MANY readers will remember that last year we told something about the work of this Mission. How, during the summer months, an earnest band of workers took a large number of children, the poorest of the poor, just for an afternoon’s ride on a tram car out of the great city of London into the lovely green fields and woods beyond.
It is with real gratitude to God we mention that the hearts of many of our kind readers were touched, and so much practical help was rendered that nearly all the necessary expenses connected with this feature of the work were contributed through the auspices of this paper.
We ventured to explain that each day during the summer months companies of from thirty to forty of these “little ones” gathered out of the terrible courts and alleys of densely populated Clerkenwell, were thus taken into the sunshine, given a tea, and spoken to lovingly and tenderly about the Saviour. Many of these children were cripples, and it was pathetic beyond expression to note even the care and kindness of the drivers and conductors of the trams in helping gently to lift a crippled child to the top of their great cars.
Our friends of the “Lamb and Flag” were so grateful for our assistance in this service that they had a photograph taken of the front of the Mission House, with a rather select group of young friends who have been for some time under the spiritual auspices of the faithful workers. Of course this illustration gives no idea of many of the sad little specimens of humanity that benefit through the generosity of our readers; but still it is most interesting to know that most of the children in this picture were once in just such unhappy, uncared-for surroundings, but have now been made happy and glad through the loving Christian kindness of their devoted teachers. It is a pleasure to look into their happy, cheery little faces!
It will interest our readers also to know that the friend on the left hand is Mr. Bray, who for thirty-five years has labored with rare devotion in the “Lamb and Flag,” and also in the districts around. We went with him recently into Bishop’s Court, and it was wonderful to note how gladly he was received by the poor people and children in that indescribably lamentable place.
Next to him is Sister Joslin, who for twenty-nine years has similarly worked for the Master in the midst of all these sad surroundings. It will be noticed she carries one of these poor crippled little ones. Probably this child has never sat up, and never will. The clean, comfortable appearance and clothing of the child are just the outcome of the loving care of such true workers of whom our friend Miss Joslin is a notable example.
In the center is a lad who has been permitted to ride a self-wheeling invalid carriage. It was formerly utilized by an adult. Our young friend had not quite become accustomed to this mode of locomotion, but Mr. Bray told us he was making good progress and would soon be able to move about as energetically as did previously the older occupant of it.
We must just mention Mr. French, who stands under the lamp. Another good example of the men-workers! Don’t the children love him Why we heard him lead some hundreds of these poor children in singing lately, and it was simply marvelous. Beautiful hymns, full of Gospel sunshine and gladness, he enabled them to sing with such precision and power as would have surprised our readers could they have heard them. May God abundantly bless, not only those helpers in the picture, but every worker in this interesting mission.
We mentioned last year that one shilling would pay for each child taken out for the afternoon, including tram fare and a nice tea. Ten children for ten shillings: twenty for twenty shillings; for thirty shillings an entire tram load could be taken, as a reduction would be made “for quantities” in the fares. Any help may be sent to the “Lamb and Flag,” care of the Editor, “SPRINGING WELL,” 1.4, Paternoster Row, London.