Chapter M: F. Reading (2)

“I hasten to tell you what a dear Saviour I have found. I have accepted Him as mine and I mean to serve and trust Him the rest of my life. Last Sunday the 20th year to a day since my marriage, I resolved to be a Christian, but thought I would wait till the middle of the week before starting. On last evening (Monday) I drove my team down to the boat for passengers, but on finding that I would probably have to carry them back and hence be kept from the meeting, I drove away and attended church. When the invitation was given I could wait no longer; went forward, gave my heart to Jesus, and to-day I am a new man, not ashamed to tell the world. I was so glad that I wish others could this afternoon in the praise meeting speak for my Saviour, whose pleadings I have so long withstood. I wanted to write you these words, because I knew you were anxious for my salvation. How glad have I been always to meet you. No man would I rather see or hear talk than you. You have caused me to shed many a tear, but you didn’t know it. Oh I am so glad that the Lord spared me that I might return to Him. I mean to give the balance of my days to the blessed master. Shall do all I can to have others come to Him and live for Him; pray for me that I may be strong and useful. The Evangelist and his good wife are truly sent out by the Lord.

“Bro. Brown and they work nicely together. We just seem to be in a good way. No doubt many will be converted. Up to this time twelve have been brought out into the light. The Christians are strengthened, the church encouraged and a good feeling prevails among the people.”

* * * * *

LETTER FROM McINTOSH, Ga.

FROM REV. FLOYD SNELSON.

Our school work has been vigilantly prosecuted this year, somewhat to the end that the great demand which is made upon us for persons to teach the public schools in this and adjoining counties might be met. We have twenty-eight students licensed and sent out to work this year, who have received all or a part of their training in our school. Still a great many more are wanted. I have appeals before me now for teachers for seven schools, made up and ready to begin at any time, that I cannot supply. I do hope to see the day when some lover of humanity will aid us with the facilities of a regular boarding-school here, that this great need of teachers in the common schools may be met. The twenty-eight that have gone out this year to teach are allowed from 20 to 40 pupils. With an average of 30 in each of their schools, they will be able to start a light in the dark minds of 840 needy ones.

Our church work, I am very thankful to say, has also received an additional Divine recognition. At our last communion season, which was held July 22, sixteen persons, hopefully converted, came into the fellowship of the church, and six children were brought to be baptized.

* * * * *

ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.

—An effort is being made by Rev. Mr. Roberts, of Paris, Texas, to organize a church at Dood City, where he has been holding special meetings.

—A new house of worship has been dedicated at Belle Place, La. Rev. Wm. Butler, pastor, was assisted by Rev. W. R. Polk, of New Iberia, in the dedicatory services. The A. M. A. furnished a portion of the funds for the building.

—Rev. B. F. Foster, who labored the past year as pastor and teacher at Fayetteville, Ark., will prosecute his studies at the Theological Seminary, Chicago. Rev. John M. Shippen, a recent graduate of the Theological Department of Howard University, has accepted an invitation to occupy the place vacated by Mr. Foster.

—Rev. George W. Moore, a graduate of Fisk University and Oberlin Theological Seminary, has assumed the pastoral care of the Lincoln Memorial Church, Washington, D.C., under favorable auspices. He is to supply Dr. Rankin’s pulpit one Sunday.

—Rev. Zechariah Simmons, a licentiate of the North Carolina Association, has been appointed to take charge of the mission at Woodbridge, N.C., with reference to the organization of a church. The A. M. A. has recently purchased a parsonage for his accommodation.

—The church in Oaks, Alamance Co., N.C., is building a comfortable house of worship under the supervision of Rev. J. N. Ray, its pastor, who has received $100 from the A. M. A. for the furtherance of the enterprise. Miss E. W. Douglass, an experienced missionary teacher, has been appointed to labor at this point.

—Mr. G. W. Jackson and his wife (Rose McCutcheon) are pushing their mission day and Sunday-school work at Whiteside, Tenn. They have been visited by Rev. Jos. E. Smith and Mrs. Steele of Chattanooga, and meetings of much promise have been held.

—The _Clarion_, of Jackson, Miss., gives an interesting report of the colored Congregational Church, organized by the A. M. A. in that city, with Rev. C. L. Harris, pastor. The church has a membership of 16 and a Sabbath-school of 63. Services are held in the hall of the Hope Fire Company. The citizens of Jackson have subscribed liberally toward the erection of a house of worship.

—Rev. S. N. Brown, while furnishing a vacation supply at Florence, Ala., has been assisted by the evangelist, Rev. J. E. Fields, in a series of revival meetings, which has resulted in an addition of twenty members to the church. This is the church which was so much depleted by the Exodus.

—Rev. A. W. Curtis, of Marion, Ala., on invitation of Rev. Dr. Raymond, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, has preached on exchange with him. This is said to be the first expression of fellowship of this kind the A. M. A. preachers have received at the South. Mr. Curtis has also accepted an invitation to exchange with the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church South in the same city.

—Rev. Geo. W. Clark of Athens, Ga., and his people, with aid from the A. M. A., have purchased a lot and are proceeding to build a house of worship. Up to this time they have held their services in the chapel of Knox Institute.

—The A. M. A. is building a church at Pekin, N.C., with accommodations for school purposes.

—The church at Chattanooga, Tenn. (Rev. Jos. E. Smith, pastor), have built a new fence about the meeting house, which has been painted outside and inside and beautifully frescoed.

