Chapter XIII: The Stockwell Orphanage

Chapter XIII.
The Stockwell Orphanage

IT would never have occurred to us to commence an Orphanage, but it was a part of the design of Providence that such an institution should form part of our programme, and, therefore, so it is. In the October number of the "Sword and Trowel" for 1866, there occurs the first allusion to an Orphanage—the fact being that Mrs. Hillyard, a devoted sister in the Lord, had put aside £20,000 for this purpose, and invited us to take charge of it. This beloved friend was quite unknown to us till we received a letter intimating her purpose. Our deacons at once agreed to become our co-trustees, and we had a trust deed and scheme prepared. In January, 1867, two-and-a-half acres of ground in Stockwell, abutting upon the Clapham Road, were purchased, and we should have proceeded to build, but a monetary panic occurred, and we were unable to realize the securities which had been handed over to us, which were mainly railway debentures. We could not even pay for the ground without raising a loan on the securities, and this we felt would be a very bad omen at the commencement of the undertaking. The esteemed sister who had so freely given of her substance had invested it very prudently, and it was impossible to foresee the peculiar state of the money market which locked up all our funds; but it was wisely ordered, for the circumstance has been fraught with great results to the Orphanage, since it has compelled us to retain a larger endowment fund than we might otherwise have possessed, if, indeed, we had thought of having any at all. The scheme of the Orphanage proposed to do away with all voting and canvassing, with the wasteful expenditure necessitated thereby, and also to form the orphans into large families instead of massing them together upon the workhouse system. This last idea was convenient for the raising of money, for it enabled us to propose that individual donors should each give the amount to build a house, and at the same time we appealed to the Christian public for the means to pay for the land, and the buildings which would be needed for the common use of all the orphans, such as dining hall, schoolrooms, &c. We carried this matter before God in prayer and looked up, and we beg the reader to follow the entries in the "Sword and Trowel," and mark the goodness of God.

TESTIMONIAL HOUSES

June, 1867.—The Lord is beginning to appear for us in the matter of the Orphanage; but, as yet. he has not opened the windows of heaven as we desire and expect. We wait in prayer and faith. We need no less than £10,000 to erect the buildings, and it will come; for the Lord will answer the prayer of faith. One esteemed friend, Mr. George Moore, of Bow Churchyard, has, with spontaneous generosity, sent £250. Three friends have offered £50 each, in the hope that seventeen others will give the same.

July, 1867.—We have been waiting upon the Lord in faith and prayer concerning our Orphanage; but he is pleased at present to try us. As we have no object in view but the glory of God, by the instruction of fatherless boys in the ways of the Lord, having a special view to their souls' salvation, we had hoped that many of the Lord's people would at once have seen the usefulness and practical character of the enterprise, and have sent us substantial aid immediately. The Lord's way, however, is the best, and we rejoice in it, let it be what it may: if the work is to be one of time and long effort, so let it be, if thereby God's name is magnified.

We have engaged a sister to receive the first four orphans into her own hired house until the Orphanages are ready. One beloved friend, the original donor, has given her plate to be sold for this object, and in so doing has set an example to all believers who have surplus silver, which ought to be put to better use than by lying wrapped up in a box.

August, 1867.—Let the facts, which with deep gratitude we record this month, strengthen the faith of believers. In answer to many fervent prayers, the Lord has moved his people to send in during the last month, in different amounts, towards the general funds of the Orphanage, the sum of £1,075, for which we give thanks unto the name of the Lord. More especially do we see the gracious hand of God in the following incidents. A lady who has often aided us in the work of the College, having been spared to see the twenty-fifth anniversary of her marriage-day, her beloved husband presented her with £500 as a token of his ever-growing love to her. Our sister has called upon us, and dedicated the £500 to the building of one of the houses, to be called The Silver Wedding House. The Lord had, however, another substantial gift in store, to encourage us in our work; for a day or two ago a brother beloved in the Lord called upon us on certain business, and when he had retired, he left in a sealed envelope, the sum of £600, which is to be expended in erecting another house. This donation was as little expected as the first, except that our faith expects that all our needs will be supplied in the Lord's own way. The next day, when preaching in the open air, an unknown sister put an envelope into my hand, enclosing £20 for the College, and another £20 for the Orphanage. "What hath God wrought!"

