"Who is the little girl asked for to become a daughter and sister? None other than the little Eliza who was found deserted seven years ago, when only a few weeks old, and who has been most carefully trained since then by our beloved sister-labourer, Miss Mittendorf, whose toil among infant wanderers deserves the deepest gratitude of the children of God."
The Homes at Hampton, endeared as they were by recollections of many blessings, were this year vacated. The distance from Spitalfields had always been a great strain on the strength of wearied workers, and both time and fatigue were spared by removal to Hackney.
The opening of this Home is thus mentioned:—
November 5, 1874.
"On Saturday, the New Home situated in London-fields was opened with prayer and thanksgiving. It consists of two large old-fashioned houses thrown into one, and the situation is, for the neighbourhood, remarkably open and airy. Many friends assembled, Mr. Dobbin presided, and suggested, at the opening of the meeting, an analogy between the Home of Industry, with its various stations, and the pool of Bethesda 'having five porches.' Much prayer, and praise followed, and worshipful hearts told themselves out in love and adoration. Such hymns as 'Call them in,' 'Till He come,' and 'More to Follow,' aptly expressed the aspirations and hopes of the earnest workers. Mr. Merry, Mr. Maude, and others spoke, and then Mrs. Birt, only two days since returned from Nova Scotia, gave accounts of the success of the recent voyage, when eighty-three rescued children found happy homes on the other side of the water, and most touching particulars of the death of little Dickie, who went actually into the earthly harbour, and entered the heavenly haven of rest at the same time. In the bustle of arrival, 'he was not, for God took him.'"
CHAPTER VI.
1875-1877.
Mrs. Way's sewing—class for Jewesses—Bible Flower Mission—George
Clarice—Incidents in home work—The Lord's Day—Diary at sea—
Letters of cheer from Canada.
The Home of Industry has been already likened to the Pool of Bethesda with its fine porches. Many sights there have been peculiar to itself, and in no instance has this in past years been more remarkable, than in the meeting for Jewesses, which has been carried on ever since the year 1870. From fifty to seventy daughters of Israel are gathered weekly, through the Lord's blessing on the patient, unwearied labours of his honoured servant Mrs. Way. Greatly indeed should she be honoured, for she diligently sought out these lost sheep, when few comparatively could be found to "care for their souls." When first told of "the name at which every knee shall bow," much scorn and contempt were manifested, but Mrs. Way is now cheered by many signs of the Spirit's work, and when a hymn of praise to the "Crucified One," is heard from the inner hall on the ground floor, visitors may be startled to know the voices are those of Hebrew mothers.
Again the Pool of Bethesda is brought to mind, as love for the sick and suffering is shown in a way hitherto unthought of. In 1875, the Home of Industry became a centre of the now well-known Bible Flower Mission. One of the much-loved helpers recorded this touching incident:—