hearts that they soon returned, were freely received, forgiven, and trusted, and they never ran away again.

More I must not tell you of Wichern's mode of training, but will only mention the fact, that all these twelve boys are now the Christian heads of families, and thorough, earnest, useful members of society.

Generally, employers look with suspicion even upon truly reformed criminals; but in Wichern's case, applications for his "children" were so numerous, that the demand exceeded the supply. Had it been otherwise,-had he been unable to send forth those whom he had rescued and trained into the world under favourable circumstances all his work would have been thrown away. In this, then, we see another aspect of the answer to his prayer of faith.

Many more sought admission to the reformatory than were sufficient to fill up vacancies in the "family" first formed, and at length Wichern determined upon building a new house for the accommodation of another twelve. This was his invariable plan : to form new families, rather than to swell others beyond the limit of a dozen "children," which he had fixed as the largest number which could possibly live together without destroying true home influences.

When the second family was established a new head was wanted, and this was a serious difficulty. But just at the very time a young Swiss, like-minded with Immanuel Wichern, not knowing, however, of the need, came and offered his services-his whole life-to the reformatory. So it has always been: the matter has been left with God, and he has sent proper persons for the work.

To glance at the present condition of this institution: it has now twenty separate houses, a chapel, work-shops, and extensive farms, in which are lodged, fed, and trained at once 110 children, about two-thirds boys, and one-third girls; and also forty "brothers," who act as heads of the twenty families, and are also in course of education to fit them for founding similar institutions in other towns, and in other lands.

Four hundred and fifty-two boys, and one hundred and thirty girls have passed through it: some of these "are not," but those who remain fill, many of them highly honourable, all of them respectable and useful, positions in society. They are scattered over the world; many of them are prosperous Colonists in Australia and America. All these have been reclaimed from the very lowest -in point both of moral and social standing-class of the population; and but for the Rough House would have "filled the prisons, and died in the half-savage state in which it first received them."

But how has it been supported during these nine-and-twenty years? Twenty houses, to say nothing of the chapel and the workshops, cannot be built without materials or money; nor can large farms be purchased for a little; nor can two hundred persons be daily fed at no cost at all. The first principle has been adhered to all along that the institution should depend for support solely upon the unsolicited and spontaneous contributions of its friends. It has been supported by God Himself, in answer to earnest, believing prayer. He has always supplied the needful funds, though sometimes He has not sent them until the very moment they were wanted.

One year a great fire broke out in Hamburg, by which many children were rendered homeless, and, therefore, great additions were made to the number already in the Rough House. It was feared that contributions would fall off considerably, owing to the heavy losses caused by this destructive fire,-just at the time, too, when more were wanted, because of increase of inmates. Worldly wisdom would have suggested to turn a number out, but this would have been to undo the work of years, and to make certain the ruin of the children. Again the matter was left with God, and the contributions from Hamburg itself scarcely fell off, while from other parts they were so largely increased as more than to cover the new expenditure.

To give another instance-In 1843, the lease of the tillage ground ran out, and could not be renewed. The land was an absolute necessity to the institution. A suitable piece, however, was found for sale; but one condition was, that 3,000 crowns of the purchase-money should be paid down. At that time there was not a penny in hand, but as the land was really necessary to the existence of the institution, it was determined that the purchase should at once be made, in reliance upon God that the means would be provided. In a few days, a person ignorant of this brought the information that a lady had bequeathed 3,000 crowns to the reformatory, the exact amount of the deposit-money wanted.

It is no unusual thing for the housekeeper to inform Wichern that there is no money for the day's expenses, but before the day is over a sufficient, or, perhaps, a plentiful supply is sent.

A small portion of the annual revenue of the Rough House is derived from the regular contributions of known friends; part from the produce of the farm; all the clothes, bread, and furniture are made by the boys themselves; but still for by far the greater amount they are dependent upon the usually uncertain and fluctuating supply of casual contributions. But the Lord, for whose glory the work

is undertaken, and in whom they trust for every needful thing, has every year sent them a little more than they have wanted.

