Little Grace with the rosy cheeks and laughing blue eyes had grown to the dignity of short clothes on Christmas day, and though but five months old she sat in her fine new high chair and crowed and laughed aloud with glee just as though she were years old instead of months only. Wee Edith, our frailest Bud, is frail no longer, but is growing stronger and rosier every day, and her great wonderful eyes look as if they held a store of untold things, which she will give to the world some day, in song or verse. On Christmas Eve a new-comer appeared, little “merry Christmas” and on Christmas day another; this one we didn’t know what to call for the time being, but little “Miss Newcome,” and that made six small workers for humanity at Lotus Home on Christmas day. The household is now composed of twelve persons, Dr. Kean, Supt.; Miss Morris, assistant Supt.; the Housekeeper; the Maid of all work (who by the way is a jewel); the Man of all work; and the new nursery maid; with the six babies making the twelve. Quite a household, for so short a time since the work was begun, and it will continue to grow for it is getting to be better known all the while. We have received an appropriation from the County of $600. We are very glad to get this, it will help us through the winter and in spring we hope to have an entertainment that will bring us over $200. I have no words at my command, dear Mother, to express all I feel in regard to our blessed work here, and of my appreciation of the great privilege you have bestowed upon us here, in permitting us to help on our great Cause in this practical and substantial way, but you know my heart, and what I lack in beautiful language, I hope I can make up in faithful work. THERESA Y. STEVENS. HOME CRUSADE IN IRELAND.