Brethren, let us move for a “Missionary Day” in our conferences, and put the Missionary Societies under requisition for the very best material they can furnish to kindle a fire of missionary enthusiasm in our churches. The Sabbath following this Worcester meeting was spent by Mr. Woodworth in Worcester, Mr. Cutler in Gardner in the morning, and with his former charge in Athol, in the evening; while I went to Keene, New Hampshire, and spent the day with my old Seminary class-mate, Rev. Cyrus Richardson. His sensitive regard for my physical well-being, led him to let me off with three preaching services, at all of which I had to talk A. M. A. and all the time. The evening meeting was a crowded union service, Rev. Mr. Leech coming over with his people in full force, showing that the churches of Keene have a warm place in their hearts for missionary work among the despised races in America.
By previous arrangement, we were to again unite our forces at Buckland, near Sherburne Falls, on Monday afternoon; but
“The best laid schemes o’ mice and men gang aft agley.”
Mr. Woodworth failed to start, Mr. Cutler missed his train, and I found myself dumped at a station, marked Buckland in the railway guide, three miles away from the town, and the only living creature I discovered, from which to get directions what to do and where to go, was a poor little cat that came bounding to my side, purring out as plainly as anything could be said—“I am glad to see you.” After a brief interchange of the compliments of the season, I buttoned my overcoat, adjusted my satchel, and started up the only road it was possible to take, and in the only direction possible—for the road terminated at a river, on the bank of which stood the depot. It proved to be the right way. How easy it would be to get along if the right way was the only way in which we could go! As I drew near the village, the cheery notes of the church bell rung out their merry call, while well-filled carriages, whirling along in the direction of the church, told me that the people were evidently interested in missions. I was on hand, and in time. A fine audience had gathered; but my brethren, where were they? Well, they did not come; that was all I knew, and in their absence I did the best I could. The gift of continuance was given me in copious plenteousness, and the time was exhausted before I was. I failed to notice, however, whether my audience was not also exhausted. The next day the disjecta membra came together again at Sherburne Falls, and henceforth to the close kept together.
And now as I review this entire series of meetings, the question comes—have they been profitable? Others, I presume, will ask the same question, and therefore I take a brief space to answer it as I may be able. The object we had in view was, first, to impart information concerning the work of the American Missionary Association, and to discuss its claims upon the churches, to the end that the receipts of its treasury might be increased, and its work correspondingly strengthened; and, secondly, that the distinctive missionary nature of our work might have a more prominent place in the religious thought of the churches, and thus become a factor in the development of such Christian life as has a tender regard for those who are despised and poor and oppressed. So far, then, as our object is concerned, we must wait for time to bring an answer, but the meetings themselves developed certain data out of which we can construct an answer. The data are these: First, while no contributions were asked for or taken from the congregation, individuals, self-moved, have handed to us considerable money that otherwise would not have come into our treasury, while pledges have been made of amounts far more than sufficient to meet the expense of both campaigns. Secondly, I took occasion to ask nearly all the ministers, and, so far as I could, the leading men attending the meetings, the question—“In your judgment has it paid for us three men to come here and hold this meeting?” And without exception the answer has been, “Yes,” and in the majority of cases the additional remark, “I wish it were so you could come again.” With this testimony, and personal knowledge of the general interest of the meetings, I can only answer the question raised in the affirmative, with the strong conviction that time will confirm its correctness.
[From the Fisk Expositor.]
AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
Great honor is due George Peabody, because he donated to the South, for the purposes of general education, upwards of three millions of dollars, the interest of which is to be appropriated to the work of developing the school systems of the various States.