beginning of the work, threatened to overwhelm it, has watched
over us and upheld us, and has so richly blessed us." The acquisition of
this house came through the work of the sisters. One of them was caring
for an aged widow, whose sympathies were so won that she offered to give
her property, amounting to about ten thousand marks, to the deaconess
society, asking only that she be cared for for the remainder of her
life. This sum enabled the house to be built, and last summer it was
opened for use. It lies upon a mountain, has a pleasant outlook to the
south, and a beautiful view over the valley of the Main and off to the
distant forests. Near at hand is a grove of chestnut trees, and farther
removed are extensive pine forests with pleasant walks. The house is in
the charge of one of the older sisters.

The regulations touching the training and duties of the sisters are
similar to those of Kaiserswerth. Two years of probation are required,
part of which is devoted to practical work under the superintendence of
an older deaconess. The rules of daily life are much the same; a quiet
half hour of prayer and meditation is strongly urged, and the same
freedom in control of personal property and withdrawal from the office
exists. It is pleasant to record that our deaconesses have secured to
themselves such good report for their usefulness that the city officials
in Germany accord to them the free use of steamboats and street-cars;
and the Prussian government does the same for roads that are under State
control.

The Bethany Society of the German Methodists is self-supporting and is
independent of the Conference, save only that the board of direction is
composed of Methodist preachers chosen by the Conference. Each of the
homes at the five stations has also its board of control, made up of the
inspector, the pastor in charge, and the head sister. The inspector is a
member of the Conference, but has no appointment, as his whole time is
devoted to the duty of superintendence. Last year the society took the
further step of deciding that henceforth the deaconesses should not be
sent, as heretofore, to outside hospitals or other institutions to
complete their training, but should be given the advantages they require
at our own homes. Owing to this decision only six probationers can be
received for the coming year, and others who have made application to
enter must wait their turn.

The German Methodist Church, the daughter of Ame