The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-12-22
" ROOM FOR A LITTLE FELLOW.
By REV. HENRY c. M'CooE.


The following lines require this work Of
explanation. Last Thanksgiving Day /
preached from the text: "The earth hath
He given to the children of men" In the
course of the sermon plea was made in be-
half of our vagrant children, that society
should give back to them their right to
Gods gift of happy and honest life on
earth. 1t was urged that schools of indue-
try should be provided, under the protection
of the public law, wherein the waits may be
trained to become industrious, useful, and
happy citizens in the exercise of the various
crafts of sea and land. A few days there
after young lady placed in my hands the
verses which are printed below, with the re-
mark that she had been thinking of what |
had said. and hoped that others would do
more than think. 1t in furtherance of this
hope that venture, without the writer's
knowledge, to publish the verses, prefaced
by the incident which suggested them.
"There Aoated through the daily press
some time ago touching story of 'Ameri-
Gus, somewhat notorious boy-musician,
who died in Boston. The call came in the
night. The silver cords were broken; and
FROM under the trembling keys came forth
this last note Merciful God, make room
for little fellow Aye, here on earth, as
we'll as there in heaven, make room-make
room, 0 merciful God, for the little fellows |!
But will merciful men make room? Or, is
there no room for these waits and Vsgrants
on the earth which God has given to man
Must they still move on ? And, 0 heaven! !
to what a destiny are they moving on in
thousands To strike a more practical
thought-Could not some one of the Centen-
NAL Buildings, after abandonment, be util-
lied for that purpose? If We are to have a
memorial to art in Memorial Hall, and me-
mortal to nature in Horticultural Hall, why
not memorial 70 man in Industrial Hall /?
The characteristic beneyolence Of this great
city might happily express itself in such q
noble use of th6sa&@ndipgs. Who will be-
gin the work? Your speaker would gladly
consult aud correspond with the philantbrOpic
concerning some scheme looking to this end, "
Make room for the little fellows
In the hearts of our Christian land
Room on the earth that God gave,
For the children of God s own hand
Room for the little ones, Christian,
Room in your heart and mine;
nder their tstters, remember
They bear the image divine.
Often, 0 Father forgive US
We have glanced with thoughtless eye
On their sad, unohidike faces,
And-passed them careessly by
LORD are there none who will love them,
Poor waits of sorrow and s;n2
Open your hearts wide, Christian,
Let the outessts enter in
For ONE who vas onoe wanderer,
With nowhere to lag His head,
Watches His people indifference
To the lambs for whom He bed.
Had be not cared for you, Christian,
Would the Merciful God have made room
For you in the Home Of the BloOd.Washed
Ia the Lard of deathless bloom?
Yes. there is room ioE the children,
And white robes for each to wear;
Room in the Heavenly City
Be it ours to lead them there
Then blessed will be our entrance.
And sweet viii the greeting be:
4" A. We did it unto the least of these,
1e have done it unto Me-"