that the free associations should be heartily adopted as an agency for promoting the welfare of the self-reliant mechanic. He saw already the power of the combinations of the Communists. It wounded him deeply to discover that the "brotherhood of laborers" already stood outside of and in antagonism to the church. He points to the example of Pastor Oberlin and of a few generous employers who had shown the way to a fraternal coöperation not based on class lines and anti-religious teachings. The socialists had already organized the workingmen in cities. Why should not the Christian people provide associations, inns, homes, and savings banks to meet the needs of special classes of laborers? To provide better homes for artisans and laborers it is urged that the Building Society of Berlin be imitated in all cities. It was many years before these suggestions of Wichern were embodied in organizations of laborers in the church, and the movement never succeeded as it was then conceived. But the ideas of a "Christian Socialism," akin to that of Maurice, Kingsley and Ludlow, were all present in the "Denkschrift" and germinated in many places.
Extent of the work.—In 1845 the number of voluntary associations of this kind was estimated at 6000 to 7000. There were more than one hundred Bible societies and many publication and tract societies. By 1849 almost all German countries outside of Austria, had established Gustavus Adolphus Societies. The associations of youth sought to come into correspondence in 1847. The "Fliegende Blätter" became the organ of the societies in 1844, and this paper has contributed to their power to this day. Hundreds of associations pursued their modest labors in obscurity and quiet, without correspondence or united organization.
Objections.—In the light of certain objections now current to the "institutional church" and other social activities, it is instructive to note that these same objections were urged in Germany to similar benevolent activity. The Inner Mission Society was said to imperil "spirituality;" to involve the ministry in "secular" affairs; to complicate church order; to undermine the authoritative position of the clergy by encouraging the laity
