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Little Meg's children was published in 1868, a year after the immensely popular Jessica's first prayer by the same author. In these books, and others such as Alone in London, Hesba Stretton was the originator of a whole school of writing about poor homeless orphans or waifs, rescued from poverty and vice by a benevolent (usually middle-class and evangelical) Samaritan. In them she writes movingly about the plight of the "street arab", a subject on which she felt very strongly.
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The story of a motherless little girl's struggle to look after her two younger siblings, sustained only by her childlike faith in God, Little Meg's children could have been mawkish and sentimental. But Hesba Stretton's touch is sure and her descriptions of the dreadful living conditions of the slums ring true, without sensationalism. Little Meg herself is an appealing and believable child, not a precocious two-dimensional figure discoursing eloquently on matters of faith, and her love for her 'children' is touching.
It was a wan, sickly baby, with an old face, closely resembling Meg's own, and meagre limbs, which looked as if they would never gain strength enough to bear the weight of the puny body; but from time to time a smile kindled suddenly upon the thin face, and shone out of the serious eyes--a smile so sweet, and unexpected, and fleeting, that Meg could only rush at her, and catch her in her arms, thinking there was not such another baby in the world.
Unlike so many other writers of religious works for children, Hesba Stretton is able to communicate her message simply, clearly and convincingly, through Meg's own childish faith.
I didn't ask God to let baby live, because mother said she'd like to take her with her. But I did ask him to make Robin well, and bring back Posy; and now there's nothing for him to do but let father come home. I knew it was all true; it's in the Bible, and if I'm not one of God's own children, it says, 'them that ask him.' So I asked him.
Page created 27 November 2002 and last
updated 17 December 2002
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