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Our Fournal.

By the SECRETARY. JUNE 27.-A caller at the Orphanage brought two beautifully made patchwork quilts, worked by a bedridden old woman who had been much interested in hearing of our orphans in their bright Home.

'I send you three large parcels, being the produce of another "general turn-out." The supply is so miscellaneous that I must apologise, and had I not known you have a hole for everything, I would not have sent them.' The contents of the box were most useful.

The children's card has come from the printer, headed by a photograph representing the ward which, it is hoped, may be built by the efforts of the boys and girls of England. We should like the offerings for this object to be as universal as possible, so that it may be really a representative gift from the many thousands of little ones in our land. We would, therefore, entreat all young cardholders not to confine their applications to their own acquaintance, but to send round the little collecting messengers to all houses, schools, &c., both rich and poor, where wellwishers are to be found.

June 29.-'The articles I send are from servants at Bournemouth. I have two or three more dresses, but they are not finished, so I will send them later on.' The parcel contained six dresses, two surplices, and other things, which had been made by servants whose interest had been excited in the various works of the C. E. A.

Another letter says: 'Miss E. S— will feel greatly obliged to the Secretary if she will send her six penny collecting-cards, and two for 30s., as she hopes to be able to fill them up, and so help a little towards the noble work which has been undertaken for GOD's loved ones at Broadstairs.'

A gift of 30%. came this morning for the extension of the Orphanage, a 5%. note from a young friend, and 15s. from a children's offertory at S. Peter's, Blackburn.

A touching letter came to-day, begging us to receive into our Convalescent Home a little girl whom the doctors want to be strengthened in order to undergo an operation for cancer on the nose.

Fune 30.-Two orphans arrived to-day. Their history is-like that of most of our little inmates-far from a happy one. Their father was a private in the Guards, who led a very unsatisfactory life, and was addicted to drinking. He sold out several years before his wife's death, and did little or no work, while she toiled hard as a laundress for the support of her little family. At last she died, leaving two boys and two girls, whom the father neglected most shamefully. The little girls were sent to various Homes, the father promising to pay half towards their maintenance. But he failing to do this, they were placed in a Union. An aunt took pity on them for a little while, but soon got tired of her charge, and back they went to the workhouse, after a few weeks, without any notice. The father having died, application was made to us to receive them.

A parcel of very nice 'old clothing' has been received-the 'turn-out after a move.' Also, some handsomely-bound volumes of the Graphic; a very pretty piece of lace e; a handsome pair of Indian silver bracelets, to be sold for the benefit of the Breakfast Fund; and a parcel of petticoats and aprons.

A clergyman at Wakefield sends 1. Is. from a children's offertory on Whit Sunday. He says 'Our children are all of the working class, and what is given is given gladly.'

Two guineas have been sent for 'Baby Noble' —a little girl mentioned in our June number, for whom we were anxious to secure another three weeks at Broadstairs.

Two poor women, E. B. and A. P., in Poole Workhouse, sent their pennies for our poor children's dinners.

A correspondent writes to ask for two 10s. collecting-cards, and papers for distribution descriptive of the Orphanage and Convalescent Home, &c., and also for the rules, &c., of membership.

Another kind friend says that she has

some linen which she will undertake to make into pillow-cases, if we will give her the size. July 1. Would it be any help if I bought two dozen copies of the Banner of Faith, and distributed them among the clergy who are not likely to have seen the magazine ? I shall be very happy to do this if you think it will promote the sale of your valuable magazine.'

To this good offer we must add the following note received by the Editor :-' Dear Sir, I write to compliment you on the able manner in which the Banner of Faith is conducted. It is just the kind of paper for the working classes, and a working-man would read it eagerly-yes, even a working-man who wasn't "religious.'

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Fuly 3.-A four-post bed, spring mattress, bed-furniture, and other things from Wimbledon. I feel very happy,' writes a servant, 'to return you your card full. I only wish it were more, but I have thought myself fortunate to get this, as it is from working people and my fellow-servants. If you will kindly send me another, I will try what I can do.' Here is another equally pleasant expression of sympathy, also from a servant :'I had The Banner of Faith lent me to read, and I thought it such a nice book that I have got all the back numbers. I should like to have a card for pence for the Convalescent Home for Children. I am only a servant, but I will do my best.'

