The Emmanuel Children's Home
By Mrs. A. C. Ames.
My article in a recent number of the REVIEW having brought me many letters telling of little orphans in need of homes, I would like to say a few words to the brethren and sisters in general, as I have not the time to write so many personal letters. The Emmanuel Children's Home can not take and keep all the little orphans brought to its notice. Among all the applications that have been made for children from the Home, there has never, to my knowledge, been a single one from among our own people; but there have been a number of applications for the admission of Adventist children to the Home. This does not look right to me. It seems to me that if the hearts of the professed children of God were burdened for the salvation of souls as they should be, there would be a gathering in of these little orphans, and they would be brought up in the truth, instead of in later years having to be converted to it by our ministers. There are few consecrated women among our people who could not take an active part in this work if they would. To be sure, it is not all pleasant work, but—“the servant is not greater than his lord.” When our Saviour was on earth, he did not look for the pleasantest work he could find, neither did he settle down in a nice home, and keep the world's poor outside his door. No, indeed! He went out among the lowest of humanity, and I do not suppose, when some care-worn, tired mother brought her little children to him, he drew back with a look of disgust. No, he took them, and when they were hungry, he fed them, instead of asking some one else to do it. Now, brethren and sisters, do you think our hearts are in the condition God wants them to be when we close our doors to the little homeless outcasts? “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Do you want to shut the Saviour out? If not, do not shut out his little ones; for he is a friend to the friendless, and will never leave nor forsake them in their helplessness. The time is soon coming when we shall be called to give an account of our doings. Let it not be said to us, “Thou art weighed in the balance, and art found wanting,” because we failed to20bestir ourselves and do the work the Master left for us when he took his journey into a far country; for he will return, and will reward us according to our works. It is not the design of the Emmanuel Children's Home to in any way take the place of the Haskell Home, or to conflict with its work. Our Home is especially for the world's orphans, and draws its support from the world, but we believe the Lord will be pleased to have these little ones placed in homes where they may be taught the truth.