66 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
berfeld system" of outdoor relief has all the advantages of admirable municipal management, but it is thought to lack some of the adaptability and delicacy which go with a well conducted private charity. The religious societies find work left for them to do in the care of dependent children. The day nursery has found a sphere in German towns where poor mothers are often compelled to leave the home to earn part of the living for the family. They may be unable to give suitable care to their infants. The creche meets this need by providing a comfort- able place where the babes can be left with competent nurses during the hours of the mothers' absence. Through such insti- tutions the deaconesses are enabled to instruct mothers in house- hold arts. In 1894 there were in the German Empire 42 day nurseries in care of 62 deaconesses. Schools for young children take children between the ages of 3 and 6 years for shelter and teaching. There were 2209 of these institutions in 1888. The title " Kindergarten" is avoided by the writers on Inner Mis- sions. They claim that while their schools resemble the Froebel schools in management that they differ from them in important respects ; that children of that age should not be taken away from mothers save in case of great necessity ; that systematic instruction should be avoided in favor of free play ; and that a more definite religious doctrine should be at the basis of the work. Sunday services for children are becoming popular, but still bear marks of an exotic not yet quite at home. The title "Sunday School" is avoided, partly because it suggests the English origin and character of the institution. The service leads up to the national ritual. As religious instruction is prac- tically universal and compulsory in public schools the necessity for Sunday Schools is sometimes contested. Since 1875 these schools have increased very rapidly. Recent statistics show 5900 schools, with 34,938 teachers and 749,780 pupils. The charity feature is still marked, but children of the well-to-do classes seem to enjoy the schools as much as in England or America.
Neglected and Homeless Children. The Pietists were best
