. Calame believed herself called to form an
institution for orphans and unfortunate children. She associated some
others with her for this object, but having peculiar views on religious
subjects, and more perseverance than her colleagues, she was soon left
nearly alone, with means entirely inadequate to the increasing demands,
viz., about three francs yearly from a very limited number of persons. The
children daily augmented, and she dared not refuse admission: when in
necessity she was encouraged to trust from unexpected donations. This
increased her faith; and after some years, a boys' school was added. In
this way the institution has been supported without any regular funds.
Her faith is still often very severely tried, but they have never yet been
suffered to want. Her refuge in times of extremity is prayer, and it has
been in some instances very evidently answered, so that she has severely
reproached herself for daring to doubt. In speaking on this subject she
said to me: "I am at times much beset with temptations when I consider the
number I have thus collected without any visible or certain means of
support; but how can I dare to doubt after so many proofs of the care of
the great Master? He knows our wants; he knows these dear children have
need of food and clothing, and he provides it for them; and he knows that
all I desire is to do his will."
On remarking to her the sweet tranquillity and order which reign in these
schools, she said, "It is the Master's work; they are taught to love him
above all, and to do all for his sake." We felt very nearly united to her
and to an intimate friend who resides with her: they are both what are
called deeply interior characters, and have long withdrawn from the places
of public worship, but fully unite with our views.
She is really a very extraordinary character, extremely simple and
cheerful in her manners, possessing great natural talents, and evincing in
her conducting of the institution, not only the Spirit, but the
understanding also.--(_To Elizabeth Dudley, 2 mo. 7, 1828._)
With Locle, John and Martha Yeardley's mission to Switzerland for this
time terminated. They crossed the frontier into France, and made the best
of their way through that country, in order to proceed to the Channel
Islands.
This morning (2 mo. 5,) writes J.Y., Mary Anne Calame and her friend
Zimmerling, with A. Borel, accompanied us two leagues to the ferry, and
saw us safe over into Fr
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