If any of my readers wish to know more of this interesting work, which Wichern is still spared to carry on, I would refer them to the book from which, as before stated, I have gathered the foregoing facts.

Coming to the practical bearing of these facts upon ourselves, that is the same as the object of my remarks at the commencement of this paper.

We cannot of ourselves obtain the qualifications necessary to a faithful performance of our Christian duties; but we can ask earnestly of God, and trust Him for them. He will grant them as certainly as He feeds the children of Wichern's reformatory.

We cannot compel others to turn to the Saviour: all our influence is feeble altogether. But we can seek of God that His Holy Spirit shall, even through our efforts, influence the hearts of men, and lead them unto Christ.

We can pray earnestly for the salvation of our friends, of the scholars in our classes, of all for whom we labour, and work dili gently for an answer to our prayers; and work in faith that every such prayer is heard, and will assuredly be answered. That answer shall be given.

It may be thought that such a doctrine will predispose to indolence; all will be left for God to do, we only sitting still and trusting Him. If we cannot do more than pray and trust, God will by no means let us ask in vain; but if we can and will not labour, we cannot truly be sincere, and without sincerity the faith I speak of is quite impossible.

The prayers of a lazy Christian are an abomination to the Lord. When we earnestly desire a blessing, and ask fervently for it, and in the asking our hearts are lifted up into a holy, happy trust, clear vision of our duty in the matter is vouchsafed, and we see that we must do all that is in our power to obtain it, and that through our own endeavours our desire shall certainly be fulfilled.

May God grant unto us all a firm reliance upon His promises in all the glorious fulness of their meaning, and through all our lives to know concerning Him, that "all things, whatsoever we shall ask in prayer believing, we shall receive." Lord, we believe, help Thou our unbelief! W. W.

A PLEA FOR RAGGED "LITTLE ONES."

"Despise them not."

THESE "little ones" ye see around,
In ev'ry street and alley found,

These tender plants that trail the earth;
Because they claim a higher birth,

Despise," despise them not!"

These "little ones," with habits vile,
With vicious look and cunning smile,
So marred with early traits of sin;
Because the life-germ is within,

For this "despise them not!"
These "little ones," with lips so white,
And sunken eyes so strangely bright;
These more than orphans ten times o'er,
O stretch your hand to raise-restore !
In love "despising not."

These "little ones," thy Master-Lord,
By very greatness, could afford

To stoop, in gentle tenderness,

To welcome, touch, embrace and bless,
For He" despised them not."

These "little ones "-these gems so fair,
Hidden, defiled, encrusted there,
May yet come forth all pure and bright,
To live and shine in God's sweet light,
If ye " despise them not."

These "little ones"-within each lie
Such powers, such possibilities,
As He alone who made can see.

For all they are and yet may be,

O then "despise them not."

These "little ones"-Hear! hear the call,
Ye brothers, sisters, parents, all,

To rescue from their hapless fate,

And show these souls so desolate,

These "little ones "-O strive to bring
These nestlings 'neath the Saviour's wing,
Ere full-fledged sin decoys away,

And ye shall find it hard to say,

Ye will" despise them not."

These "little ones"-beyond this earth,
Ye yet may learn their higher worth,
And when ye meet the ransomed throng,
This note of praise will swell the song,
Ye did "despise them not.

A CRAVEN TEACHER.

OUR WORK.

To seek for brightest jewels,
So deeply buried down,

To bring them all with gladness,
To deck the Saviour's crown.

To seek the lambs of Jesus,
Who still in darkness roam,
To find the little wanderers,
And lead them safely home.

To point them to the Saviour,
Who died on Calvary,
To tell them Jesus loves them,
And He their friend will be.

To teach their youthful voices
To sing the Saviour's praise,
And in the love of Jesus
To spend their early days.

To pray, to watch, to labour,
With willing hearts and hands,
And ready to surrender
What duty's call demands.

Then when the work is over,

We shall with Christ sit down

Give to Him all the glory,
Cast at His feet the crown!