Two dear little girls arrived to-day, out of a family of eight, five of whom were in the Union, the youngest a baby of four months. The poor mother died directly after the birth of this little one, and the father a few months before of inflammation. The eldest is a quaint little girl, almost foreign-looking, her hair cut quite close to her head. She is very dark, and forms a striking contrast to her sister, a little thing of three, with golden hair and fair complexion, very sociable, but not with the demonstrative feelings of her sister, who is ready to make friends and to kiss everybody.

One pound came from Dorking - the Children's Offertory on Ascension Day-for

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our London Children's Free Breakfast Fund.' Also we received a tin bath full of odds and ends.

One hundred and thirty-six articles of clothing for the Orphans from Stoke-byNayland arrived, and a lady sent us a most welcome gift of sixty yards of unbleached sheeting, and about the same of white calico, with remnants of flannel, all ordered direct from Shoolbred, for the benefit of the Orphanage.

Various sums of money received to-day; a five-pound note for the Convalescent Home, offered towards raising the 250/.; smaller sums for the same object to the amount of 15; 30s. from an apprentice, confirmed this year, the fruit of no little labour freely given out of his recreation time; 5s. from a little boy, given him for finding a lady's diamond ring on the seashore, and which he wished to give for the sick children; and 10s. from a Sunday Class of Boys at S. Winwold's, Hastings, for a child's breakfast. A cheese came from Ashbourne.

July 5-At the Docks.-To-day we started green-pea soup, as a change from the winter supply. This gave great satisfaction, in proof of which our cans were emptied by a quarter-past twelve, and many had to go without their dinner. One man was heard to exclaim, 'This makes the second day you've sold out before I could get here.' And another man, standing by, kept shouting out at the top of his voice, All sold except the tins!'

At Paternoster Row.-Received an order for leaflets from a clergyman in Ceylon, and a letter from a native teacher in the same island. An unknown friend writes: 'Dear Sister,—I have just taken down the decorations from our Font, and I thought perhaps the moss, ferns, &c., might be useful to you in some way, and might cheer some sick people, but you will know best. GOD bless you and your work.' One of the Sisters from the Docks happened to be here, so the ferns and daisies, &c., were gladly carried off by them for the sick among whom they visit at Poplar.

A letter ordering more of our 'Old Testa

ment Aids' says :-'I think they are invaluable for Sunday-school teachers.'

A friend writing from Buenos Ayres says 'I enclose a cheque for 67. I hardly like to specify any particular object for which it is to be used, but I would suggest that, small as the sum is, some of it should be devoted to The Banner, as Church literature is so important.'

July 8.-Two sad appeals were sent us today. One was on behalf of the child of a poor woman in one of the London hospitals, whither she had been removed from the workhouse infirmary. The one great trouble of her fast ebbing life is her baby-little Rosie-only a year and eight months old, who is in the workhouse. She is fast becoming a sickly little thing, and the poor mother's heart longs to think of her child as provided with a safe home, instead of growing up within the workhouse walls.

The other petition is for two little girls of six and eight. The father died years ago, and the mother has just followed him—after a most suffering illness from cancer-leaving twelve children dependent on charity.

Received two very nice bundles of clothing, the produce of two working parties at Campsall and Collingham.

A clergyman writes:-'I enclose 1. for your Building Fund. I would it were more, but I have to do everything in this parish myself. I always read Our Work with the greatest interest, and often quote it at Home Mission lectures. It brings me back to my old mission work in the East of London, where I spent seven years, and I often wish I had had such a book as Our Work then. It would have helped me greatly, and prevented many a mistake. I always say a few prayers for your work on receiving a copy of the magazine.'

July 10.-'My little daughter would very much like to have a card with the photo of the ward which the children are to build ; we think it such an excellent plan for engaging the help of children.'

