1870-1871.
Workers' meetings at home of industry--Training home at Hampton
opened--Personal experiences--Welcome in Western Canada--Help for a
Glasgow home--Scottish ferryman--"Out of the mouths of babes and
sucklings."
Before the close of the year Miss Macpherson had returned from
Canada, and at the usual monthly meeting for workers was again
enabled to tell of the goodness and mercy that had followed her.
One of the great needs of the East End which has already been
mentioned, was that of some central spot where Christian workers
might meet for prayer and counsel. This need was abundantly met at
the Home of Industry, open at all times, with a welcome and words of
cheer ready for the servants of the Lord from every part of the
world. The workers' meetings, once a month, have given opportunities
for hearing tidings of the spread of the gospel in the "regions
beyond." Those who had hitherto been standing idle have been aroused,
and many who have long borne the burden and heat of the day have been
refreshed. It would be difficult to reckon the number of those who
have in the Home of Industry first heard the summons from the Lord to
"go forth," as "messengers of the glory of Christ," and are now
toiling in distant lands.
The difficulty of keeping a number of active restless spirits within
the hounds of a house in the position of the Home of Industry,
without one inch of yard or playground, and in the midst of streets
in which it was unsafe for one of these boys to be seen, can hardly
be imagined. It was a subject of the greatest astonishment to a
descendant of Immanuel Wichern's that in such circumstances Miss
Macpherson was enabled to keep them under control. It was, however,
most desirable to find some place where their active energies could
be employed in some sort of training for the Canadian out-door life.
Miss Macpherson thus refers to her thankfulness that such a spot was
found:--
"Those who share with us the burdens of this work will rejoice to
hear that we have now a Home in the country, where we can cultivate a
few acres, and where the children can become efficiently trained for
Canada under the superintendence of Mr. and Mrs. Merry. It is
situated near the village of Hampton and is now being furnished. This
will enable me to rescue another hundred from street-life at once.
What a boon from the Lord Whom we serve!"
It proved to be just what was needed, as is shown by the testimony
of another friend:--
"The Training Home at Hampton bids fair to be a most valuable
addition to Miss Macpherson's scheme for rescuing these dear children
if only for their health's sake; the pure air, the early hours for
rising, the outdoor and spade exercise, the plentiful supply of real
milk, are all good; and the absence of all noise and excitement gives
a much fairer chance of seeing what the boys really are, and the
probability of their taking to Canadian life."
The next party was arranged to leave for Canada by the "Prussian" on
the 4th of May, and on this occasion one who had the privilege of
accompanying them thus wrote:--"I feel it as impossible to convey to
friends in England a true idea of the kind welcome accorded to our
poor little ones, as it is to give to dear Canadian friends any
adequate idea of the crowded misery of our own dens and alleys.
"It has scarcely been credited by some that so many hundreds of
little travellers could have crossed the Atlantic in many successive
voyages and not have experienced one storm. How we realised the power
of Him 'who stilleth the noise of the sea, the noise of their waves,
and the tumult of the people!' for on this voyage, as on every other,
it has been remarkable that no discord has arisen among her many
young charges. The work begun on land was carried on at sea, and many
young hearts were blessed of the Lord ere they left the ship. It was
pleasant to hear many testimonies in their favour among the
passengers and crew; pleasant also to hear testimonies of
thankfulness for Miss Macpherson's presence in the ship; for she
laboured unceasingly among the crew and steerage passengers as well
as with her own special charges.
"Kind letters of welcome were received off Quebec. For a few hours
we were detained at Point Levi, waiting for the emigrants' train, and
watching with delight the sun descending and streaming with splendour
on the cliffs and magnificent river; some of the heights bare, others
clothed with firs, all picturesque and grand. The evening star shone
before us as we were carried westward; one of the little orphan girls
said it looked as if watching over us to help us; and in the morning
we reached Montreal Junction, where one of the warm Canadian friends
who have welcomed Miss Macpherson so cordially entered the cars, and
spoke very encouraging words to the young travellers, telling them
how he had himself been as dependent on his own exertions as any of
them could be, and how by perseverance in the situation he had first
entered, he had risen from the humblest post to the highest, and had
long been in a position to help others. This friend is the
superintendent of a large Sunday-school, and his scholars have
undertaken the support of an English child.
