“About thirty neglected little ones from the lanes and alleys around the mission were found at the schoolroom door at the appointed hour.  But when admitted, very few of them had any idea of the purpose for which they were collected.  The efforts of the teacher to seat them proved a failure.  The idea among them seemed to be that each should take some part in amusing the company.  One would jump from the back of a bench upon which he had been seated, while others were creeping about the floor; another, who deemed himself a proficient in turning somersaults, would be trying his skill in this way, while his neighbor, equally ambitious, would show the teacher how he could stand on his head.  Occasionally they would pause and listen to the singing of a hymn or the reading of a little story; then all would be confusion again; and thus the morning wore away.  The first session having closed, the teacher retired to her home, feeling that a repetition of the scenes through which she had passed could scarcely be endured.

“Two o’clock found her again at the door, and the children soon gathered around her.  Upon entering the schoolroom, most of them were induced to be seated, and a hymn was sung which they had learned in the Sabbath-school.  When it was finished, the question was asked, ‘Shall we pray?’ With one accord they answered, ‘Yes.’  ’And will you be quiet?’ They replied in the affirmative.  All were then requested to be silent and cover their faces.  In this posture they remained until the prayer was closed; and after resuming their seats, for some minutes order was preserved.  This was the only encouraging circumstance of the day.

“For many weeks a stranger would scarcely have recognized a school in this disorderly gathering which day after day met in the old gloomy building.  Very many difficulties which we may not name were met and conquered.  Fights were of common occurrence.  A description of one may give the reader an idea of what came frequently under our notice.

“A rough boy about fourteen years of age, over whom some influence had been gained, was chosen monitor one morning; and as he was a leader in all the mischief, it was hoped that putting him upon his honor would assist in keeping order.  Talking aloud was forbidden.  For a few minutes matters went on charmingly, until some one, tired of the restraint, broke silence.  The monitor, feeling the importance of his position, and knowing of but one mode of redress, instantly struck him a violent blow upon the ear, causing him to scream with pain.  In a moment the school was a scene of confusion, the friends of each boy taking sides, and before the cause of trouble could be ascertained most of the boys were piled upon each other in the middle of the room, creating sounds altogether indescribable.  The teacher, realizing that she was alone, and not well understanding her influence, feared for a moment to interfere; but as matters were growing worse, something must be done.  She made an effort to gain the ear of the monitor, and asked why he did so.  He, confident of being in the right, answered,