"Next morning we started for visits to several children. Found the first child gone to school. We saw her looking well as we passed the school-house, and called her out. All we saw that day filled our hearts with deepest thankfulness. The meeting in the evening was held in the Congregational Church, well warmed and lighted, and a most intelligent-looking gathering. Ere long I espied one of the orphan lads, and called him to me, that he might speak for himself, knowing that his own words would endorse the work more forcibly than anything I could say. He was a bright, intellectual looking youth of fourteen, who in a most manly way answered me a few questions. In this way we are securing the prayers of God's dear children, and, we trust, opening many a heart and home for those who may yet come forth from the dens of sin and iniquity of our great cities.
"Our Canadian horse seemed to enjoy the snow as much as we did, even though the depth had tripled since our leaving home. How much on this journey we have learnt of the continued loving-kindness of our covenant-keeping God, making our fears fly, and giving protection from the stormy blasts, in forms so comparatively new to us. Every person is so kind to us that we are so glad we have been led to yield to this service as a child. Many a door, we trust, will soon be wide open for earnest evangelists to come and be fresh voices, cheering our brethren who are labouring on in these small towns away from the front.
"Pray on for us, as a band, that we take not one step before the Lord, but that we hold not back on account of our weakness or the fear of man. Ask for us that we may each one live so close to the Lord, that we may be fitted to deal personally with those we meet with.
"We are frequently holding up your hands and praying that daily the Lord will send the means with the children, and that you all be sustained in health. Grace and peace be with you all—Yours, in sweet fellowship, A. MP.
"Eastern Townships, Prov. of Quebec, November 18, 1873."
In March, 1874, Miss Macpherson returned from Canada filled with praise for the encouragement met with. She had been enabled to plead the cause of her children before many in positions of influence, judges, merchants, lawyers, and doctors. A choice of two hundred homes, amidst the love and affluence of that country, were now awaiting her little rescued ones. Her own joy was increased by receiving the letter of which she thus writes:—
"The enclosed letter will cheer our brother Dr. Barnardo, by showing what a home God has provided for a dear little boy he was permitted to rescue and train. Surely the departed mother, from whom our brother received the child, would feel that the Lord is indeed the Father of the fatherless.
'DEAR MISS,—I embrace this early opportunity of letting you know how well pleased we all are with, and how much we like, little Henry Tuppen. He is such a willing, obedient, and loving fellow, he has won all our hearts, and we feel very much attached to him already. Many, very many thanks to you and your fellow-labourers for the invaluable, yes, priceless, lessons he has received under your kind care. Surely this is much more than "the cup of cold water," and "you shall in no wise lose your reward." Oh, may we discharge our duty as you have towards this dear little orphan! My visit to you and your home that morning was a great blessing to me; never shall I forget it. To hear that dear little fellow sing "Bright Jewels," and look around over the group of little ones, far from native home, and father and mother, brother and sister, and think, "These are the jewels, precious jewels," it seemed to bring heaven near. And truly the Saviour was present. I never think of it but the tear starts, and a silent prayer is offered that the Lord will give them all good Christian homes, and that they may be all 'bright jewels,' and great shall be your reward. Their heavenly Father sees it all.
'But I am forgetting my main object in writing to you, which is to ask you if the little girl, the elder of the two whom we saw, is yet provided with a home. If not, we have room for her, and should be glad to have her. She would be such good company for my sister, who is at home with mother. She would be treated in every way as a daughter and a sister. Father is very sorry he did not bring her that morning. It seems he thought of it then, but wished to talk it over with the rest of the family.'"
Miss Macpherson adds:—