No. 11.-VOL. V.

S. Mary's Convalescent Home, Broadstairs.

UR friends will rejoice to hear that S. Mary's Home is making satisfactory and rapid progress. It is only ten weeks since the foundation-stone was laid, now the third story is reached, and we are in good hope of roofing in during the winterat least part of that half of the Convalescent Home which is 'in hand;' for 'Slow and Sure' is our principle, and we only build according to the balance at our bankers.

We do not conceal the fact that we confidently anticipate beforehand the offerings sent towards this great work, month by month. Some good people, we are aware, hold other opinions, and deem that we should have all the money we require before we build. Surely not. Faith is one of the chief Christian virtues, and we should be wanting in the exercise of this virtue, if we did not believe that our LORD would put it into the hearts of men, to give of their gold and silver to complete this house for His suffering little

ones.

Shall the Church have less confidence than those without her fold? Shall Müller of Bristol build, establish, and maintain an Orphan Home, believing that God is not slack concerning His promise to find for

PRICE 2d.

those who seek, to give to those who ask; and we be less bold to dare for these little ones, signed with their Father's name ?

We trust we do nothing rashly. We did not commence operations till the site was bought and there was 7,000l. at our disposal. Since then our hearts have been cheered with many goodly gifts. Three friends sent us 100l. each, another 200l, others have helped with sums varying from 50% to 6d. Some have had sales of work, or collected for us such amounts as 40l. 3s. 6d.; 18., or 1s. 6d. The clergy, in answer to our appeals, have afforded the most generous and willing help. Many have devoted the offertory at the harvest thanksgiving to our cause, or given of their own private means if the parish was poor, or much weighted with local claims.

Such kind and encouraging support calls. out much thankfulness in the past and in the present. For the future we will trust the good and gracious GOD who thus blesses. the labours of our hands.' We appeal still in fullest confidence of success to those who have money to give, to those who have faith to pray, to those who have time and opportunity to work with us at Kilburn or Broadstairs, or in their own homes and neighbourhoods. Much may be done by outside help -in circulating papers, making our wants known, by collecting-cards, by working parties, by gaining fresh subscribers to our magazines, &c., &c. It is the trifles which form the aggregate. Remember the old Duke of Wel

M

lington's apt remark as he gave a beggar a halfpenny on Waterloo Bridge:-'If every one who crossed this bridge did the same for you each day, you would be one of the richest men in England!'

Our New Wing.

O short a time ago as January 1879, we read in Our Work 'The walls of the new Home are beginning visibly to rise out of the ground.' Not three years have passed. Our children point to the wing now building, and call that the New Home, this the old.

Yes; the Orphanage for 160 children, which was opened June 1880, has not been found nearly large enough for the numbers of destitute little applicants whose sad claims are daily brought before us. So we rejoice that, through the kindness and generosity of friends, we have been enabled to commence a wing for the accommodation of 100 more 'waifs and strays.' Ay, more than commence -the building is fast progressing; the second story is begun; all that is done is paid for, and now we must plead for more money to finish our work.

Perhaps some may ask, 'Why should we give?' Let the little outcasts remain in the workhouses, or in the alleys and slums in which they were born. They are used to it; it is ridiculous to build a Home and institute a staff of workers to attend upon them.'

Let us look a little closer.

We may save these children now from lives of crime and sin, and so this is an argument which ought to affect our practical interestconsidering the vast expenditure entailed by the punishment of our criminal classes.

The words occur to us of a good man who, as he saw a felon on his way to the gallows, exclaimed, 'There goes John Bradford but for the grace of God.'

When we return thanks for creation and preservation,' do we ever make the words living words, by praising GOD that He has placed us amid happy surroundings, and preserved us from haunts of infamy and sin? But for the mercy of GOD, we might be as othersthieves, drunkards, murderers, and such like. Shall we whose souls are lighted

With wisdom from on high

not deem it a duty to deny ourselves some comfort or luxury in order that we may care for the bodies and the souls of those for whom CHRIST died? In this mysterious world we often cannot try to do good to the soul, unless we also try to better the body. Body and soul are united in a close and complex union. Clergy, Missioners, Sisters of Charity, may go to the dens of the very poor, up the narrow dark staircases, and preach to those who lie huddled together, some ten or sixteen in a room, but if they do nothing to help the poor suffering body, their words are indeed as sounding brass and tinkling cymbal.

Children are those to whom good can be most easily done; they can be trained in habits of discipline, brought up to earn their own livelihood; they are the true 'band of hope' of the English nation. We and others who work amongst the young say, 'Give us the children, and, by GoD's help, we will make our country better and happier!'

Again our critic is ready. 'There is some truth in all that you say, but what is one among so many? The 260 children you hope to have at Kilburn, the 100 convalescents you plead for at Broadstairs, and those in like institutions, are but as drops in the ocean.'