—The St. Louis _Globe-Democrat_ says, in connection with the Press Convention: “One remarkable paper was that represented at the Convention by its business manager, R. C. Edmondson. It was _The Fisk Herald_, a college paper published at the Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn.; in fact, the only college paper the colored people have. It is a nice eight-page tinted paper, well printed and generally well reading journal.” The _Daily World_ says: “The present number is of neat typographical appearance, and is filled with interesting reading matter. A liberal encouragement should be extended to this enterprise.”

—The President of the Produce Exchange, Wilmington, N.C., speaking of the school of the A. M. A., says: “The boys, after leaving the institution, get employment more readily than others, because their moral principles are higher, and because they are generally better fitted for intelligent occupation than the majority of those who profess to have received an elementary education. The people of Wilmington have great cause for thankfulness that our Negro population is so law-abiding and faithful to duty; and to take courage from the results already accomplished in a transition so violent from a life of slavery to that of freedom and citizenship in the eyes of the law. The utmost harmony has prevailed between the races for many years past, and instances of disagreement between employers and employed are far more rare than among the whites in the North.”

* * * * *

THE CHINESE.

* * * * *

RECRUITS FOR THE SOUTH CHINA MISSION.

REV. W. C. POND, SAN FRANCISCO.

I trust that our friends do not forget how God has begun to fulfil the prayer which the motto of our mission, “China for Christ,” and the hearts of our Chinese Christians sent up during so many years, in the establishment by the American Board of a Mission in China to co-operate with ours, and to reach, first of all, the swarming millions in those districts from which our immigrants have come. In connection with the departure of Bro. Hager to this field, our Congregational Association of Christian Chinese gave $500 in cash, and one of its best members and my best helpers as a co-laborer. Bro. Hager has established his head-quarters at Hong Kong and has gathered there a school similar in all respects to ours in California. But this is only a rendezvous. The main work is elsewhere, preaching the gospel and scattering the word of life on the main land. Lee Sam is busy with this already; enduring hardness as a good soldier, and working almost alone. But he will not be suffered to work long alone. Our helper for years past at Sacramento, Lem Chung, sailed for China more than six weeks ago, and has already, we hope been welcomed at Hong Kong. Sustaining for years a relation to the Chinese of Sacramento every way equivalent to that which an American pastor sustains in the community where he labors, he so commended himself by his mental capacity, his faithfulness, his Christian spirit and consistent walk that while our Chinese brethren clung to him as few American churches do to their pastors, he was also “of good report,” or, as the revision reads it, “has good testimony from them that are without,” both Chinese and Americans. Whether he will remain permanently in China is not decided, but so long as he does remain, I doubt not he will be ready for every good word and work. And now three others among our helpers, Hong Sing of Santa Cruz, Wong Him Wong of Stockton and Lou Quong of the West School in this city, are making ready to depart. They go together. They hope to begin missionary work on the steamer. They hope to continue it when they reach their native land. We shall miss them greatly. They have approved themselves in our service, workmen that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth and illustrating its power in their consistent lives. But with reference to our great purpose, “China for Christ,” our loss is a gain, and we gladly take others to fill the vacant places, hoping that these too, trained to preach by preaching and to teach by teaching, will follow their brethren to the dark regions across the wide sea.

At the time of this writing, a fortnight remains before the close of our fiscal year. Toward the $12,500 which our work for the year _must_ cost, we have received in cash and pledges $11,800. To find $700 more within these two weeks seems to be quite impossible, by virtue of any resources remaining within the superintendent’s reach. He repeats over to himself: “My God shall supply all your need;” he recounts to himself the many mercies past; and how, again and again, in his own experience, what seemed impossible has come to pass, and still he questions and he doubts, and asking, seeking, knocking, can do no better than to cry, “Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief.” Before this reaches the eye of our readers, the fiscal year will have closed, and the account will be made up: yet _not so closed_ but that if any of our readers are willing to share with me the load which open doors and proffered harvests have laid upon me, their help would be most welcome and most _timely_.

* * * * *

BUREAU OF WOMAN’S WORK.

MISS D. E. EMERSON, SECRETARY.

* * * * *

MEETING OF BUREAU OF WOMAN’S WORK.

In connection with the Annual Meeting of the A. M. A. in Brooklyn, notice of which is given elsewhere, there will be a Woman’s Meeting in the interest of our Bureau of Woman’s Work. Report of mission work among the Chinese on the Pacific Coast will be made by Mrs. W. C. Pond, wife of Superintendent Pond; on Indian Missions, by Mrs Alfred L. Riggs, wife of the Principal of our Santee School, Nebraska; on work among the mountain whites of Kentucky, by Mrs. A. A. Myers, wife of Rev. Mr. Myers, our missionary in that region; on work among the colored people, by Miss Anna M. Cahill, late Principal of Normal Department, Fisk University. Other ladies will participate in the meeting, particulars concerning which, and also as to the hour of the meeting, will be given in the religious press at a later date.

* * * * *

THE PAPER MISSION, AND WHAT CAME OF IT.

BY MISS NANCY MARSH, PROVIDENCE, R.I.

Since we commenced our mission, May, 1880, we have received many letters asking “What can I do?” To such we have made various suggestions.

