrs. William Lewis, Mrs. Otto L. Hart and George Hoffman. We are especially grateful to the fol loing persons and firms in Fitzgerald, Ga. that contributed to our Christmas fund, this money being raised by one of our most faithful members, William B. Baker: Bradshaw Music Co., Krugers Dept. Store, Lark Martin, Colony Furni¬ ture Co., F. R. Justice & Co., Home Furnishing Co., Hoyle Furniture Co., Bond Grocery Co., G. W. Mann, Jr., Charles R. Harris, Ben Hill Furniture Co., The Fair Store, Hierc Jewelry Co., Ben Hill Auto Parts Co., H. R. Wentz, Dr. J. G Ashley, Fitzgerald Jewelry Co., A. L. Bond, C. C. Persons, David Paulk, Sheriff J. V. Griner, Paul J. Kelly, Lovett Barber Shop, Dr. Will S. Haile, Russell Jewelry Co., Grady Aldridge, and Lois Baker. It has been impossible so far to acknowledge each contribution by let¬ ter due to the fact that this will get to the printers by January 20. there¬ fore the members of the Alumni, through “Bethesda News” wishes to express our appreciation to all members of the club, to all former Bethesda boys, and to our friends for their Christmas contribu¬ tions. It is not the intention of the editor to omit anyone that contributed but due to the heavy amount of detail work involved in the office this is im¬ possible. Should these be anyone that contributed and their name is omitted will you please notify the secretary. Christmas collections the past year were solicited through t he “Bethesda News” and by mail. We did not go to members homes but depended on them to either bring, send or mail their con¬ tributions to the office. Last year we collected $586.04. This year the collec¬ tions dropped to $481.35, this being a decrease of $104.69. We believe that there are many members and others that would have contributed if they were contacted, however, we trust that all of you will contribute this coming Christmas season. It is possible to raise $1,000.00 each Christmas. Anytime during the year that you would like to lay aside something for the Christmas Fund of 1947 so you may do so by send¬ ing your donations to the club office. We gave each boy at Bethesda a dol¬ lar. The balance of this fund is used throughout the year in giving the boys birthday dinners at Johnny Harris, giv¬ ing each spending money while in on their birthdays, and in taking the boys in groups of ten to Savannah Beach dur¬ ing the summer on outings. We just want to let you know how this money is used, the officers of the club considering it wiser to distribute the funds along throughout the year in this manner than to give it all to the boys at one time.