, their sweet songs
keeping time with the stroke of the oar--all this was a bit of fairy land
to a childhood of so few pleasures. Then the evening of the Fourth of
July spent on the roof of the Mission House, enjoying the display of
fireworks, and singing patriotic songs. One kind friend makes a winter
evening marvellous to childish eyes by the varied scenes, historic,
scriptural, poetic, of the magic lantern."

If the Mission did no more than give these little ones a warm shelter
during the day, and provide for them such pleasures as cakes,
doll-babies, excursions, and magic lanterns, it would still be doing a
noble work, for these children are dwellers in the Five Points, a
locality where pleasure is almost unknown. The Mission does more,
however, it educates the children; it provides them with the clothes they
wear, and gives each child a lunch at midday. It also gives clothing,
bedding and food to the parents of the children where they need it. It
is provided with a tasteful chapel, in which religious services are held
on Sunday and during the week. The Sunday-school is large, and provides
religious instruction for the attendants. A "Free Library and
Reading-room" has been opened in the basement, for the use of all who
will avail themselves of it. It is open every night, and it is well
patronized by the adult population of the vicinity. The homeless and
friendless, who are simply unfortunate, are sheltered, as far as the
accommodations will permit, and are provided with homes and employment.
The work of the Mission, apart from its schools, for the year ending May
1st, 1871, is thus summed up by the Secretary: "The following statistics
do not include coal nor medicine, which are very considerable items: 5197
pieces of clothing, including pairs of shoes and bed-quilts, have been
distributed from the wardrobes, and 1293 through the office, making a
total of 6490; 122,113 rations of food have been given to the needy; 4
infants have been adopted; 66 children have been provided with homes; and
119 adults have been sent to places of employment."

The Treasurer states that during the same period $3004 were given away in
"direct charities."

The _Five Points House of Industry_ is situated on Worth street,
diagonally opposite the _Home Mission_. It consists of two large brick
edifices, covering an area about 100 feet square. This Mission was begun
by the Rev. L. M. Pease, the same gentleman who was in charge of t