FINANCIAL.
When this number of the Missionary reaches our readers, our fiscal year (closing Sept. 30) will be nearly ended. By careful economy for two years past, we kept our current expenses within our receipts, and we hope that the receipts of this month will make this the third year in which our expenditures will not add a dollar to our debt.
Our debt is now our great solicitude. Last year it was reduced, by the sale of stocks, etc., from $93,232.99 to $62,816.90. This year we have received to September 1, in cash, $14,108.22, and in pledges (partly conditioned) $7,550, making $21,658.22, thus reducing the amount—if the pledges are paid—to $41,158.68. Shall not an effort, so nobly begun, be pushed forward to completion?
We feel called upon, as never before, to urge the wiping out of this debt. We have retrenched in office expenses, and have been very guarded in annual appropriations, that it might be paid. Generous doners have given liberally—some of their abundance—more of their poverty—and the amount is reduced within grasp. We have rejoiced that the liberality of the churches and individuals have, in one month, by special efforts, well-nigh relieved a sister society—the honored American Board—of a balance on its annual appropriation of $80,000. A little more than half that amount, if given to the A. M. A., will pay off the remainder of a debt that has hung upon it as an incubus for ten years. The payment of that debt will honor the cause of the Master; it will unfetter our hands; it will cheer us and our friends for future work; it will be a boon to the ignorant and needy masses for whom we labor. We appeal to the wealthy, the liberal, the self-denying, to all who love God and His poor, to make a final effort, by special gifts, to reach an object so near at hand and so important.
Our books will be closed promptly Sept. 30, for current receipts and expenditures, but for receipts for debt they will be kept open till after the Annual Meeting; and we trust that meeting will have the joy and glory of announcing the complete extinction of the debt.