"Many a warm shake of the hand I had from poor costermongers and grey-headed men, for what had been done for their belongings in taking them from the sin and want around.
"My way is now open to go forward, as means permit, to rescue girls and train them for Canada or for service in England."
Miss Macpherson goes on to tell of the purchase of the Galt Home, 300 miles westward, and states the need in these words:—
"We found that to educate our Canadian family, and thoroughly fit them to be of value to the farmer, a few fields to work upon would be an advantage, that they might see the effects of new soil and climate, in the growth of vegetables, shrubs, and farm produce."
"Thou hast tried us as silver is tried. We went through fire and through water, but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place." This was the experience of the beginning of the year 1872. Miss Bilbrough's letter brings to mind Deut. xxxiii. 12.
"BELLEVILLE, January 29, 1872.
"DEAREST ANNIE,—It is indeed difficult to begin a letter to you, when I know you always open our letters feeling sure of good news. And yet this one brings you the best you ever had. Lives spared, I trust, to work more than ever for Him who hath done such great things for us. Our song is one of continual thankfulness and praise, and I know you will join us in giving thanks. Our beautiful Home lies in ruins, only the walls standing, and there is one little grave dug by Benjamin Stanley's, containing the ashes of little Robbie Gray.
"I hardly know how to begin, it still seems so terrible and real.
"We had had a happy Sabbath. We were to have an early breakfast next morning, and I awoke in the night thinking it was daylight. Miss Baylis came to my door, which was shut, saying, 'Miss Bilbrough, there's smoke!'
"I jumped up, and oh, the feeling, when I saw the house full of dense white smoke! I knew well what it must be. I rushed to Mr. Thorn's room, he was sleeping heavily, but I roused him, saying the house was on fire; then I went down to the boys, Philips and Keen, who were in the schoolroom, called them up and told them to save the children, and rushed upstairs, nearly choked, calling 'Fire!'