In Stoneham, Mass., the ladies felt they could not send boxes, but wished to do something, so organized the “Stevens Home Missionary Society,” and have sent to various places 779 papers and pamphlets, and 7 Sunday-school books. They have basted 1,465 blocks of patch-work and sent to seven teachers in Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Ladies Island; have basted also 49 handkerchiefs “from pieces of cloth, to teach the children to sew, and give them what they needed.” Postage $5.22. They have also corresponded with several pastors and teachers. The Secretary says; “I am delighted with some of the correspondence, and enjoy the work very much; am so glad to help even a little in this good work. I love some of the dear teachers very much, and it has all come through their dear letters, heart touching heart, and all for Jesus. Thank you for all the interest you have taken to help us get started, and for your aid right along; we have had no names except what you have given us.” This society has proved very efficient, and they have been so grateful for the privilege of working, it has been a pleasure to find them opportunities; it has done them good as well as others. Some of these letters have been read in their missionary concerts, and awakened an increasing interest in the community.

A lady in Chesterfield, Ill., formerly a teacher in Utah, and some young friends have basted 300 blocks of patch-work for teachers in Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee, feeling, she says, “that our greatest privilege is to work for the Lord.”

A letter came to us from Middleboro, Mass., saying, “I am very anxious to do something for the missionaries, and, as I am an invalid, and unable to give money, I thought I could cut and baste patch-work if nothing more.” Recently we received a card stating “I have sent 600 blocks to Chattanooga, Tenn., I would be glad to do more, but am now unable to do any kind of work, but hope to sometime, if ever so little.” In answer to inquiries, this lady says: “The work I sent Mrs. S—— I did lying on my reclining chair nearly as flat as a bed; but have been confined to my bed many weeks at a time, and suffering more than words can tell.” Surely this service performed for the Master, in such weariness and pain, shall not lose its reward.

From Claremont, N.H., the question came: “What can a mission circle do for Christmas?” We suggested a place as affording ample scope for their ingenuity and generosity; so “the Sunbeams” (the mission circle) 25 in number, from six to fourteen years, sent rays of light and gladness to cheer the hearts of these desolate people in the shape of picture-frames, book-marks, work and scrap-bags, mittens, pin-balls, spectacle-cases for the old ladies, etc. The ladies of this place also sent a box of second-hand clothing, which was greatly needed.

There has been much labor in corresponding with so many persons: 69 letters and postals have been written. This includes work only among the Freedmen, yet we have rejoiced in the interest awakened in various places by this means, and are glad to help this good cause in every way in our power. Aid has been given in various ways and different places, which, including postage, makes $37.24. This _patch-work_ has become quite an institution, 2,504 blocks have been sent, greatly helping the teachers in their work, saving their time and strength, and helping to form habits of industry which are so essential to the well-being of these women and young girls, thus fitting them for usefulness in the future. One old lady, who is much interested in the young, and fond of patch-work, gave us 78 blocks very nicely basted, which were sent to Ladies Island, so meeting the needs of a young girl whose quilt had come to a standstill for want of materials.

In 1882, in order to enlarge our field of operations, we sent to Dr. Strieby for new names of pastors and teachers among the Freedmen, and are now able to report that we have forwarded to the Southern States 1,021 papers and pamphlets, 339 lesson papers, 122 tracts, 74 Scripture cards and 103 Christmas cards; postage $5.72. Besides these, papers have been sent by several persons in different States. A teacher in Texas writes, “I should like Sunday-school papers, temperance, and other tracts, to distribute as I visit among the people.” “Can make use of the patch-work and any other sewing prepared; thanks for encouraging words, and sympathy, we need your constant and earnest prayers.”

From N.C.—“Your Christmas cards reached us safely; the children enjoyed their gifts, and received them gratefully. My field is not an easy one, but I am endeavoring with the Master’s help to plant and replant fruitful seed. Any good reading matter is acceptable. I need material for my sewing school (one dozen spools of cotton and six crochet needles, were sent to this school by two young ladies). Your letter was full of encouragement and good advice, and strengthened me much. My work is chiefly among the children, have 50 or 60 in Sunday-school in the morning, and about the same number attend the Band of Hope every Sabbath afternoon. We have prayer-meetings every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. I have also a Bible-class for adults, which I teach an hour and a half every Wednesday evening. Have received the patch-work from Mrs. M., it is indeed a great help to have it basted, my time is so occupied.”

Ga.—The teacher writes: “Thanks for your interest in us, we pay for our Sunday school papers, for we think the people prize them more when they pay for them; but I can send what I receive into the country, where they are very glad of them; sent your roll last night out twenty-five miles to a place where they have nothing to help them; have several places to which I can send, and profitably use all I receive. We are trying to give the people a little instruction in mission work; and take up a collection once in three months; this people need nothing more than to understand that there are others as poor as themselves, and they certainly are very poor, but, as they receive, they must also give; true growth comes from looking out. Our day school has over 100, and our Sunday school nearly as many more, some coming four or five miles, and have been very enthusiastic in their work. My scholars are looking forward to teaching. Last summer 14 were out, and more will probably go this summer. We are hoping to give them better ideas of religion, that they may help to change the character of the coming generation. We have organized a “Woman’s Missionary Society.” They are to meet from house to house, taking their supper with them; think it will go far toward making them better housekeepers, as well as teaching them to make things, which they will sell, and so get a little money into their treasury, then they can send a dollar to some cause in which they are interested. Pray for the success of this society for through it, I hope to reach the homes, and there is so much to be done in the homes before there can be much improvement.”

