ghest
religious motive of a noble self-sacrifice for an unfortunate
fellow-creature. The peculiar warm-heartedness of the Western people,
and the equality of all classes, give them an especial adaptation to
this work, and account for their success.

"'Wherever we went' (we quote from his account) 'we found the children
sitting at the same table with the families, going to the school with
the children, and every way treated as well as any other children. Some
whom we had seen once in the most extreme misery, we beheld sitting,
clothed and clean, at hospitable tables, calling the employer, father,'
loved by the happy circle, and apparently growing up with as good hopes
and prospects as any children in the country. Others who had been in the
city on the very line between virtue and vice, and who at any time might
have fallen into crime, we saw pursuing industrial occupations, and
gaining a good name for themselves in their village. The observations on
this journey alone would have rewarded years of labor for this class.
The results--so far as we could ascertain them--were remarkable, and,
unless we reflect on the wonderful influences possible from a Christian
home upon a child unused to kindness, they would almost seem
incredible.

"'The estimate we formed from a considerable field of observation was,
that, out of those sent to the West under fifteen years, not more than
_two per cent._ turned out bad; and, even of those from fifteen to
eighteen, not more than _four per cent._'

"The former estimate is nearly the same as one forwarded to us since by
an intelligent clergyman of Michigan (Rev. Mr. Gelston, of Albion), of
the result in his State. Of course, some of the older boys disappear
entirely; some few return to the city; but it may generally be assumed
that we hear of the worst cases--that is, of those who commit criminal
offenses, or who come under the law--and it is these whom we reckon as
the failures. One or two of such cases, out of hundreds in a given
district who are doing well, sometimes make a great noise, and give a
momentary impression that the work is not coming out well there; and
there are always a few weak-minded people who accept such rumors without
examination. Were the proportion of failures far greater than it is, the
work would still be of advantage to the West, and a rich blessing to the
city.

"It is also remarkable, as years pass away, how few cases ever come to
the knowledge of the Society,