Quite true; therefore all the more need to collect drop by drop-to save souls one by one. If each Christian made it his object to save even one soul, what a different world this would be! There is too much tendency to view the poor perishing souls around us as a mass; we despair as we look at the thousands of ignorant and degraded ones who, in all their surroundings, seem like 'the beasts that perish.'

Do not generalise any longer, but go into

the slums of Westminster, or the low courts of Shoreditch, and there see the pale little ones who sit the whole day long in close, sunless dens, making up their tale of matchboxes, or clipping the fur from rabbit skins till their hands are covered with wounds. See the drunkenness, ill-usage, and blasphemy that goes on all around them, and then make a real effort to snatch one such child from its misery, and to have it brought up in a manner becoming the child of GOD and the heir of Heaven.

Do not despise the day of small things. Help one child, and, as you cannot take that child to your own home, help those who have established this true Home, to extend the blessings it has to offer, far and wide.

Let us never forget the dignity of almsgiving-of giving to Him who giveth ALL. How great is His mercy and loving-kindness in permitting us to make presents to Him! Oh, let us take advantage of His goodness while yet there is time!

Contributions gladly received by

Miss HELEN Wetherell,

or, Miss A. M. THOMAS,

27 Kilburn Park Road,

London, N.W.

Our Fournal.

By the SECRETARY. EPTEMBER 11.-To-day we were cheered by receiving 40%. from an 'old subscriber' to Our Work-to be thus divided: Building-fund of Convalescent Home, 20%; ditto, New Wing of Orphanage, Io.; Mission at London Docks, 5; Free Breakfast Fund, 57.

An Offertory reaches us from over the sea and far away; it is from the congregation of St. Luke's Mission, Tomgoo, Burmah, and amounts to 37. We hear that the new Bishop

is most anxious to get really missionaryminded ladies (if Sisters cannot be had) to help him. Both in the Girls' School and the Orphanage there is a grand work to be done. Oh, how loud and urgent is the cry for more labourers in the vineyard, more devoted servants of GOD, to gather in the fruits of the Harvest !

A lady incloses a pair of cuffs, the first bit of handiwork done by her little girl Maude, which the dear child begged might be given to one of the Orphans.

Kind Words.-'I can't tell you the amount of pleasure it gives me to read your magazine, and I sincerely wish you "GOD speed" in all your useful undertakings. I think the Sisters are very much to be envied, in spite of their hard work.'

'I have great pleasure in sending you a cheque for 61. 6s. in aid of your General Fund. My prayers shall be offered daily for at blessing on your work' (from a priest).

'I inclose an order for 27. for your Orphanage Extension Fund. As I cannot do much towards it, I shall follow out your suggestion, and order several copies of Our Work monthly, to send among my acquaintances.'

'We should like to do a great deal for your work. Your card shall be filled and returned in a few days, and you shall have an offertory on Christmas Day. We feel deeply interested in children's work. I have for years been striving to rouse public attention to the subject of infant mortality.'

'I am sure you will be pleased to know that it is greatly owing to this publication that so many ladies in this town are exerting themselves in mission work.'

'I shall be glad to become a member of the C. E. A. The rules are very easy, and I shall be glad to help both by my prayers and in every other way I can. I hope soon to adopt an orphan. I shall be in London shortly, and might then choose one.'

'I shall be glad to become a yearly subscriber of 17. Is. to your Orphanage. It is such an excellent institution, and appeals so strongly to one's sympathies. I was much

touched by the account of little Rosie, and am making her some clothes.'

September 14.-Subscriptions amounting to 177. 6s. received for the Building Fund, besides two subscriptions to the Convalescent Home, two payments for Orphans, and three IOS. contributions to the Free Breakfast Fund.

September 16.-Some very useful presents came to-day-twenty-two yards of print, a piece of blue serge, a parcel of sheets, petticoats, vests, &c. One of the senders remarks: 'I have stuffed in everything I could. Some of the things seem great rubbish, but really you seem to have the power of turning everything to account.'

'May I trouble you to let me have a card for a dear little boy I know, who wants to help the poor children to go to the sea? He says: "I love digging in the sand and bathing so much, that I must help other little boys to do the same."

Several communications came this morning undated, others with the simple address, Brighton, York,' at the head of the letter, yet the writers appeared to expect an answer!

And then another difficulty. It may seem a weak confession for a secretary to make, but really we are often in doubt as to whether a correspondent is a lady or a gentleman, and should feel grateful if strangers would give us a hint as to the title by which they ought to be addressed.

A clergyman, writing to us, observes that he obtained a few shillings by showing the photograph on the collecting-card, because his people were pleased with the little faces that could look so bright, notwithstanding scanty food and ragged garments. He adds: 'The middle class are still somewhat prejudiced against Sisters of Charity. The errors of bygone years cannot be at once eradicated. We must hope, however, that time and the teachings of common sense may induce greater confidence. Meantime, it is wonderful to see how the little leaven is doing its great work, how people are finding out for themselves that Apostolic Order does not mean Romanism.

