Feed My Lambs by Golda L. Abbott

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Sep 15, 1904

“Feed My Lambs”

By Golda L. Abbott

In considering the work for children there is perhaps no text in the Scriptures more frequently referred to than that found in Matt. 19:13-15. Here the Saviour has set forth in its true light this phase of missionary enterprise. Seeing in the little group that surrounded him the grown men and women who would be called to tread with him the path of sorrow, to share with him the joys of the redeemed, he, the Majesty of heaven, gave them the blessing for which they came.

To-day, as nineteen hundred years ago, the command is given still: “Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven;” and “Feed my lambs.” The children are a sacred trust. To the parent this sacred trust belongs. But there are those whom misfortune and death have robbed of the protecting love of parents. They are thrown on the cold mercies of the world, and left to grow up not only a burden to society, but a possible menace to its peace.

The Haskell Home was established especially in behalf of the motherless and homeless little ones. The sore need of such a home has been demonstrated in its experience. The rich results obtained in the steady progress which this work has made, eternity alone can reveal. And as our work becomes more widely known, its opportunities far exceed its facilities for relief. When the Home is filled to its utmost capacity, the number of applicants for admission does not diminish. The world is full of heaven’s suffering, homeless little ones. Shall we not as a people stand ready to receive and train those whom God shall send to us?

A family of boys recently expressed their sympathy for the work in its present financial embarrassment by making a contribution to the Home fund of the few little earnings which they had obtained in fruit picking for a farmer who employs them yearly. This little gift touched our hearts, leading us to feel that effort is not being unappreciated.

One of our little kindergartners, while visiting her mama, learned of the latter’s intention to bake on the Sabbath. The child earnestly remonstrated with her, insisting that they had far better deny themselves bread than to break God’s holy Sabbath.

A caretaker in charge of one of the “families” of little boys recently arose before the ringing of the rising bell, and to her surprise found one of her little ones in an attitude of prayer. Learning to repose in the love of Jesus, he had arisen in the quiet stillness of early dawn to commune with his heavenly Friend.

These few of many instances have been selected with the hope of assuring those who have lent their support to this work, that it has not been given in vain. Could you but step into some “family” circle in the Haskell Home, just at the twilight hour, or in the early morning, and listen to their childish voices ascending to heaven in prayers of thanksgiving for the blessings of the Home with which they have been surrounded; could you listen to their earnest petitions for heavenly grace and strength to withstand temptation; could you hear the childish accounts given of victories gained in the name of Jesus, your inmost soul would be touched, your whole being would vibrate, with that great heart of infinite love, and with him you would see in these little ones the precious “lambs” that he has left in the charge of his people, and has bidden us to “feed.” And from the Home of this little flock of his, I write this appeal in behalf of his own “lambs.” In assisting in the care of these little children you are not only responding to the call of Jesus to feed his lambs, but you are sowing good seed that will spring up after many days in the going forth of many of these into the active work of the great third angel’s message which we love.

To-day this work is suffering for lack of means. The work has not in anywise diminished, and can not truly. Yet the donations during the past year, instead of being increased, have been greatly diminished, although applications for relief have been more urgent and more numerous than ever before. This institution is a sacred trust whose mission found its birth in the thought of him who has promised to be the “Father of the fatherless.” Shall we, his co-laborers, no longer harken to the command which he, not man, has given? Shall we, like his disciples of old, turn aside the dependent, anxious mothers who fain would bring their little ones to Jesus?

O dear readers, as one who has been closely connected with the work for some time, witnessing the self-sacrificing efforts of those bearing the burden of this work, together with their co-laborers, and observing the development and spiritual growth of the children, I plead with you as one united whole to stand true to this sacred trust that God has entrusted to this people. And, reaching deep into our pockets, let us hasten to lift the work from the meshes of financial embarrassment into which lack of co-operation and support have plunged it. Again I plead, shall these dependent ones cry in vain for food and shelter, and for the bread which endureth unto eternal life?

As to Peter of old, so to us to-day, the Master has given a test of love: “Feed my lambs.” The next regular collection for the Haskell Home children does not come till October. But these little ones need help now. Will not the readers of this appeal respond just now to the Saviour’s call of love—“Feed my lambs”?

GOLDA L. ABBOTT.