es. She
showed me several papers which she carefully preserved in a basket.
One was a certificate from a physician--another from the person who
had employed her husband. As she opened her trunk I observed its
contents were nicely folded and arranged, as if she had a love of
order. She told me she was able to do nothing but sew and could not
procure much of that.

After the children came in, they combed their hair, and braided it,
and washed their hands and faces.

I inquired if the children could read. Ellen got her "Easy Lessons,"
and came and stood by my side while she read in it. Mary Ann read very
well in her geography, and Joanna in some "Reading Lessons" which she
had used at school. I asked them if they could write.

"I can," replied Mary Ann. "I can write my name, or I could your's if
I knew it."

I gave each of the children a piece of silver. They immediately handed
it, with a bright smile, to their mother. I told them I would call
again and see them some time, but I could not do it often. When I bade
them good-by, they all followed me to the door, and looked so pleased
and happy that I felt amply repaid for my long walk. I had gone but a
few steps, when Mary Ann came bounding along, and asked, "When will
you come to see us again?" I took her hand, and we walked together to
the next street.

There are many children as destitute as these little girls, and many,
very many, who have not even a feeble mother to care for them. Many
poor children are sent out to gather the coal from the streets, or
bits of wood where new buildings are being erected, and their bread
they beg from door to door.

In some of our cities benevolent people have opened schools for these
miserable children, where they are taught to sew and read, and to
observe to some extent the decencies and proprieties of life. In some,
a dinner is given to its pupils, and, where it is possible, a home for
the homeless in the country.

Children often save a part of their money for missionary or other
benevolent purposes. I cannot conceive a more suitable object for
their benefactions than other children who are poor and destitute. "It
is more blessed to give than to receive," the Bible tells us.

I hope you do not forget to thank God for the comforts and happiness
of home, which you enjoy; and I hope, also, that you will not forget
that we have the poor with us always, and must do them all the good in
our power.

"Have pity on them, for the