A general prayer-meeting is held on Tuesday evening, and another on Thursday evening, of each week, when the missionary is assisted by Christian brethren from the up-town churches. These services are designed to reach the vile young men of the neighborhood, and have in some instances been crowned with marvelous results. Men so dissipated and reckless as to have been wholly abandoned by their friends, and given over as quite incorrigible, have drifted into these services, where they have been awakened and converted, after which they have returned to their homes and pursued honest careers. A young Englishman of liberal education, and who had been a journalist, but by dissipation and other vices had sunk himself to the depths of despair, resolved to commit suicide. He filled his pockets with brick, and stood on the pier for the fatal plunge. By some influence the dreadful act was delayed, he went to the Water-street prayer-meeting, was reclaimed by Divine grace, and has stood firm for months in a pious and useful career. Other examples might be given.

The only condition of admission to the Home is a desire to reform, though they may not know by what process the reformation is to be effected. The managers believe that nothing short of Divine grace can reform a fallen woman; hence they desire to retain each inmate until she has been genuinely converted to God, and thus rendered sufficiently strong to lead a virtuous life on her return to the outside world. A genuine change of heart is the first, last, and great thing sought by the managers in the reception of an inmate. In the meantime work from the stores is taken, each inmate receiving one-half of her earnings. The labor thus far, however, has not been very productive. During the first five months after the opening of the Home, about one hundred inmates were admitted, some of whom were pronounced the "most desperate characters of the street." But few of them returned to their old ways, many became industrious, tidy, and serious, and about ten per cent., it was thought, gave evidence of a changed heart. But with the more perfect organization of the Institution has been given also a larger measure of spiritual influence, and we learn that more than fifty per cent. of all admitted during the last six months have-deliberately entered upon a genuine Christian career. The labors of Christian ladies, who assemble several times each week to mingle prayers and exhortations with the inmates in their upper rooms, have not failed of gratifying results, and are more effective than services conducted by persons of the opposite sex.

Meetings for song, conversation, and social intercourse are also held occasionally in the parlor under the direction of the resident officers. Friends from the neighborhood and others are sometimes invited to attend. These gatherings are characterized by all the freedom of a well-ordered family, and at some of them conversions have occurred. More than once since its opening, that devoted Christian vocalist, Philip Phillips, has, volunteered to sing his choicest songs to the inmates of the Home and the assembled populace of that demoralized neighborhood. Orr one occasion, a careful distribution of handbills-and complimentary tickets through the dance-houses and liquor saloons of the locality brought together an immense crowd of both sexes, even filling the platform, on which Mr. Phillips sat, with abandoned women. An eye-witness said, "It was indeed a novel entertainment for those ears, always filled with blasphemy and foul speech, to hear 'Singing for Jesus,' from the silvery lips of our sweet singer in Israel.

"At times the deep silence was almost painful; and when Mr. Phillips sung the "Dying Child,' there was scarcely a dry eye among those so little accustomed to weep. The songs were interspersed with those short, sweet exhortations which Mr. Phillips so effectively uses to promote the deeply spiritual character of his singing, and on this occasion were more than usually blessed in their appropriateness and effect. When, near the close, he asked how many would join in the request for prayer and try to live a better life, more than forty hands went up, and several of the women near him said aloud, I will, Mr. Phillips; I will try.'"

The founder of the Water Street Home for Women is not wealthy, and at the beginning invested the few hundred dollars he possessed to obtain the lease and pay the rent for a part of the first year. It required a large faith in the infinite Provider to launch an enterprise of this character in this locality, against the judgment of so many excellent people; yet, believing himself Divinely directed, he set about the work without fear. The Home is carried on exclusively as a work of faith, no solicitation in any form being made for funds, except prayer and reliance upon God. In the right time means came to defray the expense of repairing, furniture was contributed, and bread given. The rule is not to incur debt. More than once "the last loaf has been eaten" at supper, with no knowledge of what should be on the morrow, but He that feeds the ravens has through His servants sent a timely supply. May the Home never lack encouragement! We rejoice in the auspicious opening of another refuge for the most despised and helpless class in this sin-darkened world. Truly there is something appalling in the case of a fallen woman. A man may descend to deepest prodigality, waste his substance and become a companion of harlots, yet his return is hailed with highest joy. But a fallen woman is pronounced lost, and given over as incorrigible. Her reformation, if not openly ridiculed, is long viewed with distrust, even by the excellent of her own sex. This movement in Water street has already resulted in the discontinuance of eight or ten brothels in the vicinity, and the policemen patrolling the locality pronounce it much improved.