"We are now beyond the vast acres of frozen sea, and every hour brings us into a warmer climate, and nearer to our desired haven. Those interested in our little band, may rest assured it has been a happy voyage with each one. Not one case of disobedience has caused us anxiety. Early to sleep and early on deck has given good appetites, as all their brown and rosy cheeks do testify. At this point of our journey we recall the experience of May 1870, entering a way unpassed heretofore. Now can we praise with a full heart, and testify that His own 'I wills,' in Isa. xlii. 16, have been realised by us as a little band.
"We are now about to land with our 1520th child, our twelfth voyage, without a storm, thousands of welcomes from warm hearts awaiting us. Open doors in scores of towns around each of our three missionary centres, ready to receive the evangelists who travel with us. We ask continued prayers that they may be young Stephens, filled with faith and power, and that we maybe guided in the right distribution of the tracts and books we carry with us.
"And oh, dear pleaders, remember the many lonely, little hearts we are finding homes for; it is very sorrowful work unbinding, as it were, the little twinings their sweet, obedient ways have already bound around us. Many were writing letters this morning ready to post when landing, but very many had not a love-link to earth. One little fellow said, 'I ain't got nobody to write to but you.' The one most lonely as to earth's relationships will soon become a solitary one set in a family; and again, if permitted, we shall return and gather in another family from the sad, sad, million-peopled city.—Yours, in the bonds of the Gospel,
"Annie Macpherson.
"P. S.—May 7. We have landed under the brightest sunshine, on a warm, balmy June-like day, feeling deeply thankful for all our heavenly Father's mercies. A deputation of Quebec Christian sisters awaited our touching the shore. What a bond is ours in Christ Jesus!"
Allusion has been made to the Home opened by Mrs. Birt at Liverpool; and the following letter will show the heart-rending nature of the scenes occurring there as in London:—
"August 7.
"Dear Friends,—On the 12th of May last we opened the above Home, and there were present on the occasion more ladies and gentlemen whose hearty sympathy seemed with us, than the large room could comfortably hold. One little destitute fellow was presented as the first to enter for protection and kindly care. Since then ninety poor tiny creatures have been admitted, and these alike share in the love, attention, and comfort found within the walls of this happy Home.
"Through the great kindness of the friend who placed the premises at our disposal, we have obtained an additional room, which enables us to rescue some little girls, many of whom are orphans, who dragged out a miserable existence by begging for food, and sleeping wherever they could find shelter; others, worse off, were, through their relationship, running every risk of being reared to a life of infamy and ruin. Others are the children of widowed mothers, who say they are willing to work, but finding none of a continuous character, have rapidly sunk to a condition of wretchedness from which it seems impossible they can rise.
"Seventy have rapidly progressed, and are so obedient and anxious to please, that so far as training in this country is concerned, they are in a fit state of preparedness for emigration to Canada; and from the statements received from our sister, Miss Macpherson, of the increased and increasing demand from Canadian families for useful boys and girls, to assist them in their house and farm duties, we do think that these should be taken without delay to the comfortable homes waiting to receive them,—homes in which they will be trained to habits of industry, usefulness, and saving.