almost all others, is embarrassed with debts or deficits. Such a good work should, at least, not be obliged to struggle with the problem of keeping the wolf from the door. May the memory of the Shepherd who laid down his life for the flock, and who charges his disciples, "Feed my sheep: feed my lambs," move every hand and heart to help!

The Asylum at Düsselthal is well-known to many Christian philanthropists in Great Britain. Through the liberal co-operation of an English lady, Count Von der Recke, its founder, was enabled to purchase about four hundred acres of woodland, in 1836. The lady may have been Miss Murray, (who has resided at Düsselthal several years, and contributed towards the institution), or some other benefactor.

"The directors of the asylum, at all events, thankfully remember the liberal gifts, which, for a succession of several years, poured in on them through the zealous activity of their friend, Miss Mary Aikman, Edinburgh, whose much-lamented death in 1856 was a real loss to the establishment.

"The Düsselthal Asylum is one of the oldest, if not the oldest establishment of this kind in Germany. Long before Wichern. originated his Rauhe Haus, and Fliedner called the attention of the German Christians to the important home-mission labors of the Deaconesses, Count Von der Recke had taken the poor, neglected, and abandoned children by the hand, to lead them to their heavenly Friend, and to shelter, feed, and clothe them in his name. He had begun his work as early as the year 1816. Germany then swarmed with vagabond families. The long succession of bloody wars, which had devastated the Continent under the iron rod of the French conqueror, had ruined thousands of households. Vast was the multitude of widows and orphans, whose husbands and fathers had found their death through the fire of the enemy, or in the cold snows of Russia. A young generation of swindlers, thieves, highway robbers, and malefactors of every kind, was springing up in consequence. The back streets, lanes, and closes of the large towns were crowded with them. The public roads were unsafe, the prisons were over-peopled. What was to be done to stem the current of this pernicious flood, nobody could tell. Count

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less sums in the shape of alms were every day thrown out in order to dam it up; but instead of draining off, or staying,' the alarming stream somewhat, they only seemed to swell it into a deluge. It then became clear to those who had studied the great pauper-question, that mere almsgiving was the worst of all remedies."

The evil was not in the pockets nor in the stomachs of these wretched people: it was in their hearts. The maxim of the Master, Make the tree good, and the fruit will be good, was wisely remembered. To bring these unhappy, ignorant, and neglected persons under the breath of the gospel, was the only way of turning thistles and thorns into good fruitbearing trees. There was little hope of the adult and aged; but the children and youth promised greater success. Of eighty thousand convicts in the prisons of Prussia in those days, one tenth (eight thousand) were minors; besides, perhaps twice that number outside were on their way to the same sad fate. Total ruin, to some minds, appeared impending over the realm.

"Among the few who not only lamented over the plague, but resolved by the power of Christ to try to cure it, was Count Von der Recke. He lived at Overdyk, his estate, a comparatively small house, surrounded by a few acres of ground, near Düsseldorf in Rhenish Prussia. . . . He commenced by boarding out a few children with respectable families in the neighborhood. He soon found that it was impossible to continue this system. The children had been too much neglected, both as to their bodies and souls, to be proper objects of ordinary domestic care and training. Instead of being morally improved by contact with the families, they threatened rather to spoil the young people, and to infect them with morbid diseases."

An unoccupied seminary for teachers, in the neighborhood, with his father's consent and co-operation, was converted into an asylum for neglected orphans and children of vagabonds and convicts, under the title of the "Redemption Establishment." Aware that his own means would not be sufficient to support such an institution, he published a circular, in which he described his plan, and declared himself

prepared to receive neglected children as a father, "looking up to the Almighty God who clothes the lilies and feeds the ravens." The house was solemnly opened on the 19th of November, 1819. It was evening. In silence, the Count, lantern in hand, led his first three children up the little hill towards the asylum. They carried the fuel. The teacher followed with the Bibles and hymn-books. The housekeeper bore the bread, &c., for supper and breakfast. "Having entered the orphan-house," relates the Count, "we walked in procession through all its apartments, singing, and praising God. We set apart each room to its purpose. Then we knelt down, and besought that the labor might result to his glory." The prayerful tears and deep emotion of one little fellow particularly strengthened the joy and faith of the whole company, and augured well for the future.

