God's Answers Part 7

CHAPTER V.

1872-1874.

Letter from Rev. A. M. W. Christopher--Letter from Gulf of St.

Lawrence-Mrs. Birt's Sheltering Home, Liverpool--Letter to Mrs.

Merry--Letter from Canada--Miss Macpherson's return to England-- Letter of cheer for Dr. Barnardo--Removal to Hackney Home.

Though human praise is not sought, we cannot but feel peculiar pleasure in giving the following testimony from a servant of the Lord so much revered as the Rev, A. M. W. Christopher of Oxford:--

"Of all the works of Christian benevolence which the great love of Christ constrains His servants to carry on, with which I have become personally acquainted, not one, has impressed me more deeply, by its great usefulness, than the work of G.o.d carried on by Miss Macpherson and her fellow-labourers. She has in three years transplanted more than twelve hundred boys and girls from almost hopeless circ.u.mstances of misery and temptation in Great Britain, to healthy, happy, industrious homes in Canada. And this has not been all; daily efforts have been made in faith and love during the period of training, and on the voyage, and in the Distributing Homes in Canada, to win these young hearts for Christ by means of the Gospel. There can be no doubt that G.o.d has blessed these labours of love to bring many to Himself in the Lord Jesus.

"When I was in Canada last September, I made three special journeys expressly to visit Miss Macpherson's three 'Distributing Homes' at Galt, Belleville, and Knowlton, respectively in the west, centre, and east of the Dominion.

"On September 10, 1872, I left Toronto at 5.30 A.M., and travelled 113 miles to the east along the Grand Trunk Railway to Belleville, which is 220 miles west of Montreal. I took the Lady Superintendent, Miss Bilbrough, by surprise. Her sister was with her, having lately brought over a hundred boys. These two young but experienced Christians are evidently full of faith and energy and delight in their work and of lore to the children. About a thousand boys and girls brought out, or sent out by Miss Macpherson, had pa.s.sed through the Home in three years. She has herself placed out 800 boys and girls, 600 of whom are in homes around Belleville. She meets with the kindest reception from the farmers with whom she has placed these children. _She could place out a thousand more if they were at once sent out_, the demand is so great. All the orphan children under nine years of age are adopted by farmers who have no children, to be treated exactly as if they were their own. Miss Bilbrough, and also the Lady Superintendents at Galt and Knowlton, never place a child in a home unless the farmer brings a testimonial from his minister.

"The burning of the Home very much touched the people of Canada, who had learned to appreciate the efforts for good connected with it; and, unasked for, dollars from kind Canadians poured in. Miss Bilbrough had daily to write thanks to many. More than 3000 dollars (600 pounds) were soon sent in, and instead of renting a house, they were able to buy the first-rate one they now occupy, and which was given to Miss Macpherson, with so much kind feeling, by the Canadians.

"I was equally interested in the work of Miss Reavell in the Home at Galt, to the west of Toronto. This had only been established a few months before I visited it. Here also I was greatly impressed by the patient, painstaking Christian lore of those who had charge of the children. The children looked healthy, and happy, and ready for work.

"The last Home I visited was at Knowlton, an eastern towns.h.i.+p of the Quebec Province, south of the St. Lawrence. I heard that Miss Barber, the Lady Superintendent, was nursing some of the children who had the smallpox. I went to see her. It was quite clear that the love of Christ constrained her to devote herself with all her heart and strength to the children committed to her care. I spoke with the uninfected children before I saw her. I was interested to see how accustomed they had been whilst in this Home to be treated with love.

Soon three little ones climbed upon my knees, whilst I talked of Jesus to them and the elder ones. Miss Barber is a lady of good position, the half-sister of the excellent Judge of that district, lately Minister of Agriculture in the Dominion Government. In early life she had very bad health, but has been raised up frond great weakness to work most diligently for Christ among the children who pa.s.s through her Home. Her brother, the Judge, and his wife, who live at Knowlton, zealously do all they can to help the good work.