Another fruitful result of a lady's 'turningout' has come to our share, consisting of old

finery (to be sold), dresses, and skirts, a long white llama cloak, socks for boys, little nightgowns, and two academical gowns—one silk and the other stuff-such as were in vogue in the days of 'black-gown preaching.' We hope to make these last up for Church purposes.

Ten shillings has come from the children at Muncaster School, and one of the teachers writes for two more cards; five shillings also from a class of very small children for the Orphanage. This being the first effort these poor children have made to benefit any of their fellow-creatures, the sender requests the Secretary to send a few lines of thanks which could be read to them, to show that their little acts of self-denial are appreciated.

We have had great pleasure in sending out a large number of collecting cards. One correspondent asks for twenty! Another will take six, another four, and so on. A little girl writes:-'I should like this ten shillings I send you to be spent on the ward which is to be called the "Children's Gift." I am only just nine years old, and I have saved up all my money for the last few months, and I am so glad to do something for the sick children.'

Some children in Quebec have sent ten shillings for the Kilburn Children,' as they call our orphans, in whom they take the greatest interest, and put aside their pocketmoney gladly for their benefit.

A clergyman writes :-'My little children will gladly try and collect if you will send me a card or two. I am so pleased with The Banner of Faith and Our Work that I have ordered both from my bookseller, and I shall hope shortly to forward specimen copies to my brother clergy. When in London last week, I visited your City Restaurant and Book Depôt in Paternoster Row, and bought several books, and I hope to give another order before long.

We have received a very interesting letter from the missionary priest at Ramnad, South India; this is what he says of Our Work :'Perhaps it would be interesting to you to know what becomes of Our Work after I have read it. First it goes to a native priest,

who is never tired of preaching sermons about the wonderful manner (to him) in which English people get money, organise missions, and carry on their objects. I ofter hear extracts from the Secretary's Journal, translated into Tamil, read from the pulpit. He is always delighted to get Our Work. Then it goes to another missionary. After that it takes a journey of 800 miles to be read by members of the Guild of the Holy Standard. So you see it does a good work even here. If we were not so wretchedly poor we would send you some money for your orphans, but that is quite impossible. However, you have our earnest, heartfelt prayers.'

The same letter witnesses to the great bodily labour incurred by the missionary, owing to the vast distance he has to travel. 'Mr. W. is 3,000 miles from me, and I could get to England sooner than I could get to his mission. In India distances are considerable, but because they are so considerable and we have to do them somehow, we do not think so much of them as you in England. If you travel thirty-two miles in a train you feel you have been a long way, whilst the other day I rode twenty-three miles at one go, on horseback, and then got into a bullock-cart and did seventy, and then into a train and did 800 miles, and after all thought nothing of it. nothing of them, distances are great and truly awful in this country. You are kind enough to say you wish you knew what kind of Church papers would be welcome. If some kind soul would send me the Church Times week by week I should be more than thankful. Last year I paid for a year's subscription up to March, but this year I cannot afford it, and when it is done I shall miss it considerably, as it seems the only connecting link I have with news at home.' Address Rev. F. Matthews, S. P. G. Mission, Ramnad, South India.

But though we think

July 11-At S. Katharine's Restaurant. A hamper of fresh white pinks arrived to-day, and three sacks of potatoes. There having been a great increase of men on the Wapping Dock by reason of a brandy ship coming in,

some of the extra hands have been rather clamorous in their eagerness to procure the much-required food. But the officials, whose ever-ready kindness and consideration for us deserve our hearty gratitude, no sooner perceived it than they ordered some barrels to be placed in front of our stall, so as to form a sort of gangway for the men. Placing a foreman at each end of the passage, the customers were made to pass through in single file, so that the greatest order prevailed, and every man was served in less than a quarter of an hour.

At Poplar we visited a house to-day where the father was ill and in hospital. His wife is left with four children to do the best she can during his absence. The eldest little girl was working a machine when we entered, but in her anxiety to see if we had brought any food, she looked off her work a moment, the material slipped, and snap went the needle! Oh, child! there's a penny gone!' cried the mother, and immediately the poor child, who is only nine years of age, burst into a flood of tears. A penny is a very precious sum in such a home as that. The next little girl, catching sight of the soup, clung to her mother's skirts, crying and begging her in pitiful tones to give her something to eat she was so hungry! This is by no means a solitary case. Illness and lack of work have brought many a family in Poplar to dire poverty and destitution.

