Dr. Barnardo's Home Dr BARNARDO'S HOMES

This great social reformer was born in 1845 in Dublin, the capital of Ireland. From his tenderest years a life of asceticism and piety captivated him, and this upbringing left its mark upon him: he showed no sign of intelligence during his early studies, nor did he excel in any athletic game. When he reached young manhood he devoted himself to teaching in a school run by one of the charitable societies; apart from that, he spent his hours in prayer and supplication.

One day, as he was praying fervently alone, he felt an impulse driving him toward missionary work in China, so he went to London in 1866 to train and prepare, and then to join one of the missionary expeditions.

On reaching twenty-one he realized that China's need for evangelization, great as it was, was outweighed by its greater and more pressing need for medical missions; so he decided to study medicine and at once entered the London Hospital for the said purpose. There he showed a prodigious physical and mental capacity, for despite the time and effort the study of medicine demands, he never stopped giving lessons and preaching in the streets — which means that he "wasted" on sleep only the fewest possible hours.

Then came the turning point in his life, when he made of his lodging — a single room he had rented for the equivalent of 125 fils a week — a night school which he called "the Place of Hope"... One night, when the lessons were over and his pupils had gone, Barnardo noticed that one of them, called "Jim," had not stirred and had not left the place. He went up to him

and reminded him that he must be off, and when he repeated it, the boy answered:

— Where should I go, when I have no home and no shelter? — Then how have you been spending your nights until now? — I have grown used to sleeping among the ruins, or in the gardens, or under the bridges.

Barnardo was moved by what he saw and heard from his pupil, who

was no more than ten years old; he took him by the hand and led him to his bed, after serving him a hot supper.... Yet that did nothing to lessen his distress or quiet the storm within him. He went on thinking of the contradictions that this great city — the chief center of the world's commerce — might contain, and of the social tragedies within it, until he arrived at the following truth: this Jim must be one of hundreds, nay thousands, who have been denied shelter and livelihood, and who at this moment are groaning and complaining of cold, hunger, and nakedness.

At last, after a short argument with Jim, he was able to coax him and persuade him to point out the places where boys like him took refuge. The two went out, and when they reached one of the street corners, guided by the boy, they climbed a high wall

— and on top of that crumbling wall Barnardo found eleven young bodies, aged between nine and fourteen, sunk in a calm, deep sleep in the shadow of another wall adjoining it. Their covering was the sky in all its breadth; their clothing, tattered scraps, and scanty at that... The sight appalled him, and he began to reckon with the matter and make ready for it.

The Work Begins

Only a few days later, the missionary societies held a crowded meeting in the Agricultural Hall, which Barnardo attended in his capacity as a candidate for mission work. It happened that the speaker of the evening was delayed by unforeseen circumstances, and the organizers asked Barnardo to occupy the audience by explaining the inquiries and projects he was striving to establish in the eastern quarter of London. It was a surprise that daunted him at the very first, but he braced his lean frame and stood up among the people to speak. His words made so deep an impression on the souls of those present that they applauded him and asked for more of his account whenever he wished to stop and made to sit down.

No sooner had that meeting ended than gifts and donations poured in upon him — among them, one young girl, who worked as a servant, came up to him imploring him to accept from her the modest sum she had been able to save, to be spent on the homeless. Nor did the matter stop there: the newspapers took an interest in publishing his speech and commenting on his efforts, and this had a far-reaching echo among the various classes. Some believed him, and some doubted his words — such as Lord

By the efforts of one independent man, it embraces the largest family in the world... This is Dr. Barnardo's Home, which in less than 85 years has graduated 138,000 waifs who, but for this