We have had cheering words from pastors in Arkansas and Kentucky, telling of souls converted, Christians revived and children gathered into Sunday schools. Our papers have been given where there is great destitution of reading matter.

At Christmas a few cards and papers were sent to a pastor in Childersburg, Ala. He writes: “I want to thank your class for their gifts to the children, who are destitute of such things. Our church was burned a year ago, after a temperance lecture, but the people are building better than before. We held services in our church last winter without a stove, and the house all open, yet we trust the Lord was with us; our school numbered 30 or 40 during the cold weather and a larger number when pleasant. There are many who cannot read, and many who can have no Bibles.”

We have been much interested in these pastors and teachers, some of them have made great sacrifices, and though not appreciated by those who should sustain and encourage them, future generations will rise up and call them blessed. We are very grateful to all the kind friends who have helped us in our work by papers, postage, patch-work, and in various ways and places, especially for the Christian sympathy extended to these pastors and teachers. It has been duly appreciated, and lightened many a burdened heart; so we trust our “Paper Mission” has not been a failure in the Southern States.

* * * * *

CHILDREN’S PAGE.

* * * * *

A TALK WITH THE CHILDREN.

MISS IDA M. BEACH, SAVANNAH, GA.

“The lady asked me was I agoin’ to hear the children make their speeches,” said a little colored girl but just transplanted from her Southern home to this Northern land.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Why, it is breakin’ up day in the schoolhouse over yonder, and the children are goin’ to speak.”

_From Harper’s Young People._

TOPSY LEFT ALONE.]

Sitting by my window the next day, voices of children attracted my attention. Looking up I saw two little ones—a brother and sister—trudging along followed by another little girl. I noticed the fresh white dresses and pretty aprons, and that they seemed to be very much in earnest about something. A half hour later the mother passed, and it dawned upon me, then, that it was the “last day of school.” Afterward, riding by the school-house, and peeping in, I saw rows of bright children and many happy parents and friends. It brought to my mind another “last day,” where were children dressed by just as loving hands in their white lawns, and pink and cream buntings. Their songs were just as well sung—perhaps better—for a lady, after spending a day in a public school of a New England city, wrote: “The children are trained by a music teacher who receives $800 a year, but their singing could not be compared to that we heard by the pupils of ——,” referring to these of whom I am telling you. Their little “speeches” were recited just as distinctly; the teachers were just as proud; the parents just as happy, nay, happier. I’ll tell you why by and by.

Have you studied U.S. History? And do you remember the story of our late Civil War? Then you know that one result of it was that nearly four million slaves, who were owned by other people, to be bought and sold like any other property, were made free. They could go where they chose; work as they wanted to; receive the wages they earned; make homes for themselves, and not be afraid that their children would be torn away from them to go with another master.

If you should take the cars in Richmond and ride though—what States?—till you came to Florida, you would pass through miles and miles of pinelands scattered all along. Set right in among the pine trees are little log cabins, the homes of many of these people. Owning little farms, raising their rice and corn, cotton and sweet potatoes, they seem very happy indeed. I heard snatches of “Hold the Fort” coming from within one of these cabins, and remembered seeing a little church not far away, so I think they must have Sunday-school, and use the “Gospel Hymns,” don’t you?

Stopping over one train in a Southern city, and inquiring for the homes of the colored people, you will be directed to almost any lane. Shall I tell you about one I visited?

Clara told me where to find her. Hunting around among many houses which were nearly alike, I suddenly saw a face at a window which I knew must be that of Clara’s mother. I crossed the street and knocked at the door. It was old and weather-beaten, and fairly creaked as I rapped.

A little old woman, with a white turban bound about her head, opened the door. With a courtesy and warm greeting she offered me a chair. The floor was uncarpeted, but as clean as frequent scrubbings with soap and water could make it.

Two sticks were burning in the open fire-place, before which stood a half dozen flat-irons. Mrs. —— apologized for “bein’ a ironin’ on a Saturday,” and after giving a few finishing touches to a piece on the board sat down to tell me about Clara.

“My husban’ is dead, an’ it is very hard to get an hones’ livin’ an’ keep Clara in school. She ain’t strong, ma’am, Clara ain’t, an’ can’t do much hard work, but she love’ her books an’ want to teach. She was graduate’ las’ year, but nothing would do but I mus’ sen’ her this year. It is mighty hard to get the money, you know, ma’am, but I never can give her nothing but an education. I never had none myself, but, Clara, she is right smart in her books, ma’am. I wants her to be educated.” The same story oft repeated, “the children, the children they mus’ be educated.”

Do you know, now, why those mothers were so happy when listening to the songs and recitations of their children? Can you realize how proud they are when they find that Nehemiah and Charles Henry can read and write like any white boys?

Who will hunt up nine others and be one of ten to save ten cents each month to pay the tuition of one of these children?

* * * * *

RECEIPTS FOR AUGUST, 1883.

* * * * *

MAINE, $222.07.