"A lovely cloudless day was just dawning as we arrived at
Belleville, and we were greeted at the station by the kind voice of
Mr. Henderson, one of the evangelists, for whose labours in Canada we
have had so much reason to praise the Lord. The sun had not risen
when we were first taken across the blue rushing river Moira,
carrying with it the floating logs, felled far away, and borne by its
rapid current to the Bay of Quinte, the beautiful shores of which we
caught sight of just 'as the crimson streak in the east was growing
into the great sun.'
"But we were now at Marchmont; and lovely as it was in the fresh
green of spring, (the maples, not yet in full leaf permitting a
glimpse of the bay,) yet all other feelings were lost in the joy of
being welcomed by dear Miss Bilbrough, who had been watching for us
all through the night. Miss Macpherson was allowed but few hours to
rest before the throng of visitors came to welcome her, and to take
away the newly arrived little ones. Among the first was a lady, the
mother of eight girls, who had lost her only son, and who carried
away, with tears of joy, a boy brought from Southampton workhouse.
There were farmers from many miles round, bringing their
recommendations from ministers or other well-known friends; there
were children who had been brought out the previous year, some
earning good wages, and bringing their savings to Miss Macpherson,
too full of joy to say much, but clinging round the one whom the Lord
had blessed in rescuing so many from want and misery. Among these
were three former little matchbox-makers, who had known more sorrow
and care during their early years than is sometimes crowded into a
lifetime. Tears on both sides were sometimes the only greeting given.
Pages might be filled with records of one day at Marchmont, records
of the Lord's goodness to the fatherless and motherless, and those
rescued from a worse fate still; whose parents would have dragged
them down into the haunts of drunkenness and sin, from which, in
later years, it would have been so much harder to reclaim them. Oh,
that many more in our own land could witness with their own eyes the
boundless openings for work, and provision made for our poor children
in the broad lands the Lord has so mercifully spread before us!
"The first experience I had of the home of a Canadian farmer was in
the neighbourhood of Stirling. Our drive was partly along the banks
of the river Moira, which, perhaps, from being the first with which I
was made acquainted, has always appeared to me one of the loveliest
in 'this land of broad rivers and streams.' After leaving the river,
our road passed through woods, in which we saw wild flowers of larger
size and brighter colours than our own, though fewer in number; and
from a rising ground we saw Stirling beneath us, and a few miles
beyond reached the dwelling of one who had come out with no other
riches than the strength of his own hands. His house was humble in
outward appearance, but contained every comfort, and was surrounded
by orchard and garden, and many acres of cultivated land. Huge barns
to hold the abundant produce are always the most conspicuous feature
in every Canadian farm. Cattle, sheep, and poultry were all around,
and all his own, and in his own power to leave to the sons growing up
around him. In this family the sons were all following the father's
occupation.
"In most families that I have seen, as a good education is within
the reach of all, some of the sons have preferred following the study
of law or medicine; the farmers have therefore the more need of
helpers, and welcome the more eagerly the young hands brought out.
Though we were quite unexpected, all but one of our party being
perfect strangers, we were pressed with the usual Canadian
hospitality to remain the night; and while our horse rested, our kind
host took out his own team and drove Mr. Thom to visit children
settled in the neighbouring farms.
"My next experience was that of a farm beyond Trenton, where one of
the boys was engaged. Our drive was along the bay, and the opposite
shores of Prince Edward's county often reminded me of the Isle of
Wight as seen from the Hampshire coast. Our road first passed the
Deaf and Dumb Asylum, a grand and spacious building, a mile out of
Belleville, and then was bordered by orchards and rich cornfields,
scattered cottages and farmhouses, with lilac bushes clustering round
the doors and verandahs. Outside every farmhouse may be seen by the
roadside a wooden stand, on which are placed the ample cans of milk
waiting for the waggon to carry them to the cheese factories. No
fear, it appears, is here entertained either of milk being stolen or
of fruit being missed from the abundant spoils on either side the
road.
