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.
OUR ANNUAL MEETING.
The Thirty-second Annual Meeting of the American Missionary Association will be held in the Broadway Congregational Church, Taunton, Mass., October 29–31. The meeting will be organized on Tuesday, at three o’clock P. M., and at half-past seven o’clock in the evening the annual sermon will be preached by Rev. S. E. Herrick, D. D., of Boston. On Wednesday, papers will be read by Rev. George Leon Walker, D. D., and others. Wednesday evening will be occupied with addresses and reminiscences by present and former missionaries of the A. M. A. Thursday will be devoted to reports of committees and discussions of the work.
The meeting will close Thursday evening, with addresses from able and distinguished speakers, to be named hereafter.
The people of Taunton will undertake to entertain all the friends who may attend the meetings. Those desiring hospitality can address Charles H. Atwood, Esq., until Sept. 20th. Return cards, assigning places, will be duly sent.
THE ROMAN CATHOLICS AMONG THE FREEDMEN.
The Independent closes a careful and, in the main, accurate summary of the work of Christian education among the negroes, with a view of what the Roman Catholics are doing. After speaking of the large estimates of money expended, and pupils taught by that church, it says: