resounded with the groans of the dying. Then the doors were locked,
and for twelve months more remained as before. Then they were again
opened, and on a gloomy winter's evening, with one candle the vast
unlighted dwelling was again entered. The little company included R.
C. Morgan, Charles Dobbin, and Henry Blair, of the Madras Civil
Service, whose interest in the work now begun, only ended with his
death. Through the kindness of these friends the building was
secured, and the rent promised, but then a new difficulty arose. It
had been hoped that Mr. Holland, who had first suggested the effort
to secure the building, would have been willing to undertake the
charge, but the work at George Yard was too dear to be given up. And
now, who would bear this burden? It could hardly be believed that any
woman would undertake the responsibility, for women had not then been
called forward in this country so prominently as they now are. Here
may be seen something of the Lord's purpose in having permitted Miss
Macpherson's voyage to New York. In that city she had seen the faith
and courage the Lord had given to women to "attempt great things"
_for Him_, and the day is well remembered when many prayers were
answered that she would accept the post. It is a post far advanced
into the enemy's territory, for the adjoining streets are known as
the "Thieves' Quarter." Three thousand, it is supposed, have their
headquarters here. In the square mile in the midst of which the
Refuge, (now called "Home of Industry"), is situated, 120,000 of our
poorest population are to be found. From the first Mr. and Mrs. Merry
gave themselves as willing and invaluable helpers to the enormous
work connected with the undertaking. It appeared great from the
beginning, but little could any one have imagined how it would go on
spreading and increasing. It is difficult, or it may be impossible,
to name any form of distress or any class which has not been here
relieved and blessed. Every hour of the day, and even far on into the