0 THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AMONG CHILDREN: OR, TWENTY-FOUR NARRATIVES OF A RELIGIOUS AWAKENING IN A SCHOOL IN POMERANIA. FROM THE GERMAN, BY CHARLOTTE CLARKE. REVISED BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION. From the London Edition. BOSTON: MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY, 1844. INTRODUCTION. As SOME of the readers of the narratives related in this little work may be more favorably impressed by them if they are convinced of their truth, the translator begs to mention that the relator of them is well known to the Count Von-der Recke Von Volmenstein, whose excellent Institution for orphans and destitute children at Düsselthal Abbey, near Dusseldorf, has made him known to a large part of the Christian public as a faithful, self-denying follower of his Lord and Saviour; and to him the manuscript was given, to be printed at the press at Düsselthal, should he consider it calculated to be useful to the many souls committed to his charge, as well as to others into whose hands it might fall. Particulars of the above mentioned interesting Institution may be found in the history of Düsselthal Abbey, published by Nisbet in 1838, and sold for the benefit of the establishment. There are at this time from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and sixty children in it; and since its foundation in 1822, more than one thousand young persons have been sent from it into the world, who have, with very few exceptions gained respectable livelihoods, either in service, or by the many kinds of trades which they have been taught there, according to their different tastes and abilities. PREFACE. TO HIM who willingly hears or reads about the kingdom of heaven, I will relate some facts that may interest. I am not speaking of the kingdom of heaven above, but of that which Jesus Christ the Son of God, has set up on earth among us sinners; and which offers forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation, to every one here below. Oh! listen, parents and teachers—yea, all who have grown up in the church of Christ to the great things Jesus, the friend of children and of sinners, has done. You in particular, dear children, give ear, and profit by what you hear; to you principally I will speak. Perhaps through these narratives you may first |