62 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
cr.n churches in enjoying financial support without collections. Nor do they maintain a system of academies, colleges, and uni- separate from those of the state. On the other hand, wealth is not so great nor so widely diffused as with us, and the habit of waiting for the authorities to act seems to chill private initiative. The effect is seen in the amounts contributed to mis- sions.
The present organization of the Inner Mission. The Central Committee was a part of the original plan of Wichern, and it continues to carry out his ideas. It has an office in Berlin. Its functions are instruction, inspiration, counsel, and assistance, but not legislation. It seldom conducts a benevolent enterprise directly, yet its influence is widely felt. It undertakes some- thing of the work for which our Evangelical Alliance stands, 1 and its history encourages us to hope that a similar agency may some day bring order and efficiency into the chaos of our social services.
Provincial agencies. Traveling agencies are maintained in various districts for the work of strengthening existing efforts, of leading to the organization of new enterprises, and of securing means for institutions. The agents go from church to church, present the needs, interest pastors and congregations, and take collections. Some of the institutions raise money by direct appeals.
Local societies. Charities are often supported by a volun- tary local society of persons who are interested in a particular form of philanthropy. They raise the funds, administer the trust, appoint the officers, and are responsible for finances and methods. The institutions are directly administered by persons who have the confidence of the directors of the society.
The training of ivorkers. German people have great re - spect for special training. They are served by officials in schools, on railroads and elsewhere, who have passed probations and examinations, and who belong to a profession. This idea of expert service is carried into the Inner Mission. The dea-
f See article by DR. JOSIAH STRONG, in American Journal Sociology, Vol. I, No. 2.
