fate of every man who rises above the ordinary level of humanity, who aims higher, and whose perseverance brings great undertakings to perfection. Even from his own colleagues, he at first experienced much ill-will; but in the end all gladly acknowledged that he had been in the right. Since 1715 he had been appointed pastor of the parish of St Ulrich in Halle, and dwelt in his parsonage, close to the church. The income he received for this post was so small that it scarcely sufficed for the barest necessaries; still though in straitened circumstances, he lived contented and happy. In 1694 he had married Anna Magdalena von Wurm. The union was a very happy one, and was blessed by the birth of a son and daughter. The former, Gotthilf Augustus, born 1696, was afterwards archdeacon of St Mary's Church in Halle, director of his father's institutions, professor of theology, and church inspector. His daughter married John Anastasius Freglinghausen, who succeeded his father-in-law in his pastorate, and in the direction of the orphanage.

Francke was all his life of a kind and amiable disposition. His manner, however, was somewhat serious and reserved. "All that he said," observes one of his friends, "seemed to come as from God; and whatever people he was with, he always reverenced God, as the highest Person in the company, and allowed nothing to turn him away from His countenance." To restore his health, which was impaired by over exertions and extraordinary activity, he made, at

the entreaties of his physician, two long journeys, the first in 1705 to Holland, the second, 1717, to Swabia. He was also twice at the Court of Frederick William I., in whose favour he stood very high till his death.

In 1725 his strength began to fail; next year a paralytic stroke rendered his left hand helpless, but in the spring he so far recovered that he was once more able to preach to his people. He ended with the words, "Now depart hence, and may the Lord bless you for ever, and throughout eternity." This, without his suspecting it, was his farewell to his flock. On 24th May 1727, he was driven for the last time into the orphanage garden; here in a fervent prayer he implored the Divine blessing on his institutions, which had become so dear to him, and thanked the Lord for the great mercy and grace bestowed upon him. Now his sufferings increased considerably; his condition was soon hopeless, and on the evening of June 8th, peaceful and resigned to the will of God, he gently fell asleep. He was buried in the cemetery of the town, where his wife, who followed him to the grave in 1734, erected a monument to his memory, with a long inscription in poetry.

A hundred years after his death, the idea of erecting to the man who had deserved so well of his native place, a worthy monument within his institutions, was formed by Mellin, burgermaster of Halle. A statue, modelled by the famous sculptor Rauch, was placed in the largest courtyard of the orphanage, and unveiled with much ceremony on 5th November 1829,

the anniversary of the day in which Francke had received the first four orphans. On the pedestal, which is of grey Silesian marble, the following inscription is engraved in front:

At the back we read the simple words:

"To the Founder of these Institutions, the grateful posterity.”

Francke is represented in a preacher's gown; on either side of him are two children of different ages. His left hand rests in blessing, on the head of a little orphan girl, in a praying attitude, whom with his uplifted right hand, he is pointing upwards to the Father in heaven. The boy with a book under his arm has a more self-confident look, but with childlike reverence he gazes too at Francke. The object of Francke's institutions, education and instruction, is here admirably typified. Those whom he so unspeakably loved, and to whom he was both father and teacher, surround the generous man. Their look of gratitude is the never-to-be-forgotten philanthropist's reward. He who sows love, will reap love.

Francke always attributed his wonderful success to special answers to prayer. Two similar instances may

here be cited of cases which have occurred in our own day-one in England, the other in France; one a Pro

testant minister, the other a Roman Catholic priest; one still living among us, the other taken to his rest; both firm believers in the efficacy of prayer.

George Müller was born in 1805, near Halberstadt, in Germany. After studying theology he went to England, with the intention of devoting himself to missions. In 1830 he became a preacher to a congregation of Dissenters, connected with no particular sect, at Teignmouth, where he married a wife who, like himself, possessed no fortune. In 1832 he removed to Bristol, where he worked as an evangelist among the poor, and where he became deeply affected by the sad condition of the numerous orphans, whose parents had been carried off by the cholera.

Towards the end of 1834, the thought came upon him, that he would assemble these unfortunate children around him and ask God confidently every day for the means to support them. Then he set to work, leased a house in Wilson Street, and there established thirty little girls, of from seven to twelve years of age; that was in May 1836.

Soon after he founded an asylum for little children of both sexes up to the age of seven; for this he had to hire a second house in the same street, which was filled by thirty children, then in October 1837, having taken a third house in Wilson Street, he placed in it thirty boys above the age of seven. By the end of this year, he had to provide for the maintenance of ninety persons, and the furniture alone had cost him large sums; his faith had been often and rudely tried,

but the Divine blessing visibly rested upon his labours. He had never published an appeal or circulated a subscription list, he had never asked help except from God, and never incurred a debt, paying ready money for everything.

In 1843 a fourth house was leased in the same street, and received thirty children. The number of orphans was now 120; with the masters and servants there were from 140 to 150 persons to be maintained daily. Three physicians gratuitously attended to the sick. The receipts and expenditure of the orphans amounted to more than £12,500; the schools and distribution of Bibles cost about £4800. There were besides, from the commencement of the work, several hundred day-scholars, an evening adult class, and a Sunday school. During the years 1846-47 everything was terribly dear, provisions had risen to nearly double their usual price, and everybody in Bristol was asking how George Müller would manage to maintain his orphans; but his receipts increased in proportion to his need, and the work continued as before. Müller said himself, "My children never wanted anything, but my faith was often put to the proof, and I passed through moments of great agony." Such a large number of children taking the air and exercise in the street, must naturally annoy the inhabitants; Müller felt this, although no one had ever complained about it. He decided, therefore, if God granted him the means, to build an orphanage, which would contain 300 children. The expenses were