A Plea for Dr Barnardo's Homes for Destitute Children.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 2 April 1891, Page 3

A Plea for Dr Barnardo's Homes for Destitute Children.

Dear friends, when we sit at oar tables Well supplied with good, wholesome fare And ptrtake of the bounties before u% Having always enough and to spare. When we sit by the cheerful fireside Or lie down to rest in our beds With warm cosy blankets above as And a tight roof over our heads. Let us tJhink of the pitiful story That comes from over the sea, The sad story of " Darkest London " And its terrible misery. Of the thousands of starving children Whose life is a struggle for bread, Who wander about clad in tatterfl, Who at night have no shelter, or bed. To them the long, rigorous winter Brings hardships, and sufferings untold, As they hunger, and freeze, and shiver In the bitter and biting cold. Oh 'tis a most pitiful story, And all with kind hearts must long To help in each earnest endeavour To right this terrible wron^. We cannot be like Barnardo Who for the outcast and poor, The friendless, the homeless, the orphan, Keeps ever an open door. We cannot be like Barnardo That noble and Christ-like man, Whose life work is rescuing children, But we ought to do what we can. Sis thousands of rescued children Require to be clothed and fed ; And money, dear friends, is needed To provide them with raiment and bread: In this heavenly work of mercy W* also may have some share ; Eaoh one may give it a helping hand, Jor we all have something to spare. I/efc nt read, and think on, the Bible account Of the last great judgment day, Thf very solemn and weighty words Which the Judge of all will then say (Matthew 25, 31.41) And give, for His sake, to these needy ones With a ready hatd and free, For He saith, " Whoever giv«th to them In my name, giveth to me." R.EK Foxton