FOR CHILDHOOD'S SAKE by Mrs. E. A. Chapman

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 22, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 12.

FOR CHILDHOOD'S SAKE.

By Mrs. E. A. Chapman

BEAUTIFUL baby, Adrift on life's sea, What is thy future? Where shalt thou be? Whose hand is to guide, Whose home shelter thee?

Beautiful baby, Our Lord loveth thee; His hand guides thy bark O'er the borderless sea To His bosom, where shelter Is waiting for thee.

Beautiful baby, What faith in thine eye! What trust and repose, Since Jesus is nigh! Safe rest in His hand, In His bosom safe lie.

The readers of the SIGNS will perhaps remember an article a few months ago giving the origin and work, as well as a picture, of our orphans' home in Alameda, California; and a few jottings from the home may again prove of interest. I quote a few lines from those whose firesides have been blessed by an adopted member from our family.

From the new mother: "In regard to little Doris, we could never get along without her, and we take more comfort with her than anything we have ever had in our lives, and love her more dearly every day."

Another line: "Little Harry is the dearest thing on earth. I never knew what it was to live and enjoy life before."

A letter from two little sisters: "We are so happy! Mama says we may have a baby brother from the Home of the Friendless, for adoption, and we can hardly wait till he may be sent to us." I will say the little brother is going soon.

Another heart that has been gladdened, having taken a child after the loss of her own, writes: "Our little one is doing as nicely as a baby could, and seems so happy and contented! She looks into my face with those large blue eyes as if saying, 'Love me;' yes, pleadingly, 'Only love me, and let me be your baby.' Love her? I do, every inch of her precious body. If she is only a jewel in Christ's kingdom, I shall be more than repaid; and this is my hope, this is my aim."

A Peep into the Nursery of the Home of the Friendless, Alameda, Cal.

Many such words are received, but this is quite enough to demonstrate that "a babe in the home is a wellspring of pleasure." "Save the nation of to-morrow by saving the children of to-day."

It is estimated that there are between seventy and one hundred thousand dependent and homeless children in the United States, and six thousand of that number in California.

The primary object of our home is to seek and shelter these homeless ones until a permanent home and mother's love may be secured for them. We pity the orphans and half orphans, but their condition is not so sad as that of the deserted child. After having been cruelly treated, abandoned, and ofttimes reared in shame by its legal parents, it is not always an easy matter to place the deserted children. But be assured they appreciate the change, and very readily adapt themselves, and it has been well said that "environment shapes the destiny of the child."

Many of our children are for adoption, but orphans and half orphans are temporarily boarded or permanently cared for. Altho the work is comparatively new, nearly two hundred children have been under observation, and a good per cent. of that number have been in the home at some time, and some sixty bright boys and girls have cheered as many mother hearts.

The Home of the Friendless is supported entirely by donations and collections from the churches in California and Nevada on the first Sabbath in April and October of each year. The home family are, indeed, grateful, and ever remember that their friends are many, from the dear grandma, that makes the quilts, to the wee tot that sends her frock or a treasured toy.

"There is nothing more pure in heaven, And nothing on earth more mild, More full of the light that is all divine, Than the smile of a little child." MRS. E. A. CHAPMAN, Corresponding Secretary.