"At Trenton, beautifully situated near the head of the bay, a boy
rushed out at the welcome sight of his friend, and farther on more
greetings of love and gratitude awaited her. The farm we this day
visited was one of more importance than the last. Four hundred acres
of ground surrounded a well-built house, two stories high, and
covering much ground. In such a dwelling a handsome piano is seldom
missing, and here stood one in the inner drawing-room. Luxuries that
could be purchased for money were not wanting, but labourers were not
so easily procured, and the contrast between the interior of the
house and the rough approach to it was most remarkable.
"So much must necessarily be done with so few hands, that time for a
flower-garden, or even the making of a neat footpath, cannot be
found. The mistress of the house looked sadly worn and wearied from
want of help in her indoor labours.
"Within easy reach of this house stood a much smaller one, built by
the owner of the farm for himself and his wife to retire to whenever
their eldest son should choose a bride and undertake the farm. This I
have seen elsewhere in Canada and have also known the heir of the
property to go out for the day helping at another farm, where no
labourer could be found in the neighbourhood. No contrast could be
greater to one coming from the sight of the constant distress in the
crowded East of London,--distress arising from want of work, food,
light, air, and room to live and breathe in, and the comfort here
beheld and experienced through the abundance of all; the pure fresh
air, the sight of 'God's blessings growing out of our mother earth,'
the ground ready to bestow so rich a return for all the labour
bestowed on it, and the only want that of the human hands--the hands
that, in our own land, are to be had so easily, that human beings are
expected to work like machines, and human frames are used as though
made of brass or iron."
Miss Macpherson was not permitted to remain many days quietly at
Belleville. The call came for her to go farther into Western Canada,
and this eventually resulted in the establishing of the Home at Galt.
The journey is thus described in her own words:--
"Believing that our gift was to pioneer, we left our dear friends
embosomed at Marchmont among the bursting maple trees in loveliest
spring-time. At early dawn on May 23rd we started, with a party of
twenty of our boys of different ages, for Woodstock and Embro, a
district of country where thousands of Scotch families have settled,
and where there has been a wave of blessing from the Lord, through
the faithful preaching of evangelists in the past year. Therefore we
longed to 'spy' the land, not so much to gain an increase of dollars
or more cultivated land for our boys, but our object was to find
hearts that had been awakened to newness of life; and we trusted that
with such our children would be nourished by the sincere milk of the
Word, and grow thereby into godly men and faithful witnesses of the
Lord Jesus."
"At the close of a long and hot day's travel, we reached Woodstock;
and though a single telegram had been the only announcement of our
expected arrival, warm hearts greeted us. Next day the boys were
gazed at, admired, wished for, questioned, and _feted_, until we
began to fear lest they should be spoiled by seeing the great demand
for them, and the eagerness with which they were sought after, being
considered, as they term them, 'smart boys.' With ourselves it was a
day of much prayer for the needed wisdom. And in the afternoon,
(being the Queen's birthday, and kept by loyal Canadians as a
complete holiday), the dear boys went off with us through shady
groves for a walk. We went into a cemetery, and read together from
our penny Gospels the 9th of St. John. But here we were found out,
and invited to one of the loveliest country-seats we had ever seen.
It had been an old Indian settlement, and from its groves we had a
view of the distant woodlands clothed in richest foliage. On a
beautiful lawn, the old Scotchman, with tearful tenderness, fed our
dear boys with unaccustomed dainties, and jugs full of new milk."
