November, i‘.»i3
E V EK Y BO D Y ’ S ER IEN1J
reading this paper might do them, than some
others they do read. They possibly spend
many fifty-cent pieces (the price of the Friend)
for things they could easily do without, little
thinking how much good that amount might do
some homeless child.
More Child Rescue talks would be good, and
1 sometimes think if they were given by people
who have taken one or more of these little dar-
lings into their homes, it might come nearer
touching the heart than from any one else.
Another way is to have the children where
the people can see them. I am confident that
the only reason we have placed any children at
Yale or Panora (with one exception) or here at
Beaver, was because Bro. Erb and ourselves
had the children in our homes, took them to
church and other places where people could see
them. I think the applications would be few
if they were sent only by people who never came
in contact with homeless little ones or their
foster parents.
Some will say: “I would take a child, but I’m
afraid they might not turn out good,” or “I
don’t believe I could love some one else’s child,”
or “1 don’t like giving references and signing
up those papers.” I don’t see why we should
feel that way about it, for if we are worthy we
need not care to ask a friend to recommend us.
It is the only way we have of knowing who is
worthy, especially if they are strangers.
I think these papers have saved us from plac
ing at least three children in undeserving homes.
About the turning out good, well, there is a risk
to run, but don’t we often take risks on other
things? Buy farms, cattle, etc. and don’t know
whether we will make or lose? Now if this child
has the proper care and environment, it will
likely turn out good, but if not, you have done
your duty. And I know by experience that we
can love some one else’s child. Fourteen out of
the fourteen with whom we have had to do have
been lovable children, and all that were old
enough seemed pleased to have some one to love
them. If this was not so why should Bro. Bru-
bakers of Covina, California, have given shelter
to four homeless ones? Or Mr. Page with whom
we placed a baby girl, who had previously taken
a boy, and have since taken an older girl? In a
recent letter she says, “You don’t know what
happiness you brought into ou r homo when you
brought the baby ”
A Receiving Home would be a good thing I
think, where the children could be cared for
until homes could be found. But our work is
in its infancy, and possibly we have not come to
that point yet.
We have been wondering if we could not get
at least a couple of families in each congregation
to temporarily care for a child. In that way
more children could be procured, and more peo-
ple get to see them, too, and possibly more be
placed.
Now our report for the year is not nearly
what we would like it to be, and we are willing
to take our share of the blame—but I just won-
der how many of us realize the importance of
the work —what it means to gather up these
poor, neglected little ones, and place them in
good Christian homes where they may be
brought up for Christ?
Although we are not as much concerned as
we should be, I trust the Middle District of
Iowa is far in advance of the State (as given by
News Papers) in regard to the interest taken in
’ these little ones.
Dogs, Hogs and Babies
Proclaim it through all Iowa
To wake a blush of shame,
But tell it not beyond
To tarnish her good name.
The State Fair offers premiums,
One thousand on the dogs,-
And spend four thousand over
As premiums on the bogs;
But BABIES, God’s own image.
The greatest work he made,
To them live hundred only
The Managers have paid.
May the Lord abundantly bless the Child
Rescue work in the future, is my prayer.
General Committee
On Child Rescue Work
♦♦ ♦ ♦♦♦
Frank Fisher, Pres., Mexico, Indiana.
S. B. Miller, Treas., Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
P. S. Thomas, See’y.,'Harrisonburg, Virginia.