If we are often anxious, and occasionally care laden, in the midst of our many works and responsibilities, we also live at times in the atmosphere of pleasant surprises. Such a one awaited us at post time one morning, just as our October number must have reached the hands of our readers. Only an ordinary looking letter amongst the batch which falls to our share daily, but out of it we drew a cheque for 2007.! How acceptable such a sum is to us can only be estimated by those who know what builder's accounts are; and we were actually contemplating a rather heavy bill for the bricks and mortar of our rising Home, at the moment when the welcome gift arrived. The same kind benefactress gave us, only last year, a cheque for 500l. We really ought not to feel anxious, with such constant proofs of the kindly interest which so many people take in our projects-an interest not dependent on the caprices of human affection, but kindled, we doubt not, by GOD Himself in the hearts of His loving servants. With our gratitude for such gifts ought surely to be mingled a sense of increased faith and trust in Him. It is seldom that any suggestion has met with such instant and warm acceptance, as that of the Holy Innocents' Ward in our Seaside Home. From far and near the offerings come in, not large, but oh, so willing, we are sure! The Reaper has carried away so many blossoms from this earth of ours, and the Innocents' names are printed so clearly on many loving hearts, that we cannot wonder to see them repeated on our memorial list. A sovereign comes in memory of a firstborn son who never lived to speak his mother's name, and who has slept (never forgotten for a single day) in a country churchyard for over a quarter of a century. A smaller offering, from another hand, commemorates a baby sister; a Mother sends 57. -her lost darling uppermost in her thoughts; while another writes, 'My husband and I are much pleased with the idea of the ward of the Holy Innocents; we shall hope to send something to it every quarter for one year, in memory of our darling little Mabel, taken from us two months ago. Many sorrowing parents like ourselves will, we feel sure, gladly contribute to such a memorial.' Several correspondents have requested us to prepare a suitable appeal on this subject, promising to circulate it among their friends and to collect for the ward. This is already being prepared in the form of a leaflet, which will, we trust, be ready for our friends by the time this notice reaches them. The leaflet is headed by a pretty engraving from real life. A Sister is preparing several of our youngest children for their night's rest, a little one is on her lap, another in its white night-dress stands before her, while a third sits patiently on the bed waiting its turn for Sister's attention. These living little ones will recall, not unhappily, to many hearts the white-robed darlings they have loved and lost, and now desire to be remembered in this our list of holy innocents. It has been proposed that if these offerings reach a sufficient sum, they should be devoted to the erection of the Chapel in the Convalescent Home. Contributions to be sent to Miss HELEN WETHERELL, or to Miss A. M. THOMAS, 27 Kilburn Park Road, London, N.W. We are happy to say that seven of the 10%. notes required for the Bath at Broadstairs have come in. One of the donors says most generously, 'If the whole amount required for the purpose has not been promised by next February, I shall be glad to send a similar donation about that time.' For another of the ten pounds, we are indebted to a few English families at S. Petersburg, as it was collected by them during the summer months in a small village called Morinno. They had no clergyman there, but met on Sundays for a service, and the weekly offertory was by mutual consent devoted to the 'Bath Fund.' Perhaps this object has not met with quite the same cordial interest as some of our other needs. Many do not understand why a bath should cost 500l., and truly it is a large sum; but we have no misgiving in urging the importance of this feature of our Hospital as being indispensable for the welfare of our small patients. Those who have had 200 children under their care in a state of convalescence will quite see the force of our appeal, for without this accommodation it would be impossible for them to enjoy the inestimable benefit of sea-bathing. We hope that as so many, to whom GOD has given of this world's abundance, have lately returned from their sea-side trips with renewed health and vigour, they will sympathise with our efforts to obtain the privilege of salt-water baths for the poor little sufferers of our large towns, and lend a willing ear to our petition, so that we may have the pleasure of receiving some more of the 10%. cheques for which we so earnestly plead. * 'Many men, many minds,' is a saying we find verified every day. Even in the remarks made by friends, known and unknown, on that venture of ours, The Banner of Faith-although expressions of kind approval have been nearly unanimous, yet here and there dissentient voices have made themselves heard, or opinions have been freely advanced as to different methods of increasing the usefulness and popularity of the magazine. 