Bangor. First Cong. Ch., 18.61; Rev. Joseph
Smith, 10 $28.61
Bluehill. Mrs. E. W. Mayo, 4; Mrs. H. W. J., 1 5.00
Brewer. First Cong. Ch. 12.85
Brunswick. Cong. Ch. and Soc., 69.60; Marshall
Cram, 10 79.60
Brunswick. Mrs. John D. Lincoln, _for Selma,
Ala._ 2.00
Dennysville. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 13.02
Ferry Village. Rev. R. D. Osgood 10.00
Gorham. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 28.38
Gorham. Miss E. B. Emery, _for Macon, Ga._ 3.00
Kennebunk. Union Ch. and Soc. 21.61
Limington. Miss A. Boothby 4.00
Waterford. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 14.00

NEW HAMPSHIRE, $234.62.

Amherst. Cong. Sab. Sch. 20.00
Candia Village. Jona. Martin 5.00
Derry. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 17.65
East Jaffrey. Miss Eliza A. Parker 20.00
Goffstown. Cong Ch. 37.74, and Sab. Sch.,
1.55, to const. MRS. HATTIE A. PAIGE L. M.;
“A Friend,” 30, to const. MISS LUELLA D.
CARPENTER L. M. 69.29
Hampstead. Miss Ann M. Howard 5.00
Hancock. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 25.00
Mount Vernon. Cong Ch. and Soc. 5.00
Pembroke. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 52.58
Rindge. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 2.10
West Concord. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 13.00

VERMONT, $164.96.

Barre. Cong. Ch. 12.50
Castleton. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 31.00
Jeffersonville. “A Friend.” 25.00
Johnson. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 15.00
Ludlow. Cong. Ch. and Soc., 20.47; and Sab.
Sch., 1.80 22.27
Manchester. Miss Ellen Hawley, _for Foster
Hall Reading Room, Talladega C._ 20.00
Pittsford. “D.” 1.00
Post Mill Village. Mrs. C. M. Holbrook 1.00
Saint Albans. First Cong. Ch. 13.05
Tyson Furnace. —— 1.14
Vergennes. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 20.00
——. “Rutland Co.” 3.00

MASSACHUSETTS, $2,078.81.

Amesbury. C. F. Hovey, 10.40; E. P. Elliott, 50c. 10.90
Amesbury and Salisbury. Union Evan. Ch. and Soc. 17.00
Amherst. G. C. Munsell 2.00
Barre. Evan. Cong. Ch. Sab. Sch. 17.00
Belchertown. Cong. Ch. and Soc., adl. 0.25
Blackstone. H. Hodgson 1.50
Boston. “In memory of little Fannie,” 10; Mrs.
Susan Collin, 1 11.00
Bradford. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 40.57
Brookfield. Ladies’ Benev. Soc., Bbl. of C.,
_for Fisk U._
Campello. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 54.27
Coleraine. Mrs. Prudence Smith 2.50
Chicopee. Second Cong. Ch., 32.17; Mrs.
Henrietta M. Daniels, 10 42.17
Falmouth. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 45.00
Granby. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 80.00
Haverhill. G. Merrill and wife, 150; Centre
Cong. Ch. and Soc., 34; Mrs. Mary B. Jones, 10 194.00
Hopkinton. “Friends” 2.00
Housatonic. Cong. Soc. 50.56
Hubbardston. “A Friend” 4.50
Hyde Park. Heart and Hand Soc. of First Cong.
Ch., Bundle of Goods, _for Santee Agency, Neb._
Ipswich. South Cong. Ch. Sab. Sch., _for
Indian Aid, Hampton N. & A. Inst._ 50.00
Ipswich. South Cong. Ch. and Soc 20.00
Long Meadow. Gent’s Benev. Soc. 21.60
Lowell. Rodolphus Stevens 15.00
Lunenburg. “L. L. E. N.,” a Chronometer.
Mattapoisett. Cong. Ch. & Soc. 10.00
Medford. Mystic Ch. and Soc., (30 of which to
const. REV. THEOPHILUS PARSONS SAWIN L. M.,
and 30 from D. W. Wilcox to const. MISS EMMA
JOSEPHINE WILCOX, L. M.) 122.15
Middletown. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 12.00
Millbury. Second Cong. Ch. and Soc. to const.
SAMUEL N. ROGERS and ALBERT W. LINCOLN, L.
Ms. 72.35
Mill River. M. R. Wilcox 10.00
Monson. Cong. Sab. Sch., 20; Mrs. C. O.
Chapin, 5 25.00
Monterey. Cong. Ch. 8.00
Newburyport. “A Friend” 5.00
Northfield. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 7.60
Oxford. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 19.97
Peabody. “A Friend,” to const. MISS SUSANNA
MILLS, L. M. 30.00
Phillipston. D. & L. Mixter 2.00
Randolph. Miss Abbie W. Turner 10.00
Reading. “A. H. M. S.” 2.50
Revere. “A Friend,” by Mrs. A. S. Steele, _for
Orphans from Chattanooga at Tougaloo U._ 50.00
Rockport. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 33.30
Roxbury. Immanuel Ch. Sab. Sch., _for Student
Aid, Fisk U._ 30.00
Shelburne. First Cong. Soc. 83.76
South Easton. “A Friend” 20.00
South Hadley Falls. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 25.00
South Weymouth. Union Ch. and Soc. 36.64
Springfield. First Cong. Ch., 23.92; Hope
Cong. Ch. 39 62.92
Sudbury. U. E. Ch. and Soc. 20.80
Sunderland. Cong. Ch and Soc 40.00
Sunderland. “M.” 2.00
Wakefield. “Mission Workers,” _for Indian
girl, Bird’s Nest, Santee Agency_ 30.00
West Boylston. Polly W. Ames, 3; Geo. W. Ames,
2.50 5.50
West Springfield. First Cong. Ch. 20.00
Worcester. Hiram Smith and family 30.00
--------
$1,508.31

LEGACY.