Later on, Mr. William Higgs, of the Crown Works, South Lambeth, and his workmen, promised to build a house, and Mr. Thomas Olney and sons also agreed to erect another in memory of Mrs. Unity Olney, deceased. So things moved on as the Lord would have them do. The magazine for September, 1867, records the great doings at the laying of the first stones of four houses: the Silver-wedding House, by C. H. S.; the Merchant's House, by Mrs. Hillyard; Workman's House, by Mr. William Higgs; and Unity House, by Mr. Thomas Olney, senior. At the close of the day £2,200 had been brought in: so that the land had been purchased and four houses were provided for without touching Mrs. Hillyard's gift. Thus far was the faithfulness of God in answering prayer tried and proved. After the meeting a storm came on and carried away the wooden hall in which the meeting had been held, but the mercy was that this had not happened when we were all assembled in it. The damage was done when no one was injured, and, through the sympathy which it evoked, it was a gain to the funds.

Jan. 1868.—About three weeks ago, the noble sum of £1,000 was brought us by an unknown gentleman, towards the erection of two other houses.

March, 1868.—Just at the last moment, as we were going to press, we received £2,600 from A. B., an unknown friend. We call upon all our friends to magnify the Lord for this amazing instance of his care. How base a thing is unbelief, and how largely does the Lord honour his servants' faith! The note which attended this munificent gift, proves it to be from the same donor who gave £1,000 a few weeks ago. We have feared that the Orphanage might impoverish the College; see, dear readers, how graciously the Lord rebukes this unbelieving fear!

"My dear Sir,—You will remember my intention to send a donation to your College, I have this day dropped into your letter-box an envelope containing two bank notes (£2,000), one of which is for the College and the remaining £1,000 to help complete the Orphanage. The latter led me to contribute to the former. I am a stranger to you but not to your sermons (printed). May the Lord give you health and strength many years to preach his word, and carry on his work. A. B."

April, 1868.—We are proceeding at the Stockwell Orphanage with the schoolroom, dining-hall, master's house, four dwelling houses, and the shell of three other houses, which for the present will be used as a hall, in lieu of the erection which was blown down. For all this we look up for means, and means will come.

June 1st, 1868.—This day the Baptist churches presented £1,200 as a testimonial to C. H. Spurgeon. To Messrs. Wigner & Goodall we cannot fully express our sense of obligation, as secretary and treasurer of this fund, which enabled us to build the two houses shown in the engraving, neither can we tell forth the joy which the brotherly love of the churches created in our heart. The amount was afterward made up to £1,765. Upon the splendidly illuminated memorial presented to us were the following kind sentences:—"To the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon.

"Dear Friend and Brother

"We have much pleasure in presenting to you herewith a purse containing £1,200, the free-will offerings of a considerable number of individuals and churches of our denomination in the United Kingdom.

"We have a two-fold object in this presentation. First, as a small token of the high esteem in which we hold you; secondly, to aid you in your noble effort to find a home for orphan boys. We have watched your past career with praise and prayer; praise to our covenant-keeping God who has so richly endowed you with gifts for his service, inspired you with zeal in his cause, and blest you with Pentecostal success; prayer, that he would keep you blameless to the end, give you increasing love to and ever-growing success in his kingdom, and, finally, the crown of eternal life. We honour you for your work's sake, nor less for your generous love to all your brethren in the ministry, and to the churches over which they preside. To the blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be all the glory.

"We feel a deep interest in the Orphanage scheme which you have been privileged to commence, and pray that you may have all needful grace to carry it on. We desire that the two houses to be built with the money now cheerfully given, may prove an abundant blessing to many sons cf good and devoted ministers of Jesus gone to their rest; in them may their children find a precious home, be trained, blest, sanctified, and made blessings—a joy to you and an honour to our Lord.

"We rejoice to be able to say that all the responses to our circular have been most affectionate and hearty, proving the deep interest which the churches feel to the object, how you live in their hearts and are remembered in their prayers.

"Accept, then, dear brother, this testimonial on behalf of all the subscribers, with the assurance of our high esteem, our fervent love, our earnest prayers.

"Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied unto you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

"We are, dear brother, affectionately yours in Jesus, "Alex. B. Goodall, Treasurer.

"1st June, 1868.