'A circulation of 70,000 is not bad for the first year, but 200,coo would be better-and your publication is worthy of it'-is kindly added. Now and again some of the 'many minds seem to meet on some point, and to agree in desiring what they deem would be an improvement. And when this is the case, it commends itself to our closer consideration, for gladly would we satisfy all parties if we could. Latterly there has been a cry taken up in several quarters for a Banner of Faith of smaller dimensions. The large size does not adapt itself to a parish wrapper, says one; not portable enough, says another; rather clumsy, echoes a third. On the other side, most people are amply satisfied with the present Banner and would resent any change. That being so, to content all parties, we propose next year to issue the magazine in two sizes—the smaller magazine to be precisely like the other, except in outward form. But will our readers kindly take note that in this new shape The Banner can be supplied for localising alone-and 'insides' only. That is-single numbers, reduced size, will not be offered for sale. We shall be curious to hear with what favour The Banner in its diminished form will be received. A specimen page, small shape, will be sent (on receiving two stamps) by The Editor, 6 Paternoster Row, London, E.C. It is now two or three months back, that we received a convincing proof of the interest which the working-classes, generally, take in our homeless and suffering children. A letter from a bonâ-fide working-man informed us, that he was deputed by several working-men's clubs or societies to say that they intended to collect among themselves for the Building Fund of our Convalescent Home. Our correspondent was a reader of The Banner, and his interest had been aroused by the interesting details given therein relating to our building anxieties at Broadstairs. He called his companions' attention to the needs of the Convalescent Home, and, having enlisted their co-operation, sent to us for collecting-boxes to distribute among them. On Sunday, October 8, after a 'Church. Parade' of the club on Wandsworth Common, a sermon was preached at All Saints' Church by the Rev. John Kyle, and the men then went about the town collecting in aid of our cause. The result of this vigorous effort was that the handsome sum of 16. 10s. was contributed, and the Secretary then wrote to the office to beg that two representatives of the Society would attend at the Club-room of 'The Red Lion' to receive the money. Very simple and pleasant was the welcome acorded to the two associates of the C.E.A. who undertook the errand. Our old friend Mr. Rickhuss introduced them to some twenty Hearts of Oak' and 'Odd Fellows,' &c. The chairman in a hearty speech wished them GOD speed, and declared what pleasure they had all felt in working for those who worked so hard, in their turn, for them and for their children. The money was then handed over-very neatly and beautifully done up in paper-and one of our delegates, although quite unaccustomed to public speaking,' in very truth! returned thanks in a few words which, she fondly hoped, sounded as sincerely grateful as they were meant to be. Few things have given us more pleasure than this spontaneous help, this free offering of sympathy, kind interest, and money, on the part of these our brothers. We shall ever cherish a very happy recollection of this our first (perhaps not our last) meeting with the representatives of the 'Wandsworth Amalgamated Friendly Societies.' The proposal of a Christmas number of Our Work has met with most cordial approval from the public. Many have ordered a dozen or more copies, and welcome, with hearty commendation, the announcement that there should be some illustrations. So we hope to realise their expectations, and to send out a little book that will take its place, far and wide, amongst the pleasant literature of which the glad Yule-tide is so prolific. And if, as we trust, the attractions of our Christmas volume should introduce us to the notice of many new friends, we know that this will open out many new sources of help. Our winter's tale will speak of divers wants that cry loudly for aid. First and foremost there is our Building Account for the Orphanage Wing and the Convalescent Home. The former rises rapidly under our very eyes, and, day after day, greets us with some fresh addition to its walls. But steady progress implies a large staff of workmen, and that large staff brings in a heavy builder's bill week by week. We would fain hope that some of these heavy scores may be wiped off by kind and liberal Christmas benefactors! It is true that the present readers of our magazine do very materially help to ease our burden of expenses; we acknowledge it most gratefully. What, then, might not be done if this forthcoming number were to double and treble in circulation, as it will exceed in interest, its monthly companions! It has been suggested that, as a bearer of the season's greeting, it might well be used instead of a Christmas card, and surely many would prefer to receive such an offering, winged in the spirit and bearing the message of 'good-will towards men,' rather than such postal missives as those into which Christmas cards have so largely deteriorated, till they are no better than grotesque and vulgar, if not heathenish, caricatures. We call upon all present subscribers to aid us in circulating freely and widely this Christmas Visitor. We desire to obtain for it, as the advertisements say, a 'world-wide circulation.' The price is is. per copy, or 9d. if ordered beforehand; while purchasers of more than six copies will be supplied at the rate of 8s. per dozen. Apply to Miss THOMAS, friends better than to appropriate the largest ward in the whole house! Certainly it would be a grand thing for the boys and girls of England to have been instrumental in building so large a portion of this beautiful building. It would be a noble monument of their industry, self-denial, and sympathy with the sufferings of little ones less cared for than themselves. All honour, then, and success to the attempt! We would not damp your ardour, dear young friends, nor dash your hopes to the ground, when we say that the largest ward will cost 13,000l. A large sum truly! Still you have many months before you, and we earnestly wish you every success. Try your very best to fill your own cards, and then persuade your young friends to take some too, and ask them in their turn to gain new helpers. We have been asked whether the contributions are only to be gathered from children. No; this is not necessary, so long as children are the collectors with whom rests the labour and the responsibility of gathering the funds. To them we commit the work, and they are free to use all means open to them for raising the required sum. May they prosper in their pleadings, and win all hearts to answer their appeal! Only six weeks to Christmas! What a vista do these words open out to us! It may be defined best, perhaps, by one word -expectations. Expectations on our part of a harvest of seasonable gifts?