EVERYBODY’S FRIEND
November, 1913
Assisting the Work
There are many different ways of getting peo-
ple interested in the saving of homeless chil-
dren, and of giving them opportunities to help
in the cause. The important part is to bring
them in touch with the destitute little ones, so
they can see them with their own eyes, and
their hearts will respond to the mute appeal.
The foster mother of the twin boys had for,
some time been considering this matter, and,
ably assisted by our new secretary, they deci-
ded on the plan of having a meeting in the
Brethren church in Thomas, and give songs,
recitations, essays and talks which were calcu-
lated to draw out the sympathies of the people
for the helpless little ones.
This meeting was set for the last Sunday
night in October, and had been well advertised.
The Manager and wife were present, and had
brought a baby—for a baby is the real thing,
and touches the people more than any song or
any talk that can be given. It was a beautiful
evening, following a cold and stormy day, and
their roomy house was well tilled.
The devotional exercises were conducted by
Bro. Appleman, whose gray hair and venerable
appearanc made it especially sacred. His brief
remarks were forceful, and the touching prayer
one of the most appropriate for the occasion we
have ever heard offered. It showed that the
cause lay near his heart, that he understood its
many needs, and was sure the Lord would bless
the effort of saving the children.
He prayed for the success of the work, asked
a special blessing on there who have the care of
little ones, besought that those entrusted with
this work might receive a great blessing, and
earnestly petioned that God’s children every-
where might more and more feel the responsi-
bility of caring for the forsaken ones, One
could well believe this was not the first time he
had held up the cause of the destitute at the
throne of grace. Such fervent prayers are ef-
fectual in the accomplishing of much good.
The missionries in foreign lands are remem-
beren in many, many prayers—as they ought
to be—but missionaries in the home land, facing
difficulties as great, conditions as discouraging,
are often forgotten. Hearts that are heavily
burdened by the weight of caring for those who
cannot care for themselves, who feel weak and
helpless under their task—are they, too, upheld
in these supplications?
Elsie K. Sanger prssided over this meeting
in modest, unassuming grace (almost too unas-
suming) and held the closest attention down to
the benediction. The songs, recitations and
essays bore on the subject in hand—the needs
of the child, especially the forsaken child. They
had been well drilled in their exercises, and
even the children rendered their pieces force-
fully and well.
The “Orphan Girl,” “Unawares,” and “Dying
Billy, ” were each spoken by a young woman—
one a mere girl — with powerful effect, holding
the crowd in tense, breathless attention. Each
of these poems was in itself so suitable, so well
adapted for the occation, that it fit in perfectly,
and each speaker gave her piece so vividly and
clearly that every word made its proper im-
pression on the hearers’.
Then the baby that had no home was shown,
and a few words were spoken by the Manager
ane Assistant. The baby’s helplessness spoke
with more appealing eloquence than an orator
could have done, and every eye seemed strained
to see its little face as it wass lifted up in its
tender innocence so all could see. It won many
hearts, and the next day was joyfully welcomed
into a family home in town, and is doing tine.
This meeting was a great success every way.
The cash collection was sixteen dollars. Four
•different ones promised to make one monthly
payment on the Home during the year, one of
which was paid at once. This makes almost
sixty dollars. Would it not be well to hold a
similar meeting in other towns, and thus adver-
tise the work more fully, find homes for chil-
dren, and raise money to help bear expenses?