The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-11-19
NEW SERIES--NO. lOS


The Scotch pque themselves little on
having taken the first step IN this move
ment, and have good reason for self
graduation, No doubt. 50 far ~ tho Brit.
sh Isles are concerned, the first Of these In.
stitutons originated in the north but few
OF Us are perhaps aware that, in tho little
town Of Wcmar, "wherc," rs Prof. Blackie
hath 1t. fair Peace her bloodloss victories
tells, such an institation iioarshed seven.
and thirty years ago.
The life of Frederick Perthcs. which has
been lately translated has presented 70
the English public picture OF German life
IA picture Of good mans mind, and of
domestic happiness such ~ has bncn seldom
rccn among tho various subjects Of inter.
O., treated OF In these volumes. public aud
private. secular and Theological. the chapter
ON the first Ragged School and IL founder
Is one Of the most attractive.
Falk was n native of West Prussia. aud
Ind Come TO reside In Wcimar. when his
compassion was excited by the tuMber Of
children left destitute by the battles Of jena,
l.ntxen, and leipSic, which had lcfl them
lathcrlcss, aud who now Wandered, like wild
beasts Of tho forest, In the neighb0rho0d of
those scenes Of horror. These young av-
ages were the wreck Of Naloleons armies
dark eyed boys from southern France. and
sunny Italy besides multitude from oil
tribes IN GcrinaDy. or tMse Falk collect.
eti more than 300. and took them TO his own
houSe. aud resolved 10 devote his lifc to thc
task OF reclaimiDg the IN. and giving them
The b,~sings OF education and an honest
calling. To do No, besides biz own devotion
and energy, large funds were necessary;
and part of his unpopulariiy may well be
ascribei, not only 10 ha cccrntrioitie~, hir
riding hls hobby very hard, but 10 his being
bold AMI untiring bcggar~--a bore. IN short
- Tho burden Of his song being always
give, give Having himself giving his
soul and body 10 the work Of saving souls,
l'e could not understand any one being lukc-
warm ~ such n cause. or stinting either
t'cir labor or their substance.
lie hal much 10 dsappoipi. but stll more
70 encourage him. and was determined mv,
70 see difficulties. Whcn his house was
sold by the proprietor hc naturally found no
one very willing 10 receive him and bis 800
children into another he theacfpre resolved
10 build. and do the whole BY the hrnIa Of
his children go that" ~ he saiI, "cvery
tile In the roof, every mil in the wallis. every
lock on the doors, every chair and every
table In the rooms. shall bc witness 10 their
industry"
TO any one familiar with our kngual
Schools, the following description given by
'cribcs, Of the Ragged School which hc
visited IN 1922, " very significant al.
mos, fifty journeymcn and apprentices. NIL of
them former inmates Of the Ragged Hos.
piial were working ut the new building ~
na~ons and carpenters. The were served
by boys .lill IN the instiiuion horrid, cnn.
nibaliikc faces they nj had with the wolf
u the desert npmistakably imprinted on
their iorehonds In ibe expression of many
however there were iracer Of new lie
Falk says II isa real pleasure To sec how
the claws and the shaggy turf gradually fall
on"
Falks work s,rl lifc-lnbor were crowned
with great success. No doubt many oi bic
pr0teRcs returned 10 their wild ways, still u
much larger number grew up 10 bs sobcr
and iDdltsirious ciii1epz aud many tlriv-
ing artlzsn, 10 his happy and peaceful hosne.
besssd the memory of his bcDcfact0r, wl,o
bad taught him the first Lesson Of rectitmie
and selfrJ"c, a lso that has taken place
of which he wns himself No confdsnt--the
idea which posses-,si him hss spread though.
out Cbristion Europe: and though the
naine 81 The Whimsical J0bn Falk Is seldom
heard the desire Of his heart il accomplish
al. Wherever their In want and miery,
there also IS Il door open for children OF the
destitute 10 learn The great lesson how To
live for ilis world and for the next And In
OCT days Industrial Schools have made
noble lords for their managers. AMI dainty
Daill.. for the.r patrons,