Milbury. Estate of Asa Hayden, by Harriet W.
Hayden, Extx. 570.50
--------
$2,078.81

RHODE ISLAND, $584.00.

Central Falls. Cong. Ch 63.00
Little Compton. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 21.00
Providence. Geo. H. Corliss 500.00

CONNECTICUT, $3,398.82.

Berlin. Mrs. C. M. Jarvis, _for Woman’s Work_ 5.00
Bethel. Cong. Ch. 20.00
Birmingham. Cong. Sab. Sch. 5.00
Branford. H. G. Harrison 5.00
Canterbury. Westminster Cong. Ch. 4.15
Central Village. Cong. Ch. 10.00
Chester. “I. O.” 5.00
East Hampton. Cong Ch. 25.00
Fair Haven. Cong. Ch. Bbl. of C. _for
Tillotson C. & N. Inst._
Farmington. A. F. Williams, to const. CLARENCE
BROWNING VORCE, L. M. 30.00
Goshen. Cong. Ch. 14.78
Greenfield Hill. Cong. Ch., adl. 18.30
Greenwich. First Cong. Ch. Sab. Sch. 5.31
Griswold. First Cong.. Ch. 30.00
Hadlyme. R. E. Hungerford, 100: Jos. W.
Hungerford, 100; Cong. Ch., 7 207.00
Kensington. Mrs. M. Hotchkiss 5.00
New Britain. Mrs. Alonzo Astor 3.00
New Haven. Nelson Hall 50.00
Norfolk. “B.” 2.00
North Guilford. Sarah R Fowler 6.00
Norwich Town. “*. Cong. Ch.” 35.00
Plantsville. “A Friend.” 300; E. E. Stone,
100; H. D. Smith. 100; Stephen Walker, 60;
Geo. F. Smith, 25; E. W. Twichell, 25; O. W.
Stone, 20; W. S. Ward. 10; Mrs. J. C. P., 5;
C. L. Ames, 5; C. D. Smith, 5, _for Atlanta
U._ 655.00
Putnam. Ladies, _for Student Aid, Straight U._ 2.00
Ridgefield. First Cong. Ch. 32.14
Salem. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 6.00
South Britain. Cong Ch. 36.00
Stafford. Mrs. T. H. Thresher 5.00
Stamford. “A Friend ” 5.00
Terryville. Cong. Ch. 180, to const. MAGGIE
MCNAUGHTON, SUSIE BELLE GRANNIS, LURA
GENEVIEVE BUNNELL, ANNIE S. COOK and EMMA C.
L. CASTLE L. Ms.; Elizur Fenn. 5; Mrs.
Elizur Fenn, 5 190.00
Thomaston. Cong Ch. 24.46
Tolland. Cong. Ch. 13.59
Trumbull. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 16.43
Union. Cong. Ch. 2.12
West Hartford. Cong. Ch. 30.40
West Hartford. Anson Chappell 5.00
West Winsted. Second Cong. Ch. 201.27
Wethersfield. First Ch of Christ 60.59
Wolcott. Cong. Ch. 10.03
Woodstock. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 18.25
---------
$1,798.82

LEGACIES.

Goshen. Estate of Miss Sarah Beach, by Henry
Norton, Ex. 500.00
New London. Trust Estate of Henry P. Haven
(_of which_ $300 _for Talladega C._ and $200
_for Tillotson C. & N. Inst._) 850.00
Orange. Estate of Mrs. H. Coe, by L. W.
Cutler. Ex. 250.00
---------
$3,398.82

NEW YORK, $22,720.10.

Big Hollow. Nelson Hitchcock 5.00
Binghamton. Mrs. Chauncey Bean, _for Woman’s
Work_ 5.00
Blauveltville. “A Friend” 1.50
Brooklyn. Central Cong. Sab. Sch. _for
Missionaries, Fernandina, Fla._ 100.00
Clifton Springs. Rev. Lewis Bodwell 2.00
Coventryville. First Cong. Ch. 10.56
Eaton. Cong. Ch. 13.25
Hancock. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 10.00
Ithaca. First Cong. Sab. Sch., _for Theo.
Dept., Talladega C._ 35.00
New York. “Friends” 50.00
Nyack. John W. Towt 50.00
Port Byron. Sarah B. Osburn, _for Chinese M._ 0.50
Poughkeepsie. First Cong. Ch. 40.08
Sherburne. Cong. Ch. 59.41
West Groton. Cong. Ch. 19.54 Sab. Sch. 1.46 21.00
Wellsville. Cong. Ch. 22.97
Yaphank. Mrs. Hampton Overton, _for Chinese M._ 5.00
——. —— 60.08
-------
$491.35

LEGACIES.

Deansville. Estate of Mrs. Polly M. Barton, by
D. W. Barton and Jos. F. Barton, Exs. 500.00
Victor. Estate of Emeline Lewis, by D. Henry
Osborne, Ex. 21,728.75
----------
$22,720.10

NEW JERSEY, $1,110.00.