"John Thomas Wigner, Hon. Sec." On the 19th of June, 1868, on our birthday, we received the tenderest tokens of the love of our dear flock. Mr. Thomas Olney, junior, and our huge Sabbath-school, gathered around the first stone of the house which they are to build, and the songs and shouts made us all cheerfully remember our youth. It is no small thing for our esteemed superintendent to undertake to supply a house, but with a little help it will be done. As a token of love from past and present students, they had also resolved to build a house. The Lord bless them for it. Our beloved wife, so long an invalid, and even then far from well, was most lovingly requested by the ministers and students of the College to lay the first stone of the College House. She was graciously upheld, although the surpassing kindness displayed was enough to overcome a far stronger frame. After the stone-laying was over, twenty-six sweet little girls in white advanced, one by one, and presented Mrs. Spurgeon with purses, which their parents had subscribed as a token of their affectionate rejoicing at her restoration to our midst. It was a most beautiful and unexpected spectacle—one which none will ever forget. By the end of 1869 all the buildings were finished, at a cost of £10,200, and were entirely free of debt. Since then an Infirmary, Bath, and Laundry have been added, and two of the houses have been elevated another story, and the money has been found for all, by the gracious hand of the Lord. With 240 children we now need £5,000 per annum; we have constantly received it, and we always shall. The endowments of the institution are now valued at £30,000, and will, we hope, increase till all the expenses will be supplied, and we shall be free to go on to a Girls' Orphanage which we have long contemplated. This story flows on swimmingly, but there have been many trials of faith in the matter, and these continue, so far as the daily expenditure is concerned. A few of our memoranda will show how the Lord delivered us.

Dec., 1869.—As our friends are aware, we have been suddenly laid aside by an attack of small-pox. When we thus found ourselves put out of the way just when we were wanted in a thousand places, we cried to the Lord to let none of our work suffer, and especially we begged him to care for the Orphanage and College. Within a few hours a beloved friend, knowing nothing of our affliction, called and left £500 for the Orphanage. How condescendingly did the Lord thus ease his poor servant's mind! We felt a sweet peace and holy joy in leaving all the rest of our work in the same hands. A day or two after, Wednesday, November 17, a letter was received, enclosing £1,000. Here again we bless the name of the Lord, and set to our seal that God is true.

Oct. 1870.—Our best thanks are due to Mr. Hugh Stowell Brown, and his friends, for a second time inviting us to Liverpool, and giving such noble help to the Orphanage. This makes £450 raised for the Orphans in Myrtle Street.

Feb. 1871.—Some little time ago, our friend, Mr. Bath, who often aids the Orphanage, gave us six dozen bunches of turnips, and merrily added, 'I hope someone will send you the mutton.' About an hour after, a farmer sent a whole sheep; so the mutton and turnips were both on the spot.

One esteemed lady friend, and the ladies of her school, have now made us, we think in all, 700 shirts for the boys. May their labour of love be richly rewarded. (Since then they have sent us in all 2,590 shirts.)

July, 1872.—We have again to sing of mercy. No sooner was the empty state of our Orphanage exchequer made known to our faithful friends, than the Lord inclined their hearts to send the necessary aid. This is a distinct answer to prayer, for other charities have been in the same condition and have made many urgent appeals without evoking the reply which they desired. So prompt and generous have been the responses of our loving helpers, that, after paying £300 for the demands of the month, we have still £1,200 in hand—a marvellous change, indeed, from an actual deficit of £90, and all within a few days.

Dec. 1873.—We were not well enough to be at the meeting of Trustees, but quite able to understand the report of the monthly settlement. During the week, a friend gave us £50. Mr. Chown, of Bradford, kindly sent £125, the result of a collection, and, with other sums, we had more than £700 in hand. The time had, however, come for new suits for the orphans and certain expenses incident to the season, and to our surprise the report of the secretary was "all bills paid, but only £3 left." Prayer went to work at once, and results followed. Will the reader, however, picture himself with more than 220 boys to feed and £3 in hand! He may say, 'The Lord will provide,' but would he feel the force of this truth if he were in our straits? From the date above mentioned, we have lived on, but it has been very much from hand to mouth,—and it is very sweet to see how the Lord provides. A friend in Sweden sent us help, and another from Belgium. A young man sends 6s. 6d., being threepence per week of his first wages, adding, 'May it please the Lord to put it into the hearts of many to support you in your great undertaking.' A brother, with a large family, offers some potatoes and turnips, and remarks that since he has given to the Orphanage, he has been much the gainer by improved crops. A donor, who is accustomed to store weekly for the Lord, speaks of the plan as greatly beneficial. One who sends a considerable donation, says, "I never write a cheque for you without feeling very sorry that I cannot make it ten times as much." Our expenses, exclusive of our income from property, amount to £10 a day, and two or three gentlemen have each sent us a day's supply; and while the ink is yet in our pen, we are pleasantly interrupted by the postman with two cheques of £10 each from Cardiff. Having soon to start for the south of France, we should be grateful to our heavenly Father if he would enable us to go away with some little store left on hand for the trustees to pay their way with in our absence.

June, 1874.—The funds of the Orphanage ran completely dry on May 8th, and drove us to plead with God for replenishment. The answer was immediate and sufficient. On the very day in which supplication was made nearly £400 was sent into the treasury, and our heart was gladdened.