"Many in England know better than I do the great work for G.o.d, carried on in connection with Miss Macpherson's 'Home of Industry,' Commercial Street, Spitalfields, and the similar Homes at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dublin, and Liverpool. Others may visit these, and have their hearts stirred up to help forward the work by what they see in those Homes; but Canada is a great way off, and, as an independent witness, I desire to bear the strongest testimony to the Christian usefulness of the work, and to the faithful, the wise and careful manner in which it is carried on. A far greater number of children might be thus transplanted with the best results, under G.o.d's blessing, if sufficient means were supplied to Miss Macpherson. May I not hope that the great love of Christ will constrain those who read this paper to send help promptly, so that this work may be extended, and that many more children may be rescued. Remember, dear reader, the love of your Saviour for little children. _'Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which, was also in Christ Jesus'_ (Phil ii. 4, 5). 10 pounds will fit out, and pay the pa.s.sage of a child. How can 10 pounds be better spent? Try, dear reader, and raise 10 pounds among your friends, if you cannot give it yourself. Or do what you can, however little that may seem to you to be. The matter is urgent, the season is pa.s.sing away. Pray send help at once, and strive to interest your friends in the work. How many more might be rescued! What a contrast there is between the photographs of the miserable, hopeless children, taken when they are received at the Homes in this country, and the photographs of the same children after they have been a few months in Canada; I have many such contrasts with me. They would move you to help this work of love. But. the love of Christ must be the great motive; yet we should not forget that the Holy Spirit taught St. Paul to write, _'He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart so let him give: not grudgingly or of necessity, for G.o.d loveth a cheerful giver'_ (2 Cor. ix. 6, 7)."

In May of this year, Miss Macpherson took out another party of young emigrants, and writes as follows:--

_"On board 'Circa.s.sian,' Gulf of St. Lawrence, May 5th, 1873._

"MY DEAR FELLOW-WORKERS,--Hitherto our blessed experience has been that 'The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, and the Lord shall cover him all day long;' 'The eternal G.o.d is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.' Our song is one of unmingled praise, and our little band is strengthened and invigorated by the voyage,--no storm permitted to alarm us by day or night We are now entering the mighty Gulf, and pa.s.sing through fields of ice; but 'He who hath compa.s.sed the waters with bounds, and divided the sea with His power,' maketh a right way for us and our little ones."

"Morning and evening, my dear fellow-workers have been enabled to continue sowing precious seed in these young hearts, so soon to bid us farewell. Our steerage has been the rendezvous, when weather permitted, of those who love praise and prayer. In quietness and rest we have sought to renew our strength by waiting upon the Lord; holding up your hands by prayer, dear fellow-labourers, grasping the precious fulness of the promises, for you as well as for ourselves, that every opportunity given you upon Rag-market, in the courts and sorrowful dens around our Home, in every small room prayer-meeting, or-when you gather around the Word, may have been used, and accompanied by the 'demonstration of the Spirit' and signs following."

"We have to-day realised answers to your prayers for us, whilst cutting through miles of ice, going at the rate of two knots an hour, but all has been peace and safety."

"We are now beyond the vast acres of frozen sea, and every hour brings us into a warmer climate, and nearer to our desired haven.

Those interested in our little band, may rest a.s.sured it has been a happy voyage with each one. Not _one_ case of disobedience has caused us anxiety. Early to sleep and early on deck has given good appet.i.tes, as all their brown and rosy cheeks do testify. At this point of our journey we recall the experience of May 1870, entering a way unpa.s.sed heretofore. Now can we praise with a full heart, and testify that His own 'I wills,' in Isa. xlii. 16, have been realised by us as a little band.

"We are now about to land with our 1520th child, our twelfth voyage, without a storm, thousands of welcomes from warm hearts awaiting us.

Open doors in scores of towns around each of our three missionary centres, ready to receive the evangelists who travel with us. We ask continued prayers that they may be young Stephens, filled with faith and power, and that we maybe guided in the right distribution of the tracts and books we carry with us.