'Happy are those who, whether in Sister

hoods or otherwise, can look back at the close of life upon years spent in the Master's service, and with a humble hope that they have helped to sow good seed which may hereafter spring up and bear fruit to the glory of GOD!'

Received: some pieces of carpet and drugget (very useful); warm curtains (also much needed); several hampers of fruit and vegetables; some old crockery, an urn, a coffee-pot, two oak tubs for washing up china, a sewing machine, a bath, an American organ, ten parcels of second-hand clothing, an inkstand, and some books and periodicals.

Broadstairs, Sept. 20.-Several parcels of useful clothing received here; also a doll's house, some curtains, a counterpane, a quantity of new and very good clothing; and, not least, hampers of fruit and vegetables sent regularly all through the summer, which help manifestly to diminish our weekly bills. Several visitors called and left donations, varying in amount from 5s. to 57. Grateful letters from the parents of little patients, who have benefited by the Home during the last few weeks, continually come in. Such as: 'Dear Sister,-Please accept my and her father's greatfull thanks for all your kindness to our dear little girl. She has enjoyed very bad helth for this many months past, but now she is that changed for the best, we wouldn't hardly have took her for our own girl. Polly sends her love and respex to all the Sisters and girls, and she often wishes as she were back on the shore. The sores in her head is quite well, thank GOD, and please, Sister, would it be troubling you too much to write back the name of the stuff you put on her head to get it like this, in case it should ever get bad again ?—Your obedient servant, MR. and MRS.

September 21.-Being very anxious to help on the Children's Gift, my brother and I got up a little bazaar by ourselves, and send you the money, which comes to 3%. 75.'

A friend asks us to-day if we, cr anyone we know, can think of something for a poor respectable girl of seventeen, who has been so terribly burnt that her left hand must be

amputated. Her mother is the widow of a labourer, and very poor, and the girl is most anxious to earn her living-but how? We mention the matter in the hope that some of our readers may have a practical suggestion to make.

An old gentleman, meeting the children on the sands at Broadstairs, put many questions to them, and ended by giving the Sister 15. 'for the sake of our dear Church of England.'

The orphans at Broadstairs greatly enjoyed their visit there, and several, whose pale looks rather distressed the Sisters, gained a healthy red and brown colour. Through the kindness of several friends, they were able to enjoy a pic-nic tea together, with some donkey-riding.

'How kind everybody is!' exclaimed one of the children, when, coming out of Broadstairs Church one Sunday in the pouring rain, several persons most kindly came forward to press umbrellas on our little ones, one gentleman going out of his way in order to shelter them. Dear children! may it be long before this innocent faith receives a shock! May they long hold the belief that ' every one is kind!'

'By goods train I am sending you a parcel containing four old frontals, a velvet superfrontal, two texts, and the fringe from some hangings; they have been used in this small village church for nearly twenty years, but still you may find some use for them.' There is no doubt we can!

September 22. 'That little pamphlet. "Little Sufferers by the Seaside" is quite sufficient to make any one that loves CHRIST'S poor long to help. Please send me six more, as I should like to enclose one with each of the cards I am forwarding to my friends.' Such a number of parcels came in! One contained sheets, another an altar-cloth, a third some toys and books, and so on.

September 23.-The result of a general turn-out was sent us, and we would willingly have more of the same sort; also five altarkneelers, a pall, a travelling bath full of toys, and a picture which a little girl had taken down out of her own bedroom.

'Although my time is greatly occupied, I always manage to give half an hour to the reading of your magazine, which some kind friend has forwarded to me the last few months. At our Children's Service yesterday I tried to interest our young people, and the collection amounted to 1l. 13s. 8d., which I gladly forward, with a prayer that our Heavenly Father may prosper your work. Allow me to say that our offertory at the Flower Service every year will in future be sent to you. I hope others will follow my example.'

September 25.-Five pounds came in a registered letter, with the words 'Please apply this to your greatest need ;' 1. 1s. taken out of the savings-box of a little one who has 'gone home,' sent to us with the words 'We feel it could not be better expended.'

'What a delightful spot has been chosen at Broadstairs for the Convalescent Home! I was one of those who took advantage of the special train from Victoria, and a more happy and delightful day I never spent. Such perfect unity, such kindness, and perfect order I have never witnessed. May GOD, who has so blessed you, more and more bless you-easing your anxieties in this world, and giving you a crown of glory in the next!'

September 26.-A 'little girl' says: 'Will you kindly send me a penny card for one of my Sunday scholars? I hope soon to return my own card for The Children's Ward. I think it is very nice for us to build a ward all by ourselves, and I shall do all I can.'

We begin to have hope for our sea-water bath, for one friend writes: The other day, in looking over the September number of Our Work, I noticed that you require fifty ten-guinea subscribers in order to build a bath for your Seaside Home. You may put down my name as one of the fifty.'

Another equally generous benefactor says: 'We have just returned from Broadstairs, and can testify to the happy looks and ways of your children there. I send you a cheque for 10%. 10s.'