ied
and proved, and he can only be an unsuccessful Christian worker who does
not make the Word of God the rule and guide of his life. To Agnes Jones
the Bible was a constant study. She was a most earnest student of God's
Word, and delighted to meditate upon it. In her journal she
writes:--"What should I be without my Bible?" And again, realising the
truth of the promise, "He that watereth shall be watered also himself,"
she says:--"God's Word often comes home more strongly to my own heart as
I read to the poor, and try to make a few simple remarks." Little wonder
is it that, knowing and loving His Word as she did, Christ was to her a
very personal Saviour and Friend. Her one longing was for more and more
likeness to Him.

CHAPTER III.

FOREIGN TRAINING.

However strong and good our wishes may be, it is never safe to force on
their accomplishment. They are never the losers who wait God's time, and
the wisest course of all is the one which Agnes Jones pursued, of
telling her wishes to God, and then, in perfect submission to His will,
leaving the issue with Him.

It was not until seven years after her visit to Kaiserswerth that the
way was made open for her to return there. This step had been suggested
by her mother five years previously, but the filial spirit was so strong
in her that, although she eagerly desired a more thorough training for
God's service, she felt that her mother stood first, and refused to
leave her alone. Now the case was different, and she gladly seized the
opportunity. Still she was nervously fearful lest after all she should
not be following the guiding pillar.

It was in the autumn of 1860 that she arrived at Kaiserswerth, where she
immediately entered heartily into the work. Her intention was to stay
for only a month, or at the most six weeks; but after she had been there
but a short time, the pastor so strongly represented the great advantage
it would be to her to spend the whole winter in the institution, that
she felt constrained to write for her mother's permission to do so. As
ever, she was full of prayer for God's guidance, and that whatever was
done might be only for His glory. Her mother leaving the choice entirely
with her, she decided to remain, believing that the training would be
of inestimable use to her in her future work.

The Deaconesses' Institution at Kaiserswerth had a very small beginning.
Pastor Fliedner, having heard of Mrs. Fry's work amongst female
prisoners,