souls and bodies of all whom we can reach." It may be added, that the
prime object of the Mission is to care for neglected and abused children,
whether orphans or not, and also for the children of honest and
struggling poverty. It further undertakes to aid and comfort the sick,
to furnish food, shelter, and clothing to the destitute, to procure work
for the unemployed, and to impart intellectual, moral, and religious
instruction to all who are willing to receive it.

"Our field," says Mr. Van Meter, "is the very concentration of all evil
and the headquarters of the most desperate and degraded representatives
of many nations. It swarms with poor little helpless victims, who are
born in sin and shame, nursed in misery, want, and woe, and carefully
trained to all manner of degradation, vice, and crime. The _packing_ of
these poor creatures is incredible. In this ward there are less than two
dwelling houses for each low rum hole, gambling house, and den of infamy.
Near us, on a small lot, but 150 by 240 feet, are twenty tenant houses,
111 families, 5 stables, a soap and candle factory, and a tan yard. On
four blocks, close to the Mission, are 517 children, 318 Roman Catholic
and 10 Protestant families, 35 rum holes, and 18 brothels. In No. 14
Baxter street, but three or four blocks from us, are 92 families,
consisting of 92 men, 81 women, 54 boys and 53 girls. Of these, 151 are
Italians, 92 Irish, 28 Chinese, 3 English, 2 Africans, 2 Jews, 1 German,
and but 7 Americans.

"Our work," he says, "is chiefly with the children. These are divided
into three classes, consisting of, I. Those placed under our care to be
sent to homes and situations. II. Those whom we are not authorized to
send to homes, but who need a temporary shelter until their friends can
provide for them or surrender them to us. These two classes remain day
and night in the Mission. III. Those who have homes or places in which
to sleep. These enjoy the benefits of the wardrobe, dining and school
rooms, but do not sleep in the Mission.

"Food, fuel and clothing are given to the poor, after a careful
inspection of their condition. Mothers leave their small children in the
day nursery during the day while they go out to work. The sick are
visited, assisted, and comforted. Work is sought for the unemployed. We
help the poor to help themselves.

"The children over whom we can get legal control are placed in carefully
selected Christian families,