Echoes from Paris.

WASHINGTON HOUSE.

OUR FIRST SHADOW.

II

VER our beautiful Home at Washington House has fallen its first shadow. A young man to whom it offered a welcome on his arrival in Paris, has passed away from its shelter to the better rest above. In a longer stay than

usual, during which he found constant employment in the city, he endeared himself to the superintendent and others by his gentle, gracious ways. He was what is generally known as "a good young man." Especially he had delight in the cultivation of flowers when the day's work was over. His death took place in the hospital, to which he had been removed, and where he was constantly attended by J. H. Barnard, Esq., M.D., Hon. Physician of Washington House. "His end was peace."

The Rev. G. Howell, rector of Christ Church, Everton, Liverpool, who was doing temporary duty at our Mission Church, Christ Church, Neuilly, had charge of the funeral service. The first part was taken at Washington House, where a few personal friends of the deceased, Dr. Barnard, and a number of young men, then staying in the Home, were present. Some hymns were sung, and Mr. Howell gave a short and impressive address, feeling how solemn it was that he, a stranger, should be called on to commit to burial the " earthly tabernacle" of his young countryman; the seed "sown in hope," "not that body that shall be." As they sang the hymn, "Shall we meet beyond the river?" the vital interests of the soul, and some thought of "the grace that bringeth salvation," must have come home to each. A faith for eternity alone could brighten life and sustain in death. Let us hope that not one of that little band may be wanting in the day when the Lord "maketh up His jewels."

pointed out the way of salvation through Him who was

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once offered to bear the sins of many," and is therefore "able to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God by Him."

To those who feel an interest in the well-doing of our young men in Paris, or would learn something of the origin and history of Washington House, we would commend the booklet, "Am I my Brother's Keeper?" by Miss Ada Leigh. It will be sent on application to the Editor, 222, Queen's Road, Bayswater, or, The Manager, 18, Rue de Milan, Paris. At present the House is very full, parties from the Polytechnic, Regent Street, being lodged in it. These have one entire étage. The rooms are lofty, and there are separate apartments for students and others, besides a restaurant for out-door members, The Free Registry is a great boon to those seeking situations in Paris, as the Home is intended to be "the first friend of English-speaking young men," on their arrival; only offering temporary accommodation at a reasonable price. If the payment for the land, and a few necessary improvements were completed, it would soon be established on a stable basis, a worthy off-shoot of the Y.M.C.A. in Paris, England, and America.

Echoes from Paris.

MISS ADA LEIGH'S Y.W.C.A. HOME.

13

UR concierge is fond of flowers," said our lady guide, as she led the way from the garish sunlight and the rush of Paris streets, into a shady courtyard. The sudden gloom was a relief, and we looked at the graceful ferns, some

drooping from above, some stretching up with kingly strength of leaf, over the lower side-windows. "Even so," we thought, "there may be 'trees of righteousness,' young, tender, human plants, who find here a shelter from the heat' of temptation and sorrow, while watered by the dew of God's blessing; abiding in Christ as the branch in the vine."

And so it was. Would that we could introduce you to our Bible-class on that Sunday afternoon! The day was the occasion of a great public dinner in Paris, and the streets were alive with vehicles and pedestrians. Where was the sacredness and rest which those holy hours should bring? Men, in their mad thirst for pleasure, missed the higher blessing, and the poor tired horses had no relaxation from toil.

But in that upper room clear voices were singing, "'Neath the shadow of His wings there is rest-sweet rest!" We have said we wish we could introduce you, but to one at least, of our class you may have been introduced. Where had we seen that face? we thought. Ah, it had smiled upon us from many fashion plates, and under strange head-gear. Photographed again and again, for the sake of a hat or a bonnet, perhaps none ever thought there might be written in its lines that "peace which the world cannot give."

Go on, dear Christian band! drawing new-comers-young sisters who need help and heartening-to your side every week. "Keep yourselves in the love of Christ; unspotted

from the world." Ye are a brighter memory to us to-day than even the sunny gardens of the Trocadéro. Without invading your calm retreat, or breaking through the reserve which should always encircle girlhood, we hope to tell many happy stories of your Y.W.C.A. Home by-and-by.

OUR COMING NEEDS.