-yes! anxious expectations of a supply equal to the demand. And expectations eager, confident, and of long standing on the part of those to whom we hope to dispense all that we receive. The children of the Church Extension Schools have now for many years learnt to hail this season as the brightest in the year. Not a child is forgotten in the grand distribution, which is an unvarying feature of our festive entertainments. Besides the Christmas trees and other amusements, there are the warm petticoats and frocks, the muffatees and scarves, which will keep them warm through the cold winter months. Most grateful shall we be for any number of 'woollies.' (May we add, by the way, a request that all pairs may be just stitched together, for many a nice stocking and cuff is found at the needed moment lacking its fellow, for want of this precaution.) Our children are always delighted with a gay warm scarf (the brighter the better!) or a pair of brilliant scarlet, purple, yellow, or green muffatees. Then the old folks are ambitious to possess a good-sized thick crossover to keep the warmth on their poor, chilly, rheumatic shoulders. Petticoatsflannel or linsey-never come amiss to old and young; and stockings-soft, elastic, and durable, are a treasure to last till Christmas comes again. And, then, not only is there the outer, but the inner man, to be thought of. For this end, we need tea, sugar, cakes, bonbons, crackers, plum puddings-in fact, everything that will help us to make good cheer. Perhaps, in ordering their own Christmas stores, our readers will kindly think of the 170 orphans, the 1,200 school children, the old men and women of Shoreditch and the East-end, the labourers of the London Docks, who will all look to the C.E.A. to help them to enjoy a happy Christmas-tide. Miss Clara Lance, Buckland S. Mary, Chard, begs to announce that she has a very extensive and pretty selection of Christmas cards, and will be very glad to send packets to any one who will undertake to sell them. She hopes that intending purchasers of Christmas cards will largely patronise her stock, for the benefit of the Orphanage of Mercy, to which object all her profits are devoted. The sale of work in aid of the new Wing at the Orphanage of Mercy will take place on December 11, 12, 13, at the Marlborough Rooms, Regent Street. We are, therefore, anxiously looking out for the contributions which this month may bring in, under the various departments of fancy work, useful clothing, pictures, illuminations, china, and all manner of pretty articles, tempting to willing customers. May we then reiterate our request that all our friends will both send in their parcels of goods as early in the month as possible, and also try to induce their acquaintances to make purchases, and come prepared to make a large outlay on Christmas gifts? This will ensure an important and greatly-needed addition to our Building Fund, which at the present time is calling loudly for support. Ladies willing to undertake stalls will they kindly apply to Mrs. Hobson, Woodleigh Cove, Farnboro', Hants. Our readers will have observed that in the last number of Our Work allusion was made to our great need of a Chapel. This allusion was no sooner read by one, who is herself a frequent worshipper in our present temporary room when residing at the Orphanage, than she made the generous offer of 50%., to be given as soon as the Chapel could be commenced. Speaking from her own observation, she says-' Your Chapel is indeed far too small for your numbers as they at present stand; and with your community ever on the increase, and a background of another 'hundred orphans, I consider that the Chapel is one of your most pressing needs. I most earnestly hope that many will be found willing to follow my example, and that the Chapel may be commenced before very long.' It has also happened that a member of the Community has lately had some very valuable diamonds left her, which are to be sold for the benefit of the Chapel Fund. Encouraged by these two offerings, are we wrong in thinking that the time may be near for entering upon this the crowning portion of our Home and Orphanage ? Work, and read the paragraph about the "Mary Ward." Will you excuse my saying that if the necessary contribution is fixed at 5., I am afraid it will prevent very many Maries subscribing to it. In our own very narrow circle of friends, I can count six Maries who could each give a few shillings towards it; but we could not possibly give even 17., nor could we collect for it, and I am sure there are hundreds in the same case. 'I see there is no limit to the offerings for the Holy Innocents' Ward, which will allow many to give a little who cannot do more. And why may it not be the same for the Mary Ward ?' This objection has been raised several times, and therefore we think that the kind friend, who first proposed to give 5. if others would follow her example, will not be averse to modify her scheme so as to include all offerings, however small, which any bearing this name may desire to contribute towards the ward in question. Acting on this assumption we did not hesitate to accept one pound from a 'Mary' who called to see the Orphanage, and who much wished her gift to be devoted to this ward. And we invite all our 'Mary' readers to combine in sending whatever contribution may best suit their means and their inclination, trusting that the number of contributors may rival that of the collectors for The Children's Gift. All contributions and communications should be addressed to the Secretaries of the Society |