SAVING THE CHILDREN by H. W. Brayton

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 11, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 50.

SAVING THE CHILDREN.

By H. W. Brayton

The Children’s Home-Finding Society seeks homeless, neglected, and destitute children of all ages, and finds homes for them in worthy Christian families. It aims to save the child to society, to the State, and to the Church by placing it in the best educational institution in the world—the family home. In this work we must rely upon the intelligent co-operation of these families for the best results.

More than is generally supposed, young children under twelve years of age yield to these influences and are permanently benefited. The families receiving them also are blessed, thus verifying the Saviour’s words, “Whoso receiveth one such little child in My name receiveth Me.” By the age of fourteen habits have become fairly well formed, hence the necessity of receiving them while young and in their plastic years. In these early years the most unpromising may be benefited and saved. It is to combat the widely prevalent opinion that these unfortunate little ones are doomed, and to secure the co-operation of Christian families in the alleviation of their condition, that these thoughts are presented. It is wonderful what transformations may be effected by a little change of environment. A little soap, clean clothes, decent surroundings, and Christian associations work wonders with these children. It is the decided opinion of the writer, gathered from some ten years of study and observation in direct work for these little ones, that the encouragements to labor in their behalf are very great, and the results most satisfactory. We are not at all surprised that Charles Loring Brace, founder of the New York Children’s Aid Society, should have considered the encouragements to labor in this field so great as to be drawn toward it in preference to all others. We are sure that no field of Christian endeavor offers such inducements as this for the Christian worker, and especially for the Christian family that is in a position to undertake the task. The co-operation of such is requested and earnestly solicited.

H. W. Brayton, Supt. C. H. F. S.

906 Market St., San Francisco.