"In the evening a Scotchman arrived from a still more western
district, Arkona, deputed by his neighbours to come for seven more
boys. We could, however, only spare him five. The boy he took from us
last year had behaved so well, that the demand had increased. Then
came those painful leave-takings; and to see great boys of sixteen
and seventeen sobbing, was no easy work for my clinging heart; but He
who scattered His disciples, and went Himself by lonely pathways,
knew our need, even at this time."
"Next day we went farther inland, nine miles beyond the railroad, to
Embro. There we found 'democrats,' each with a pair of horses, for the
boys and luggage, in which they went off in high glee, under the care
of a good man of my own name; and for myself and friend, a Highlander
long frae the hills of our native land, had sent a carriage and pair
of splendid spirited horses."
"Our party of boys had by this time considerably decreased; and had
they been hundreds instead of ones, of similarly trained boys, there
would have been no difficulty in distributing them into good homes."
"Canada is just now in a most prosperous state. Farmers' sons do not
remain at home, but either, enter professions or stores, or go
farther West to colonise. Hence the need of further help, which is
met by our boys, who take their place, beginning with the A B C of
farm-work, or, as Canadians express it, 'choring round.'
"This new district was very pleasing to a Scotch eye--hill and
dale, rich woods, substantial farmhouses, richly cultivated orchards,
beautiful with blossom; picturesque views of gushing rivers in wild
gorges, with grand old monarchs of the forest telling the tales of
years gone by, ere the emigrant's axe had laid their companions low."
"We reached a lovely village, and were warmly welcomed by 'Macs' of
every name, reminding one of childhood's summers spent in the
Highlands of old Scotia. Here we were at home; the sweet assurance of
a Saviour's love shone in the faces that now surrounded us; we were
on the trail of an evangelist, and Jesus 'lifted-up' had been beheld,
making faces beam with thankfulness to Him who had given Himself for
them."
"The kind McAuley, who had opened his house and heart in expectation
of the whole twenty boys from London, had himself been overwhelmed
with love-offerings in the shape of food the good neighbours had sent
in, vying with each other in showing kindness to the orphan and the
stranger.
"Ah! what a power and privilege is granted to us women, in that we
are permitted to arise and second the work of the evangelist by
showing our faith by our works, and giving to the Christians in this
land of plenty and _no_ poverty objects upon which to work out
their love! Words fail to depict the extreme tenderness and delicate
attention shown to us, for Jesus' sake, during the forty-eight hours
we spent in the midst of this kindred people.
"In the evening the old Scotch kirk was filled to the door, and
after the singing of some sweet hymns and several heart-breathings of
prayer, we spoke of the dealings of the Lord in this mission among
the children of our million-peopled city. Whilst doing this, it was
difficult to realise that we were not at home, among the dear
brothers and sisters who are wont to meet with us for prayer at the
Home of Industry.
"The thank-offering to the Lord at the close was spontaneous, also
the supply of food sent in by the farmers, and which was sufficient
for a hundred children. It seemed almost more than my poor heart
could bear when I called to mind the starving multitudes gathered in,
and ravenously devouring the morsel of bread dealt out to them in
London. It made me long that the Christian women of our land would
rise up in some great national movement, and help many thousands of
our oppressed families to come out to this land of plenty, where
millions of acres are crying for labour. It is no romance nor ideal
of a heated brain, but a plain, practical way of showing our
Christianity, this bearing the burdens of many a sinking, crushed-down
family.
"The much-dreaded Canadian winter is really the most enjoyable
period of the whole year, and when it is over one hears of nothing
but sorrow that 'winter's noo awa.'"
Miss Macpherson had intended returning to England in October, but
was delayed for a time by many calls for service. From Montreal she
writes:--
"Strike another note of praise for the answer to the many prayers of
our Glasgow fellow-labourers. A friend in Scotland has been stirred up
to give 2000 pounds in order to build an Emigration Refuge in that
city, that homeless lads may be trained for Canada. Let us unite in
asking that ere long similar Homes may be opened in Edinburgh and
Liverpool, where poor and oppressed orphans abound. Before returning
to you, we trust that corresponding Homes on this side will be in
course of preparation, one in the East and another in the West, so
that when the 150 young emigrants arrive at Quebec, fifty can proceed
at once to each Home for distribution.
