Chapter 25—Caring for Needy Children
Orphaned Children—Many a father who has died in the faith,
resting upon the eternal promise of God, has left his loved ones in
full trust that the Lord would care for them. And how does the Lord
provide for these bereaved ones? He does not work a miracle in
sending manna from heaven; He does not send ravens to bring them
food; but He works a miracle upon human hearts, expelling selfishness
from the soul and unsealing the fountains of benevolence. He tests the
love of His professed followers by committing to their tender mercies
the afflicted and bereaved ones.
Let those who have the love of God open their hearts and homes
to take in these children....
There is a wide field of usefulness before all who will work for the
Master in caring for these children and youth who have been deprived
of the watchful guidance of parents and the subduing influence of a
Christian home. Many of them have inherited evil traits of character;
and if left to grow up in ignorance, they will drift into associations that
lead to vice and crime. These unpromising children need to be placed
in a position favorable for the formation of a right character, that they
may become children of God
Responsibility of the Church—Fatherless and motherless chil-
dren are thrown into the arms of the church, and Christ says to His
followers: Take these destitute children, bring them up for Me, and
ye shall receive your wages. I have seen much selfishness exhibited
in these things. Unless there is some special evidence that they them-
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selves are to be benefited by adopting into their family those who need
homes, some turn away and answer: No. They do not seem to know
or care whether such are saved or lost. That, they think, is not their
business. With Cain they say: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” They are
not willing to be put to inconvenience or to make any sacrifice for the
orphans, and they indifferently thrust such ones into the arms of the
world, who are sometimes more willing to receive them than are these
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Testimonies For The Church 6, 281, 282
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