March, 1875.—The funds of the Orphanage are very low. When the tide has quite ebbed out the flood will return. Our 230 boys persist in eating, and wearing out their clothes, or we would not even mention the matter of failing funds, but appetites are stubborn things, and our boys have double-barrelled ones.

Sept. 1875.—We have this month received the largest amount, save one, ever entrusted to us at one time, namely £10,000; half of it is for the Orphanage, and will be invested according to our general rule with legacies, unless our daily needs should compel us to draw upon it.

Nov. 1875.—This month we have had many generous helps, but one of them has charmed us beyond measure. The good friends at Heading have held a bazaar for our Orphanage, and the net result is £1,158!! We never dreamed of such a thing, and can hardly realise it now. This is royal munificence, surpassing anything done for us by any town in England. We bless the name of the Lord, and take courage. We can now go away to our short rest without; the slightest anxiety on the score of the orphans.

After this manner our experience varies, but never ceases to bear testimony to a faithful God and the power of believing prayer.

The Orphanage is approached from the Clapham Road by a broad avenue. Our woodcut was taken some time ago, and since it was executed, plane trees have been planted on either side, and have attained a good growth, very greatly adding to the beauty of the entrance. Before you is the entrance arch, to the right is the master's house, and to left are the dining hall and kitchen. Observe on the pillar on the right the Sword and the Trowel, the pastor's motto, and on the left the testimony to the great truth that faith will be honoured and "The Lord will provide." Oh the inner sides of the two first piers are the text "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." When standing under the noble archway note again the text which strengthens our hearts in Orphanage work, "A Father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widow is God in his holy habitation." On the piers fronting the Orphanage grounds are the two following inscriptions, "Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these," and "Your heavenly Father feedeth them," which again proclaim our hope and the ground of our confidence.

STOCKWELL ORPHANAGE. On looking from under the arch the visitor is struck with the size and beauty of the buildings, and the delightfully airy and open character of the whole institution. It is a place of sweetness and light, where merry voices ring out and happy children play. The stranger will be pleased with the dining hall, hung round with engravings given by Mr. Graves, of Pall Mall; he will be shown into the board room where the trustees transact the business: and he will be specially pleased with the great play hall in which our public meetings are held and the boys' sports are carried on. There is the swimming bath, which enables us to say that nearly every boy can swim. Up at the very top of the buildings, after ascending two flights of stairs, the visitor will find the schoolrooms, which from their very position are airy and wholesome. The floors, scrubbed by the boys themselves, the beds made, and the domestic arrangements all kept in order by their own labour, are usually spoken of with approbation. The matrons are glad to show friends ever their houses; Mr. Charlesworth, the excellent master, is always pleased to arrange for friends to look over the schools and the buildings, and when there is no contagious disease abroad, he will conduct them to the infirmary, where the best of nurses will be glad to show them their domains. The Infirmary itself stands at the further end of the Orphanage grounds, and is spacious enough to accommodate a large number of children should an epidemic break out in the institution. It was built after the other portions had been finished, and has proved a great blessing, for ever since its erection the speedy isolation of ailing boys has checked the spread of contagions disease, and by God's blessing has preserved our average of health at a very high point indeed. We give a view of it upon the opposite page.

Our esteemed friend, Mr. Charlesworth, formerly assistant minister at Surrey Chapel, enters most heartily into his work, and as head master saves us a world of anxiety. We are also singularly happy in all the helpers. Long may they be spared to us. We are under deep obligations to Messrs. Bartlett, Daniel, Evans, Macgregor, Andrew Dunn, and others, who labour for the spiritual good of the boys on the Sabbath, and to voluntary teachers who kindly take such branches of education as French, Music, &c., and give us their services without fee or reward. Inasmuch as these, and our donors, and various helpers have done it unto these little ones, they have done it unto their Lord himself, and they shall not lack their reward.

We have already seen many children converted, and these are formed into a Christian band. Several of the lads who have left have subscribed handsomely to the funds; almost without exception all the boys in situations are doing well, and one is in the College, giving every token of becoming a good minister of Jesus Christ.

THE INFIRMARY. The whole work is carried on in dependence upon God, and his blessing is manifestly resting upon it. Having no list of subscribers, no payments for votes, and a continual need for nearly £4,000 above the income from property, we are, nevertheless, well supplied. At the same time, as the Lord works by means, the reader will, we trust, consder how much of the needed provision he is himself bound to send in. About £80 a week is needed. Gifts of food, clothing, firing, &c., will be acceptable. Direct cash to C. H. Spurgeon, Nightingale Lane, Clapham, Surrey, and parcels to Mr. Charlesworth, the Orphanage, Stockwell. The Orphanage is for destitute fatherless boys. Applicants must be between the ages of six and ten.