NOTES FROM NEW ENGLAND.
By District Secretary C.J. Ryder, Boston, Mass.
TWO WAYS OF DOING IT.
"So you have come! Well! I don't know but it is just as favorable a time as any. Still, we are in a very pinched condition. We have a debt that we have carried for ten years and have scarcely been able to pay the interest. The parsonage is in a desperate condition, and we are very far from comfortable in it. Secretary Hood was here two months ago, and he stirred the people up and took all that ought to be given to any of our Benevolent Societies. Then, a month ago, Puddefoot was here, and you know he sweeps in everything that can possibly be reached. I sometimes think that he awakens too much interest, and that the churches give too large collections. Our women are all interested in the American Board, and will not feel like doing much for the American Missionary Association Still, it is the time for our annual collection, and I think no harm can come from an address on the A.M.A. work to-morrow. We are very glad to see you."
This is one way.
"How do you do, dear old friend? I declare, it seems as if I had known you a life-time. I am ever so glad you could come and speak to my church to-morrow. We need stirring up tremendously. Although my people are a large-hearted, generous people, they are so much absorbed with our own interests here, that I fear sometimes they do not appreciate the larger work done through the Benevolent Societies. Secretary Creegan was here a little while ago and took away a splendid collection, but he left a lot of ripe grain to be gathered in the harvest of some other society. Then, dear old Puddefoot came here and rattled the dry bones till he made living men and women out of some of the skeletons. He took away one of the largest checks that ever went from our congregation to any benevolent cause. Secretary Maile presented the work of the College and Education Society in such a way as to rouse the people to a sense of its great importance. We are wonderfully glad to see you and you see are all ready for another ingathering to-morrow. These brethren have left more than they took away in money, and have enlarged the scope of vision of a good many people. They see the importance and the growing needs of these Mission fields, as never before. Put in your best blows to-morrow. Don't be afraid that you will take anything away that ought to remain in the community; that isn't possible. God bless you in the splendid work the A.M.A. is doing!"
Now, brethren, these are two typical ways of meeting the collecting Secretary when he calls.
Which is the better way?
WHAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND CHILDREN ARE DOING THROUGH THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
The readers of this department of the AMERICAN MISSIONARY magazine will remember that some time ago the Busy Bees in the First Church in Dover, N.H., contributed money enough to furnish the nucleus of a greatly needed Reference Library at Gregory Institute, Wilmington, N.C. This was the beginning of several such movements on the part of the young people and children. The Y.P.S.C.E. of Dorchester contributed a goodly sum for the establishment of such a library at Grand View, Tenn. A gift toward the work in Alaska comes from the Y.P.S.C.E. at Dedham. A good many Sunday-schools have also contributed both to the general fund and to special objects. In Gorham, Maine, the children were greatly interested in the Stereopticon Exhibition, which was conducted by our faithful missionary, Rev. S.E. Lathrop. Three of them determined to give something substantial to this work. In order to raise money, they held a Fair, making with their own hands many of the articles that were for sale. This resulted in a considerable amount, which was supplemented by a gift from the Sunday-school to constitute one of these children, Robert Hinkley, a boy eight years of age, a Life Member of the American Missionary Association. Is he not the youngest Life Member of our Association? Cannot we have some letters from our friends giving the ages of children who are Life Members? If any feel disposed to "beat the record" by the payment of thirty dollars, they can confer this honor upon their baby boy or girl. One baby in New England, at least, has contributed to the work among the millions of neglected children, just by being born. The father, a pastor of one of our churches, hands into the treasury each year one dollar for each pound the baby weighs. When this is known, there will be many of our missionaries who will be praying for the health and rapid growth of that baby!
In Melrose, also, the "Golden Rule Mission Band" are helping our great work, and at the same time gaining an intelligent knowledge of this field. At the beginning of the summer one dollar and twenty-five cents was distributed among them, each one taking five cents. This was the seed from which they reaped a harvest of twenty-six dollars. The following are some of the methods by which they secured this remarkable result. One little girl bought flower-seeds and raised flowers which she sold, and made five dollars from her five cents. Another made candy and sold it. A little boy had a peanut stand, and one little fellow earned his money by "going without things." Could not older people follow his example? It suggests Thoreau's epigram, "Your wealth is measured by the number of things you can go without;" or, better yet, Paul's magnificent words, "poor, yet making many rich." This little fellow has hit upon the real principle of success, whether the life is spent in a field of active missionary work, or in "doing without things" for Christ's sake, that His name may be proclaimed, and that His kingdom may come.