ccept its regulations while they remain. They have to
pass through all practical duties of house-work, and care of the sick
and children. They also pursue practical and theoretical courses in
hygiene, and receive lessons in singing and pedagogics. The chaplains of
the institution give them courses of religious instruction, and lectures
on Church history. Some (the larger number) need very elementary
lessons; others come with a good education. Each is directed according
to her education and experience. In fact, all classes are represented
among the deaconesses; servants, teachers, ladies, and shepherdesses.
They come from different parts of France, but in larger numbers from the
South.

Deaconesses are constantly in demand to go out in the city as nurses in
private families. Such requests often meet with refusals, because
sisters cannot be spared for such duties. Their work is limited by the
smallness of their numbers. The last report gives sixty deaconesses
attached to the Home on the Rue de Reuilly.

The work is upon sterile soil as compared to Germany. The Protestants of
France are in a small minority, surrounded by an overwhelming majority
of Catholics; while in the beginning of the work some influential
members of the Protestant faith, having an inadequate comprehension of
the good in the movement, and a misconception of its plans, exerted a
powerful influence that for awhile told adversely to the cause. The home
has now passed beyond the stage when it can be affected by adverse
criticisms; and it to-day not only has the approbation of Christians,
but also of those who regard it solely from the point of view of
philanthropy.[51]

There are but two parish deaconesses who are at work in Belleville and
Ste. Marie. The directors of the institution would be glad to increase
the number, as they regard the work of the sisters under the direction
of the city pastors as that which presents the widest opportunities for
doing good, while it perpetuates those aspects of the deaconess work
which most closely resemble those of the early Church. But Calvin's
reply from Geneva to the Church of France is theirs. When petitioned to
send more pastors over the boundary into France he replied, "Send us
wood and we will send you arrows." So the want of deaconesses is a
continual hinderance to the furtherance of the cause, both in the city
and the provinces.

The prisons for women in France are under the supervision of women, save
th