A lady sends 77. 16s. for the Convalescent Home. She enumerates the various quarters from whence this sum has been raised. A ten-shilling card filled by some children, another by a cook, a third by three maids, a fourth by a lady's-maid and housemaid, another partially by a Sunday class of boys and a girl milliner.

'I have taken the hint offered in the June Our Work, and send ten shillings which I have received as a birthday present; please use it for anything which requires most help.'

Received five serge frocks, six black aprons, and a supply of underclothing, from a working-party at Dover; a superfrontal from Leicester, a complete orphan's outfit, and two large boxes containing coats, waist

coats, mantles, caps, &c. Five pounds were sent as a thankoffering for restoration to health, to be reckoned among those collecting towards the 2507.; and five shillings with the words 'for a child's breakfast-will send some more soon'; from 'A wellwisher towards all poor children.'

A correspondent from Surbiton writes: 'I had such a nice letter from the Lady Principal of S. Margaret's Home, Maritzburg. She said she had been looking over some numbers of Our Work, and was delighted to find that she could interest the little black girls in the "Orphanage of Mercy," and they have promised to remember these English orphans every evening in their prayers. Is not this gratifying?'

The following letter is from a clergyman in Sussex :-'Dear Madam,-I am sending you four shillings-churching offerings—as a contribution, in a humble way, towards the expenses of the Convalescent Home in course of erection at Broadstairs. I am exceedingly interested in the perusal of Our Work, which is kindly sent to me every month, and I regret that local and other claims prevent me from manifesting my deep interest in the various good works undertaken, and so successfully carried on by the C.E.A., in a more substantial manner.

'I may add that I introduced The Banner of Faith into my parish, and find it much appreciated. One young mechanic said he wished it was issued weekly instead of monthly, as he was very much taken up with it. Trusting a full share of God's blessing may attend the C.E.A., I remain, &c.'

July 12.-A large parcel of old things has come, and also one from the Shephalbury working party. The workmen have begun. digging the foundation for the new wing of the Orphanage, which will give the greatly needed accommodation for a hundred more children.

'Thank you very much for sending me a card for "The Children's Gift" Ward; my little sister of eight years old has undertaken to fill it, but I should like to have another on my own account.'

The new card referred to has already called forth great interest from children in many quarters, and our juvenile friends show much enthusiasm about it. We have no doubt that their zeal will give them a lifelong interest in the Ward and its little inmates, for whom they have thus generously helped to provide.

A great Benefactor writes: 'I feel as if I had the privilege of a corner in your Orphanage of Mercy, and I should like also to have one in your noble work of providing for the little convalescents who so sadly need your care.'

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A friend says that if we will send her patterns of the articles wanted, her working party shall make them, and she will undertake all expenses of materials. thank you with all my heart,' she adds, 'for opening this door of usefulness to all. It has brought forth fruit in more than one case already. Teaching them that they have something to give, makes people value their own privileges, and higher motives for helping follow.'

A sale of work at Bath has brought us today a draft for sixteen pounds. All thanks to the workers and contributors! Also a collecting-card, ruled for 120 pence, was returned with 120 shillings.

At Paternoster Row.-We have received a delightful sack of vegetables-fresh cabbages, spring onions, lettuces, parsley, herbs, and some late rhubarb, a great help in the Restaurant. Also another basket of flowers from the friend who has never failed to supply us weekly with them, since primrose-time began. A third present we had to-day was a large parcel of maps, school-books, &c.

A number of ladies appeared at dinnertime, after the Girls' Friendly Service at S. Paul's, hoping to get luncheon here. One or two had written beforehand to ask if we could provide for them, but we were obliged to explain that our accommodation would not admit of any such arrangement, for we have no 'ladies' room,' and at the busy hour of noon our limited space is entirely at the service of working-men.'

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