ibly be
dispensed with.

The child is potential energy, the father of the future man, and the
future state; and the children of this country are integral,
determining factors in the future of this Mission. The children who
are turned out to order by institutions seem sadly deficient, both in
ability to cope with life and in the humanities. The "home" system, as
at Quarrier's in Scotland, is a striking contrast, and personally I
shall vote for the management of orphanages on home lines every time.
This is not a concession to Dickens, whose pictures of Bumble I hope
and believe apply only to the dark ages in which Dickens lived; but
historically they are not yet far enough removed for me to advocate
Government orphanages, though our Government schools are an advance
on Dotheboys Hall.

The human body is the result of physical causes; breeding tells as
surely as it does in dogs or cows, and the probability of defects in
the offspring of poverty and of lust is necessarily greater than in
well-bred, well-fed, well-environed children. The proportion of
mentally and morally deficient children that come to us absolutely
demonstrates this fact; and the love needed to see such children
through to the end is more comprehensive than the mere sentiment of
having a child in the home, and infinitely more than the desire to
have the help which he can bring.

The Government allows us fifty-two dollars a year toward the expense
of a child whose father is dead; nothing if the mother is dead, or if
the father is alive but had better be dead. It would be wiser if each
case could be judged on its merits by competent officials. But we
believe it is a blessing to a community to have the opportunity of
finding the balance.

Tested by its output and the returns to the country, our orphanage has
amply justified itself. One new life resultant from the outlay of a
few dollars would class the investment as gilt-edged if graded merely
in cash. The community which sows a neglected childhood reaps a
whirlwind in defective manhood.

In view of these facts--to leave out of consideration my earnest
personal desire--there can never be any question in my mind as to the
imperative necessity of the Mission's continuance of the work for
derelict children. This conclusion seems to me safeguarded by the fact
that all nations are placing increasing emphasis on "the child in the
midst of them."

When Solomon chose wisdom as the gift which he most desired,