"And oh, dear pleaders, remember the many lonely, little hearts we are finding homes for; it is very sorrowful work unbinding, as it were, the little twinings their sweet, obedient ways have already bound around us. Many were writing letters this morning ready to post when landing, but very many had not a love-link to earth. One little fellow said, 'I ain't got n.o.body to write to but you.' The one most lonely as to earth's relations.h.i.+ps will soon become a solitary one set in a family; and again, if permitted, we shall return and gather in another family from the sad, sad, million-peopled city.--Yours, in the bonds of the Gospel,

"Annie Macpherson.

"P. S.--May 7. We have landed under the brightest suns.h.i.+ne, on a warm, balmy June-like day, feeling deeply thankful for all our heavenly Father's mercies. A deputation of Quebec Christian sisters awaited our touching the sh.o.r.e. What a bond is ours in Christ Jesus!"

Allusion has been made to the Home opened by Mrs. Birt at Liverpool; and the following letter will show the heart-rending nature of the scenes occurring there as in London:--

"August 7.

"Dear Friends,--On the 12th of May last we opened the above Home, and there were present on the occasion more ladies and gentlemen whose hearty sympathy seemed with us, than the large room could comfortably hold. One little dest.i.tute fellow was presented as the first to enter for protection and kindly care. Since then _ninety_ poor tiny creatures have been admitted, and these alike share in the love, attention, and comfort found within the walls of this happy Home.

"Through the great kindness of the friend who placed the premises at our disposal, we have obtained an additional room, which enables us to rescue some little girls, many of whom are orphans, who dragged out a miserable existence by begging for food, and sleeping wherever they could find shelter; others, worse off, were, through their relations.h.i.+p, running every risk of being reared to a life of infamy and ruin. Others are the children of widowed mothers, who say they are willing to work, but finding none of a continuous character, have rapidly sunk to a condition of wretchedness from which it seems impossible they can rise.

"Seventy have rapidly progressed, and are so obedient and anxious to please, that so far as training in this country is concerned, they are in a fit state of preparedness for emigration to Canada; and from the statements received from our sister, Miss Macpherson, of the increased and increasing demand from Canadian families for useful boys and girls, to a.s.sist them in their house and farm duties, we do think that these should be taken without delay to the comfortable homes waiting to receive them,--homes in which they will be trained to habits of industry, usefulness, and saving.

"The boys' clothes are near completion, and the girls' outfits are being made, and greatly helped on by the kind-hearted exertions of Christian ladies in Liverpool and Birkenhead, who have brought to the Sheltering Home their own sewing-machines, and plied them at full speed on our behalf at the weekly sewing-meetings held on Wednesdays, from eleven till five P.M. At these gatherings, much to the gratification of the ladies, the little ones whose garments they were sewing, have sung for their pleasure children's sweet hymns of praise to Him by whose love they were being cared for.

"My heart, and the hearts of my few but loving helpers who live with me in the Home, have been nearly broken this afternoon by witnessing a sight so terrible, that we hope and pray we may never see the like again. A most depraved, drunken, and wicked father, set on by two women more wicked (because more cunning) than himself, dragged out of our Home by main force two dear little girls he had himself, when more sober, besought us many times to take in. They knelt, they prayed, they begged as for dear life to be left in the Home; when, refused by him again and again, they saw he was urged on by the women to drag them out, they gave way to their poor little wills and screamed, 'I won't go with you! I won't go with you! I know where you will take us to! You never cared one bit for us, but now, that we are clean and comfortable, and learning to read, you wish to take me back. If you do, I will get something to take my life away, rather than live with you!' And by the man's sheer force they were carried screaming from the Home; and the last thing we heard, through their shrieks, was the father uttering threats we cannot repeat. I ran to my little room to hide myself and weep; but I heard them screaming still, as the poor girls made one more desperate effort at resistance. Though now it is three hours since, I hear their screaming yet; and, dear friends, I think I shall hear it till I die.

As a little band, we are completely petrified, bruised, and sore, quivering in every nerve, looking up earnestly to G.o.d to know His Will, and praying that we may have all the other dear ones left to train for Him; for the Roman Catholic spirit is bitterness itself against thus teaching the little ones.