Newfield. Rev. Charles Willy 10.00
LEGACY.
Orange. Estate of John Hancock, by Exs. 1100.00
---------
$1,110.00

PENNSYLVANIA, $26.23.

Cambridgeboro. Cong. Ch., 13.23; Ladies’
Miss’y Soc. of Cong. Ch., 10 23.23
Troy. Moss Grove Sab. Sch. 3.00

OHIO, $302.87.

Adam Mills. Mrs. M. A. Smith 10.00
Ashtabula. Cong. Sab. Sch., _for Theo. Dept.,
Talladega C._ 28.20
Chatham Center. Cong. Ch. 26.37
Cincinnati. Seventh St. Cong. Ch. 51.09
Garrettsville. Cong. Ch. 12.00
Medina. Cong. Ch., to const. C. B. ABBOTT and
FRANK NETTLETON L. Ms. 75.12
Medina. Ladies Miss’y Soc. _for Talladega C.,
Freight_ 2.00
Newburg. Welsh Cong. Ch. 8.52
Oberlin. Second Cong. Ch. 20.57
Toledo. First Cong. Ch. 52.00
Wakeman. B. T. Strong 5.00
Willoughby. Mary P. Hastings 12.00

INDIANA, $10.00.

Auburn. James Adams 10.00

ILLINOIS, $508.46.

Chenoa. Cong. Ch. 13.35
Chicago. First Cong. Ch. 108.83; N. E. Cong.
Ch., 64.68; “A Friend” 50, to const. JAMES
W. PORTER L. M. 223.51
Chicago. U. P. Cong. Sab Sch., _for Student
Aid, Talladega C._ 50.00
Chicago. C. H. Morse, Scales, val. 31.75, _for
Talladega C._
Geneseo. Cong. Ch. 35.00
Hutsonville. C. V. Newton 5.00
La Harpe. Cong. Ch. 10.50
Lamoille. Cong. Ch. 24.41
Lockport. First Cong. Ch. 14.36
Newark. Horace Day 5.00
Peoria. Rev. A. A. Stevens 10.00
Prospect Park. Cong. Ch. 7.00
Roseville. L. C. Axtell 100.00
Woodburn. Cong. Ch. 10.33

MICHIGAN, $126.33.

Ann Arbor. Cong. Ch. 31.41
Benzonia. “A Friend” 10.00
Eaton Rapids. First Cong. Ch. (3 of which from
Mrs. C. C. P. Taylor) 30.92
Kalamazoo. “*” 3.00
North Leoni. Cong. Ch. 6.00
Northville. D. Pomeroy 5.00
Olivet. Wm. J. Hickok 20.00
Ransom. Ladies’ Aid Soc. of First Cong. Ch.,
_for Indian M._ 10.00
Vermontville. “A Friend” 10.00

IOWA, $272.13.

Alden. Cong. Ch. 7.40
Cedar Rapids. Mrs. T. M. Sinclair, _for a New
Mission, Poncas Indians_ 200.00
Eldora. Cong. Ch. 4.68
Grinnell. Prof. Fisk P. Brewer, _for Raleigh,
N.C._ 10.00
Le Mars. Cong. Sab. Sch. 4.61
Lewis. Cong. Ch., 13; Mrs. O. C. Warne, 5 18.00
McGregor. Woman’s Miss’y Soc. 10.44
Peterson. Cong. Ch. 2.00
Sioux Rapids. Cong. Ch. 5.00
--------
$262.13

LEGACY.

Grinnell. Estate of E. Marvin, by W. B. & J.
M. Dunn, Exrs. 10.00
------
$272.13

WISCONSIN, $359.14.

Alderley. Mrs. Anna Reid, 2.50; Mrs. E.
Hubbard, $2.50 5.00
Appleton. Ladies of Cong. Ch., 1.25; “A
Friend,” 75c., _for Lady Missionary,
Montgomery, Ala._ 2.00
Arena. Ladies of Cong. Ch., _for Lady
Missionary, Montgomery, Ala._ 2.46
Beloit. Ladies of First Cong. Ch., _for Lady
Missionary, Montgomery, Ala._ 75.85
Bristol and Paris. Ladies of Cong. Ch., _for
Lady Missionary, Montgomery, Ala._ 10.00
Fond du Lac. Ladies of Cong. Ch., _for Lady
Missionary, Montgomery, Ala._ 10.00
Janesville. Cong. Ch. 19.51
Madison. First Cong. Ch. 75.00
Milwaukee. Grand Av. Cong. Ch. 43.32
Racine. Mrs. Smith and Marsh 10.00
Whitewater. “Friends,” by Prof. A. Salisbury,
_for Reading Rooms_ 106.00

MINNESOTA, $131.27.

Afton. L. I. Olds 10.00
Minneapolis. Plymouth Ch. 41.18; Mrs. W. K.
Smith, 4.50 45.68
Northfield. Cong Ch. 56.59
Northfield. Mrs. Knowlton, 5; M. Bryant, 2; G.
M. Phillips, 2; Rev. A. Willey, 1.50; Mrs.
Norton, 1; Mrs. Nourse, 50c., _for Student
Aid, Talladega C._ 12.00
Sauk Center. Rev. J. C. Holbrook, D.D. 5.00
Springfield. Cong. Ch. 2.00

KANSAS, $34.34.

