rvice." At that time there were thirteen deaconesses and
twenty probationers. The last report, issued in July, 1888, shows an
increase in numbers both of deaconesses and their stations. There are
now eighty-nine deaconesses, eleven of whom are probationers, and there
are stations in five places. Besides the ones previously mentioned in
Germany, two additional stations have been started in Switzerland: one
in Zuerich, and one in St. Gall.

Nearly all the Methodist German deaconesses are engaged in caring for
the sick; it is only recently that attempts have been made in some other
directions of charitable endeavor. In the last report we are told that
at Frankfort steps have been taken to reform fallen women. One of the
sisters seems to be especially endowed with tact and ability for this
difficult work. She has already induced twenty-two of these girls to
enter the asylum at Sachsenhausen. The police authorities and city
magistrates have given this same sister access to the women prisoners,
which is a decided favor, coming from German officials. Besides her work
in this particular, she has devoted her remaining time to the care of
the poor and the sick.

Many deaconesses were called upon to go out as nurses in private
families, and, in order to obtain room to accommodate the added number
these services required, it has been necessary to rent an additional
house. There are two clinics in connection with the institution; one for
those suffering from nose, throat, or lung diseases, the other for
diseases of women. In both, the hours of consultation are free, and
attract numerous visitors. Two hundred and forty-six people were
received in the hospital last year, and were cared for in four thousand
one hundred and fifty days of nursing. Spiritual results are also
anticipated from the seed of God's word sown in the hearts of the sick
through daily prayer and Sunday services.

The house at Frankfort is too small for its increasing needs, and a
permanent home of more ample dimensions is greatly to be desired.

In Hamburg the house has been enlarged, and there is now room for
thirty-five sisters; yet still there are more demands made than can be
met. In one month ninety requests were handed in for the aid of the
deaconesses. The city authorities offered them a large lot of land at a
very moderate sum, which is at present used as a garden, and adds much
to the enjoyment of the home.

On the 4th of March, 1888, occurred the ann