In eleven months, the pupils amounted to sixty boys and girls. The circular met with a cheerful response from all Christian hearts. Apart from his highly respected name, the object itself was a sufficient recommendation for general sympathy. His circular was an answer, as pleasing as unexpected, to the question of thousands, What is to be done to prevent the overthrow of society by the imminent Vandalism of pauperism? Contributions poured in, in large profusion.

"The donations in 1820 were nearly two thousand, and the expenses about fifteen hundred, dollars. The king granted freedom of postage, and promised further support, which was afterwards given. In 1822, the pupils numbered one hundred and thirty. Private board was again tried for a few of the girls, but soon for ever abandoned. There was not a suitable supply of good water; and, on all accounts, a better and healthier location must be sought. Two miles distant, an old abbey, called Düsselthal, promised to answer. The price was 38,500 dollars. This was entirely beyond his means. The Count addressed himself to Heaven as his banker. A noble lady unexpectedly offered 2,725 dollars: other gifts soon followed. Money was procured on a mortgage; and in June, 1822, the Count led twenty-four boys and twenty girls to the new place, his father remaining in charge of the hundred and odd pupils left in the old building.

"The Count's attention had some time before been drawn to the distressing condition of the Jews. He loved that old people of God. There were two separate little houses, outside the gate, but within the precincts of the abbey."

He opened them, for the shelter and instruction of a Hebrew colony. Great favor followed the scheme. From 1822 to 1828, one hundred and five joined the family, and were chiefly aided from Great Britain. On account of the excessive expenses, and the difficulty of dealing with adults, the colony was changed into an asylum for Jewish children. New wants arose on all sides: new liabilities must be incurred. Prayer to God, appeals to man, were the only means at the Count's command. Marvellous were the effects that followed them. A Girl's House was erected in 1823. The next year, the king assumed a large part of the debt created by it. Still there was a heavy deficit. A periodical, "The Friend of Man," was tried. Krummacher published his excellent work, "The little Dove," in aid of the asylum. In 1826, a new Boys' House was added. Two hundred children now rejoiced in this home. The various buildings formed quite a village. An adjoining estate of one hundred and fifty acres was purchased, in 1838, with no prospect of paying nearly twelve thousand dollars, -its cost. Providence continued to raise up friends on all sides, however. Of course, besides the constant debts, accidents and losses would sometimes come. The immense concern, heavy enough for ten men, had rested solely upon its founder. After thirty years of trial, the Count's health gave way, and he was obliged to transfer the work to stronger hands. The king and other friends came to his relief. A board of twelve curators was formed. The Count was made honorary president; and an excellent director, or superintendent, was found in Mr. Georgi. From the commencement to 1845, 1,012 children had been received; of whom 836 were restored to society.

Christian Frederic Georgi, the head of the asylum from 1847 to his death in 1861, was one of those servants of God who are trained in the school of suffering for the work which their heavenly Master has for them to do. He came to

the asylum at a most critical moment, and soon proved strong and skilful enough for the emergency. Reared in poverty, tried in adversity, and sustained by religion, he had already won the regards and confidence of the friends of popular Christian education, as a common country school-master. Higher positions were offered him, and the asylum at length secured him. "Düsselthal is saved," cried a friend when he heard of the appointment; "but Georgi and his wife will pay for it with their lives." New and better regula tions were put upon paper; but the work was to be done by one man. Mr. Georgi commenced with courage and energy. One hundred and twenty pupils was not a large number, but their intellectual and moral condition was alarming. They had sunk to a low pitch during the last two years. More helping and guiding hands were needed: the finances would not bear the strain. In sighs and tears, distressed and almost in despair, the worthy man and his noble spouse looked to Heaven, and were comforted and strengthened. No better people could have been found. In twelve months, the establishment was reduced to perfect order. Abuses were corrected or removed. Economy was introduced into every department. Debts were paid off, and the receipts began to exceed the expenditures. The children rose from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and seventy. In 1851, a fearful fire destroyed some important buildings, and threatened others. The element was checked: Christian love came to the help of the asylum. But debts again began to increase. Mr. Georgi kept his heart up. Circulars and publications were tried again: collectors sallied forth, and the superintendent tock the field in person. In three years, new buildings were raised; and the whole debt, contracted for them, was cleared off. With three hundred pupils, Düsselthal reported itself in advance each year. In 1855, most serious harm was inflicted by a terrible hail-storm. Mr. Georgi's contrite submission did not degenerate into passive inaction. Repairs were immediately commenced. It seemed impossible to get through the winter; "but we got through, for the Lord is great," he was able to cry. Praying and working, how could he fail?