It is also an age of conventions,--scientific, political, and religious. Christianity is exerting a mighty influence in various forms. Throughout the world this is shown by the multitudes it has lifted out of barbarism in India, China, Japan, Australia, Africa, and made them law-abiding, peace-loving, and self-governing Christian peoples. Cannibalism and human sacrifice have now disappeared from the earth, with many other practices too horrible to name. For the care of the poor and unfortunate, New York City alone spends annually more than $6,000,000. It has homes for the aged, for orphans and for half-orphaned children, also for crippled, and the deformed. Poor women about to become mothers may go to a suitable institute where medical attendance and trained nursing are furnished free, or they may have both free in their own homes. The advance in the higher education, as well as great improvement in our common-school system, is a marked feature of our times. Most of our colleges have greatly raised the course of study, and several have become fully equipped universities, while other new universities have been added to the number; one in Chicago, two in Washington City, one in California, and one in Baltimore. Probably the most marked feature in the education of our time is the throwing open the doors of so many colleges and universities to women. These have flocked thither to take equal stand with the men, who have had a monopoly of these privileges since colleges and universities were founded: and they have entered the learned professions of medicine, law, and divinity, professions once thought to be forever barred against their sex. Co-education, the higher education of women, and their aspiration to lead a professional life, fifty years ago would have been considered the dream of fanatics only. Some even now doubt the wisdom of the movement, but, good or bad, it is here to stay, and will advance with ever increasing velocity.