"We leave Marchmont accompanied in our mission carriage by two boys;
and these two have histories which contain a lesson for all boys.
Their antecedents in England were much the same--orphanage, want of
caretakers, misery. One is still self-willed, having no mercy on
himself, a runaway from the home in which we had placed him, and was
brought to us a second time by the police as homeless. We are now
taking him back to his master to hear all about the grievances, and
find out that they arose from his determination not to go to school.
A boy that does not value the opportunities afforded him, but prefers
growing up in ignorance, must suffer for it sooner or later. May all
boys who read this determine to apply themselves to every lesson
heartily; each difficulty overcome will render it more easy to master
the next.
"The other boy was one of the first hundred; he arrived by train
from Toronto at midnight, and rang us up, expecting admittance, for
he felt that he was coming home to see his friends, his master having
given him a holiday. This boy, though utterly alone in the world,
snatched by us from a life in London stables, stands there, at
fourteen, a self-reliant little man, with his purpose in life
clearly defined. He is not many minutes in the house before he
discloses the joy it is to come home, and tells us how he has as good
a suit of Sunday-clothes to put on as any gentleman.
"Next morning he sits during Bible-lesson in the schoolroom side by
side with the ne'er-do-weel. Both are received for Jesus' sake, the
one in his poverty and self-will, the other in his good suit and
self-complacency, but both still wanting the 'one thing needful' to
fit them for the home and mansions on high. Whilst endeavouring to
explain how Jesus had loved them, and wrought out a righteousness for
them, and was as willing to receive them as we had been, and that He
had a large and loving heart, and cared for the many hundreds still
wandering about in the great city, tears filled the eyes of the
little group. Just picture what we felt as J--- P---, in the most
humble and childlike way, put his hand in his pocket and drew out
twenty-five dollars, saying, 'Miss, that will bring another.'
"My words ceased, and a choking feeling came into my throat as the
lesson was being learnt by half-a-dozen of self-willed returned boys.
Much we longed that all our children could have witnessed this scene.
Very few of them, except the selfish and depraved, would like to be
behind J--- P--- in having the privilege of giving us so much
encouragement in this work.
"The first year J--- P--- received no wagers, only his food and
clothes; now, his services having become valuable, he gets six
dollars a month. He has purchased for himself a silver watch, a good
overcoat, and has also returned most honourably his passage-money,
therefore he has received his neatly framed and beautifully
illuminated discharge, to hang up, showing he is now no longer a poor
emigrant.
"J--- holds that the habit of saving the cents is the secret of
success, and he intends plodding on until he can purchase a farm of
his own, and we think it will not be very long before he does so, if
his life is spared. Thus he accompanies us as a son, and as such is
received and lodged in the various homes we visit.
"It was most amusing to hear him tell the runaway sitting by him in
the carriage how to get on and advise him not to give way to his own
will and his own temper.
"By boys this advice is more easily given than taken, as was proved
in this case. We left the boy on his promising that he would be
obedient and go to school. But the subtle enemy, ere the day was out,
gave this boy of fourteen years old the idea of being his own master,
rather than live out that wondrous word of four letters, _obey_.
Again he escaped from a good home, and after wandering many miles,
knocked late at night at a ferryman's, and asked for food. Here
Robert Jack, a kind Scotchman, recognised the English corduroy, and
at once met him with, 'You are one of Miss Macpherson's' boys.' He
was fed and lodged, and strange to say, next day we were led, in the
course of our journey, to cross that very ferry. The young runaway
seeing us from the window exclaimed, 'Oh! here comes Mr. Thorn,' and
would have hidden away from our sight, knowing he was doing wrong,
for he would not understand that we were his friends, willing to help
and love him. Oh, may all boys who read this seek earnestly to
believe that Jesus is their very best Friend, and He only can remove
their self-will and blindness of heart!