"'Jesus loves me, this I know, For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong, They are weak, but He is strong.'

"Dear friends, pray for our little ones. Money is useful, personal help is useful; the thoughtful gifts we receive from time to time are useful; but prayer--which 'moves the hand that moves the world'--is more useful than all beside. Pray for our children; for those we purpose taking to new homes in a distant land, that they may never disgrace the Home they have been sheltered in; and for those who have been torn away from us, that they may be preserved from temptation, and from becoming a curse. Then shall we joyfully take them forth, and in G.o.d's good time return, and again fill up this s.p.a.cious Home, and feel it the greatest privilege of our life to labour among the poor neglected little ones of the streets of these large cities.

Share then in the blessing wrapped up in the King's word, 'Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.'"

How great is the contrast in turning from these heart-rending details, to the following letters from across the Atlantic:--

"BELLEVILLE, _June 7th, 1873_.

"My dear Mrs. Merry,--I wish you had been with us to-day, and seen part of the result of all your patient toil and joyous service for the Lord daring the past five years' work among His little ones.

"Knowing the joy it would be to so many of them to see dear Miss Macpherson, we sent out postal-card invitations to those living within 25 miles. Some few were unable to accept; but between seventy and eighty children, with their employers, came in one by one, looking so brown and healthy. You would hardly recognise in the tall, slim youth, now quite a help to his master, a carpenter by trade, the little, tender-hearted George M--, eldest of three orphan brothers.

It hardly seems three years ago since their father stood up in a gathering of Christians, and with failing breath declared what the Lord had done for his soul. Then you remember how quietly he pa.s.sed away, leaving his three boys entirely in Miss Macpherson's care. All doing so well in Canada--Fred and little Johnnie still in their first homes.

"One great pleasure of the children was to roam over the Home under the orchard blossoms, glancing over the books of photographs and recognising some friend or mate with whom some far different days had been spent. Among the attractions were the tables of toys, pictures, books, &c., sent out by English friends; and here the little ones spent some of their h.o.a.rded cents, thinking so much of anything really English. About twelve o'clock we gathered in the flower garden in front, while sandwiches, buns, and milk were pa.s.sed round among the children. Your sister sat with them chatting to them of old times, and answering many questions as to former companions and still loved though often silent English friends. Can you picture the eager listeners to the familiar voice of one who was to them the link between the sorrowful past and the happy future?--a Bible lesson on the lost sheep. My eyes often filled with tears when I looked at their bright faces, and blessed G.o.d for the open door for them in this country. There stood Jamie D--, who, with his little brother Hughie, formed one of the saddest photographs of childish wretchedness even Glasgow streets could produce; so bright, so well-dressed, though still with a little of the old look of childish care.

William C--, the little fellow of four years old, whose mother died in India, and the father on his return sank in a London hospital, leaving little Willie friendless, was here with a lovely bunch of hot-house flowers ready to present to Miss Macpherson, and to receive from her one of the beautifully ill.u.s.trated sc.r.a.p-books made by little English children. Willie has been nearly three years in his happy home, surrounded by all the influences of education and refinement.

"Now the friends were gathering thickly, and listened while an earnest address was given to the boys by Miss Macpherson. When she ceased, first one and then another gentleman stood up and gave their earnest, hearty sympathy with and approval of the work, and of the character of the boys. And here I must tell you, in pa.s.sing, we attribute much to the loving, tender training of your Hampton Home.

It is not that Canadian farmers would put up with _anything_, or that a bad boy is so useful that his faults are overlooked; for here every single boy is thoroughly known, and discussed over all the country side. Mr. Grover, from the village of Colborne, quite cheered our hearts with the good accounts of the twenty in his neighbourhood, most of whom have joined his cla.s.ses, and by their steady industrious conduct are recommending themselves.

"He said, 'I do not speak without personal experience. W. O--- has been two years in my employ, and a more truthful, upright, honest boy, I would not wish to have; he has left now to learn further about farming, and I immediately applied for another one from Marchmont, and believe W. S--- will prove as successful and honest a servant.'

