A BRIEF VIEW OF THE SITUATION.
The gift of Mrs. Stone of $150,000 for new buildings at Fisk, Atlanta, Talladega, and New Orleans; the new educational institution at Austin, Texas, and our new churches organized the past year at the South, make additional demands upon our treasury. The churches should not be left to a feeble struggle for life, but be aided to a vigorous growth. The additional facilities at the schools mentioned, and the new institution in Texas, mean an increased number of students to be aided, and increased expense for teachers, for insurance, repairs and other incidentals. Our work among the Chinese in California calls urgently for enlargement; in fact, the continued existence of such a work means continued growth with increased expenditures.
A great pressure has been brought to bear upon us to do more for the education of Indian youth; but the work cannot be done without money. The success, however, at Carlisle and Hampton indicates clearly the hopefulness of doing much more. Mr. Arthington, of Leeds, England, has paid over £3,000, and British Christians have given a like amount, for a new mission on the Upper Nile, in East Central Africa; but the opening of the Arthington Mission will require $10,000 annually for its support.
It will be seen by these statements that the entrance to our different fields of labor has been thrown open more widely. We must settle the question as to whether we shall enter; but to enter means continued and efficient occupancy. “Occupy till I come” is the command of the Great Teacher. The gate is not open to a haven of rest, but to a field of labor, and additional labor calls for additional expense. Nothing short of an increase of 25 per cent. of the income of the Association will be adequate to meet the increased demands. The pastors and officers of the churches are our most effectual helpers in raising the amount required. Will they not come to our relief right early? The people will give of their means if the work and its wants are properly presented to them; and if God has set before us these open doors, surely He will add His blessing as we enter.