"In crossing the ferry early in the summer, we had spoken faithfully
to this ferryman, and had sent him the 'Life of Robert Annan' by
post. They had been schoolfellows together, and after reading the
book, he got many others to read it also. This small sixpenny gift,
accompanied by prayer, had done a work. Robert was willing to become
a co-worker with us, and is now trying to train to honest industry
our little self-willed runaway. Thus we hope that in the log-hut of
the Scottish ferryman he may learn to read and write, and that the
blessed Spirit will work on the hearts of both master and boy.
"The experience of yearning over this orphan boy moved our hearts to
speak of Jesus, who bore with such long-suffering love our own
rebelliousness ere we came to Him."
The story has been told before of the first poor girl rescued in the
East of London through Miss Macpherson's blessed agency, one whose
father had died suddenly of cholera, whose mother had thrown herself
into a canal, and, though rescued, had been, through drink, a source
of misery to her children. The eldest brother [Footnote: This boy,
now a shoemaker, has written asking to be allowed to have one of the
lads, as an apprentice.] of this poor girl, about sixteen years of
age, had been brought out the previous year to Canada, and appearing
one day at Marchmont, I thought from his looks and dress that he was
one of the farmers' sons come to engage a boy, little thinking that
so short a time had passed since he was destitute as the poorest
among them.
In England we are so accustomed to the sorrowful sight of neglected
children, it can hardly be imagined by us how such a fact strikes a
Canadian. Often have I seen the tears in the eyes of the farmers at
the sight of little ones brought so far to seek a home at such an
early age. This was especially the case with regard to little Annie
referred to in the following lines, the youngest of three sisters
left motherless in a workhouse. When I last saw this little sufferer
health and strength had been given to her, and she was the pet of all
in a home of comfort.
"OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES AND SUCKLINGS."
"From the mouths of babes and sucklings,"
Was the Psalmist's grateful word,
"Thou hast perfected Thy praises,"
And I thank Thee, gracious Lord.
And e'en yet from infant voices
Words of wondrous meaning fall,
And the Christian's heart rejoices,
For he knows his Father's call.
Little Annie sat beside me,
Smiles upon her baby face;
Early sorrow, early suffering,
On her cheek had left their trace.
Little feet, too weak to wander
Where the merry children play;
'Neath the flickering aspen shadows,
By broad Quinte's sunny bay.
Thoughts of pitying love came thronging
As I thought how Jesus came;
How He blessed the little children,
How He healed the sick and lame.
So I asked the little maiden,
"Annie, Jesus cares for you--
If we saw Him now beside us,
Can you think what He would do?"
Strangely solemn, seemed the answer,
(Listen, sisters o'er the sea);
"Jesus, just to you would give me,
And would bid you care for me."
English sisters, rich and gifted!
Ask your hearts, Can this be true?
Christ hath many a homeless orphan,
Is He saying this to you?
"Take this child and nurse it for Me?"
Will you dare to say Him nay?
Dare to let His children perish,
Or in evil paths to stray?
If too stately are your dwellings,
Send them hither, let them come;
In our fair Canadian homesteads,
Gladly we will make them room.
Room where orchard boughs are dropping
Fruit that waits their hands to pull;
Room to rest, and room to labour,
Room in home, in church, in school.
When the winter snow lies sparkling,
They shall share our winter joys,
Tinkling bells and merry sleigh-ride,
With our laughing girls and boys.
When our maple pours its nectar,
They shall share the luscious treat;
Where the woodland strawb'ries cluster,
Glad shall stray their little feet.
When our Sabbath-scholars gather,
They shall join the joyous throng;
Sweet will sound their English voices,
'Mid the burst of children's song.
Sisters, shall we share the blessing?
Bring the lambs to Jesu's fold?
_Ours_ are homes of peace and plenty,
To _your_ hands He gives the gold.
S. R. GELDARD.