Then the Rev. William Bell stood up and bore testimony to your favourite Tommy--one of the rescues from Mr. Holland's Shelter, in 1869. 'I have boarded now over a year in the good farmer's home, where Tommy S---lives. He is as good, and truthful, and honest a boy as I would wish to have about a house; and his master so appreciates his services that he gives him fifty dollars for his first year.

These boys are in every way a blessing, and advantage to our country.' Mr. V., who has been already alluded to, said, 'I sought guidance and direction from the Lord before I came to the Home, now nearly three years ago, and then I only intended to take one boy; I have never regretted I took two. Except one or two days, they have never missed school; indeed I do not believe any one could hire them to stay away. I know that their labour morning and evening repays me for any expense I am at, and they can be at school all the time.'

Miss Macpherson then told these two boys, F--- and T---, of her last visit to their grandmother in the tidy attic in Bethnal Green, and how pleased she was to receive the five dollars they had sent her. Mr. Ward, a farmer from Sidney, had brought his little boy, Tommy S---; and Johnnie, the brother, had come from a home across the Bay of Quinte. So there was a touching meeting, and many experiences for the two brothers to relate, during one month's absence. Mr. Ward told how he intended to educate his boy, and trusted he might yet fill some prominent position, for which by natural gifts he seemed well qualified. Speaking of the religious character of the work, he said, 'I asked him who had taught him so much of Jesus? He told me he did not even know who He was till he was taken into the Refuge; but now he knows about Him, and of His love for little children.' I know you will like to hear particulars of H.

W---, whose sad history excited so much sympathy, and for whom the n.o.ble-man's little son gave up his pet pony that he might have the money to emigrate him. Well, you could not tell the round-faced, happy boy, to be the same. He brought four dollars he had earned towards his pa.s.sage money; is in a good home, and doing well. Also of George and Mary F---, who met, after ten months' separation, so changed that they hardly recognised each other. How it would cheer their kind rescuer's heart (Mr. George Holland) could he see them now! but I knew nothing, not even such joy as this, could tempt him away from his special work; so I sent the children, to their great delight, to the town to get their likenesses taken to send him.

"Altogether the day was a most happy one. But no onlooker could fully understand the deep, rich joy of looking into those happy faces. Only those who had watched over and prayed with them from the beginning could at all enter into this peculiar feeling; and many earnest prayers ascended that these loving, tender hearts might be won for the Saviour, and from among them many amba.s.sadors for Jesus might yet go forth. And for you too, dear friend, that you may be strengthened and helped; ever remembering the promise, 'Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days'

(Eccles. xi. i).--Yours, in sweet work for the Lord,

"Ellen A. Bilbrough."

"My very dear Sister,--Could you but see me this morning, started on my peregrinations in these snowy regions, you would be amazed. The poor worn head perfectly well, after a whole week in the quiet, restful Home at Knowlton, where children are being trained, sewing-meetings and Bible-readings held, farmers conversed with, and my privilege has been to hold up the hands of my two companions, who went forth to address Sunday-schools or to preach the gospel.

"Fancy me starting yesterday morning, fixed up in my delightfully warm fur cloak, and many other ingenious devices, to defy the cold, wintry blast, a drive of eighteen miles. During the journey we stopped twice. The first time we met with one of our once poor, pale-faced rescues, Katie D---. What a change, now happy and useful, compared to the time when we sheltered her from the dreaded return of her drunken father from prison!

"As the night closed in, the cold caused us to hasten to our journey's end as quickly as the strength of our Home horse would admit of. But cheery was it to be told by our friend, as we pa.s.sed one farmhouse after another, 'We have a boy here and a girl there doing well.' Sometimes it would be, 'We have had to move a boy; his temper did not suit; but since he has been back to the Home, and placed out again with a firmer master, he is doing much better.' A very hearty Canadian welcome awaited us. Ushered into a warm room, our wraps taken off, soon we were seated, enjoying a 'high' tea. It snowed all night, and drifted in at every crevice of our bedroom window.