Manhattan. First Cong. Ch. 20.64
McPherson. Cong. Ch. (ad’l) 6.70
Olatne. Rev. W. W. McMillan 1.00
——. “W. H. M. S.” 6.00

MISSOURI, $17.75.

Brookfield. Cong. Ch. 7.75
Kidder. S. O. Coult 5.00
St. Louis. Mrs. R. Webb, _for Library,
Straight U._ 5.00

NEBRASKA, $11.70.

Creighton. First Cong. Ch. 6.70
Plymouth. Cong. Ch. 5.00

DAKOTA, $10.06.

Clark. Cong. Ch. 10.06

COLORADO, $10.00.

Colorado Springs. Cong. Sab. Sch. 10.00

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, $312.50.

Washington. United States Gov., _for Sisseton
Agency_ 312.50

TENNESSEE, $121.00.

Chattanooga. Sales, by Mrs. A. S. Steele, _for
Orphans from Chattanooga at Tougaloo U._ 107.00
Knoxville. Second Cong. Ch. 12.00
Nashville. Howard Chapel Cong. Ch. 2.00

NORTH CAROLINA, $5.00.

Wilmington. Cong. Ch. 5.00

SOUTH CAROLINA, $12.00.

Charleston. Plymouth Ch. 10.00
Greenwood. Coll. by Rev. L. C. J. 2.00

GEORGIA, $82.50.

Macon. Cong. Ch., 15; Mrs. Lizzie A. Hodge, 15 30.00
Savannah. Concert, Beach Inst, 32.50; Rent, 20 52.50

ALABAMA, $121.90.

Marion. Cong. Ch. 3.00
Mobile. Emerson Inst., Tuition, 2.20; Cong.
Ch., 55c. 2.75
Montgomery. Cong. Ch. 10.00
Selma. Cong Ch., 14.15; Temperance Concert,
1.75 15.90
Talladega. Talladega C. Tuition, 74.65; Cong.
Ch., 10 84.65
Talladega. A. Bingham & Co., _for Needmore
Chapel, Talladega C._ 5.60

MISSISSIPPI, $2.00.

Jackson. Collected by Chas. L. Harris. 2. 00

INCOMES, $287.85.

Avery Fund, _for Mendi M._ 257.85
Belden Fund, _for Talladega C._ 30.00

TURKEY, $50.00.

Constantinople. The Missionary Children’s
Missionary Soc. in Turkey and Bulgaria, by
Miss Belle Bliss, Treas., _for a girl,
Dakota Home_ 50.00

INDIA, $4.85.

Bombay. Women’s Benev. Sec., _for Dakota Home_ 4.85
---------
Total for August $33,333.26
Total from Oct. 1 to Aug. 31 $262,579.95
===========

FOR THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY.

Subscriptions 32.74
Previously acknowledged 739.22
-------
Total $771.96
=======

H. W. HUBBARD, Treas.,
56 Reade St., N.Y.

* * * * *

PROPOSED CONSTITUTION OF THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.

ART. I. This society to be called the American Missionary Association.

ART. II. The object of this Association shall be to conduct Christian missionary and educational operations and diffuse a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures in our own and other countries which are destitute of them, or which present open and urgent fields of effort.

ART. III. Members may be constituted for life by the payment of thirty dollars into the treasury of the Association, with the written declaration at the time or times of payment that the sum is to be applied to constitute a designated person a life member; and such membership shall begin sixty days after the payment shall have been completed.

Every church which has within a year contributed to the funds of the Association and every State Conference or Association of such churches may appoint two delegates to the Annual Meeting of the Association; such delegates, duly attested by credentials, shall be members of the Association for the year for which they were thus appointed.

ART. IV. The Annual Meeting of the Association shall be held in the month of October or November, at such time and place as may be designated by the Executive Committee, by notice printed in the official publication of the Association for the preceding month.

ART. V. The officers of the Association shall be a President, five Vice-Presidents, a Corresponding Secretary or Secretaries, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, Auditors, and an Executive Committee of fifteen members, all of whom shall be elected by ballot.

At the first Annual Meeting after the adoption of this Constitution, five members of the Executive Committee shall be elected for the term of one year, five for two years and five for three years, and at each subsequent Annual Meeting, five members shall be elected for the full term of three years, and such others as shall be required to fill vacancies.

ART. VI. To the Executive Committee shall belong the collecting and disbursing of funds, the appointing, counseling, sustaining and dismissing of missionaries and agents, and the selection of missionary fields. They shall have authority to fill all vacancies in office occurring between the Annual Meetings; to apply to any Legislature for acts of incorporation, or conferring corporate powers; to make provision when necessary for disabled missionaries and for the widows and children of deceased missionaries, and in general to transact all such business as usually appertains to the Executive Committees of missionary and other benevolent societies. The acts of the Committee shall be subject to the revision of the Annual Meeting.

Five members of the Committee constitute a quorum for transacting business.

ART. VII. No person shall be made an officer of this Association who is not a member of some evangelical church.

ART. VIII. Missionary bodies and churches or individuals may appoint and sustain missionaries of their own, through the agency of the Executive Committee, on terms mutually agreed upon.

ART. IX. No amendment shall be made to this Constitution except by the vote of two-thirds of the members present at an Annual Meeting, the amendment having been approved by the vote of a majority at the previous Annual Meeting.

* * * * *

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