INTER will only too soon lay its icy hand upon us, and the eager heart of the gay city grow chill beneath its touch. What our poor suffer in Paris is only known to themselves and

God. But our visitors, as they go round from the Central Home, 77, Avenue Wagram learn something of it. We meet entries in the books of women with little children, the husbands dead or out of work, found in fireless, cheerless, carpetless rooms. Last year our bons for coke or bread or other necessaries have come indeed, as it were, from the very hand of God, the good Giver Who gave the most precious thing His heart could devise for our redemption.

"How much owest thou?" As far as its own working goes, our Home for English Girls in Paris is self-supporting. But for the strain of out-door relief, for Soup Kitchens and Clothing Clubs, with the pecuniary aid which too often has to be afforded to those inmates who come to us absolutely penniless, and cannot be turned from our doors and cast adrift, who is sufficient? For this we look to the stewards of the Master's bounty; those to whom He has given liberally, expecting them to give liberally again. It is not a duty merely, though it is all that; it is the highest privilege. "God loveth a cheerful giver." He recognises in such an one something akin to His own nature, something after His own heart. Shall we not "provoke one another unto love and to good works,"

Echoes from Paris.

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ere the cold, dark, dreary days set in, when our brothers and sisters, those of our own flesh and blood and nation, so sorely need to be "warmed and fed" and comforted? "Freely ye have received, freely give."

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS.

We acknowledge the following with thanks :

GENERAL FUND.-Mrs. Higham, £1 Is., an. ; Miss Mary Holgate, £1, an.; Mrs. Carleton, £8 (Exhibition Fund); per Mrs. Bottomley, £7 4s.; per Miss I. Kingworth, 8; Miss Fordham, 10s.; Miss Hilder, 45.; Rev. Wyndham Guinness, 5s.; Messrs. Aspinell Aspinell, 1; Mrs. Cairns, £1; Miss C. R. Peel, £2 2s., an.; Rev. Geo. J. Howson, £5; Mrs. Edwin Laurence, £5; [per the SecretaryVicountess Boyne, £2; the Right Hon. W. H. Smith, M.P., P.C., 10]; [per Mrs. Hornibrook-James Gardiner, Esq., £5; Clements Markham, Esq., £2 2s.; Miss Maxwell, £1 11s. 6d.]; [per Miss K. A. Mayor-Mrs. Phillips, 5s., an. ; the Misses Smith, 1 Is., an. ; Mrs. Hutton, 5s., an.; Miss Husband, 2s. 6d., an.; Mrs. Miller, 5s., an.; A Friend, 2s. 6d., an.]; A Friend, 1; R. Waley, Esq., £1 ; per S. Sampson Lloyd, Esq., £43 7s. 6d.; Miss Feath, 2s.; Mrs. Sheppard, £1 10s.; Miss M. B. Maxwell, £1 11s. 6d.

GIFTS FOR GOVERNESSES' AND ARTISTS' INSTITUTE.-July and August. Tablespoons, T. Penlington, Esq.; Bell, Miss Stallon; Two pairs Sheets, Mrs. Mount; Brackets, Mrs. de Carteret; Five Books (from the Authoress), Miss Mary Hack; Hot-Water Jug, Miss A. Hockley; Tablecloth, Miss Shaw; Books, Dr. Barnard.

ORPHANAGE.-Professor Yeatman, £10; Mrs. Keogh, 20 francs. FOR ECHOES.-Mrs. Walter Bull, 1s. 6d. ; Mrs. Bradley, Is. 6d. ; Edward Woods, Esq., £1 Is., an.; John Gilbert, Esq., IOS., an.; Mrs. Giffard, L1, an.; Mrs. Alexander, £1, don.; per Mrs. Edmonstone-Montgomerie.

Cheques and P.O.O. should be made payable to the Treasurer, F. A. Bevan, Esq., 54, Lombard Street, London; to Ada M. Lewis, 77, Avenue Wagram, Paris, or, Mr. W. Augustus Morley, General Secretary, 224, Queen's Road, Bayswater, W.; in Canada, T. Wolferstan Thomas, Esq., The Molson's Bank, Montreal; in the United States, H. W. Munroe, Esq., 32, Nassau Street, New York, or 4, Postoffice Square, Boston.

Annual Subscriptions for "ECHOES FROM PARIS" for United States and Canada, 40 cents, can be paid to Hon. Secretaries of the different cities.

It would greatly facilitate the work of the Secretary at the commencement of the new issue, if friends who wish to continue the Echoes," or new subscribers, would kindly let us have payment in advance.-ED.