There is work enough in our outlook and encouragement to do it. We would remind our readers as well as ourselves, that the year which is most full of sacrifice and service for the Master, is most sure of all to be A Happy New Year.
OUR APPEAL FOR 1879.
Our friends are thoroughly informed of the fact that our debt of late has been rapidly diminishing. We are sorry to say that the same thing is true of our income. That, too, has been growing less. We learn that this is true, also, of our sister societies. They, also, have noticed a falling off in their revenues. We do not like to make much ado over our troubles; but we have been very frank in acknowledging our mercies, and we owe it to the work, and to those who sustain it, to tell them our perplexities as well.
Our receipts for the last two months have been very inadequate for the work we have in hand. What does this mean to us with this outlook for 1879? Does it signify withdrawal from fields already under cultivation? Already the Executive Committee have had under serious advisement two cases, in which it was necessary either to stop fruitful work at important points or spend a little more money. Retrenchment is easier to talk of than to accomplish. It costs as much sometimes to stop as to go on. A temporary suspension is sometimes more expensive than continuous work. Our teachers are engaged and our buildings are prepared for the year. Shall we stop the whole machinery of a great factory to save the price of the gas which lights it? That would be ruinous economy indeed.
But we do not seriously believe that the friends of the three most needy races on our continent have lost heart, or hope, or means, to carry out the generous plans they have devised. These last months of 1878 have been trying alike to them and to us. Our plea is only this, that, with the new year (if the debt be not by that time altogether a thing of the past), there may be a fresh and final attack upon that enemy of our peace; and more even than this, that there may be a fuller and a steadier flow of the Lord’s money into our treasury for the wants of the work of 1879.
We are happy to say that a goodly number of ladies whom we have asked to assume the responsibility of raising a share of $25, towards the payment of our debt, have replied favorably. The following extract from a letter sent us by one who has been abundant in her efforts for the Freedmen, indicates the enthusiasm and thankfulness with which some of the ladies respond:
Your kind letter of November 26th found me watching in the sick room of my brother; but my heart went right up to God in gratitude that I was not forgotten by the officers of the A. M. A., and that they still think I can do something to help on this great work. I have never ceased to be interested in the work in all its length and breadth, and to do what little I can for it. The debt has occupied much of my thought. I have wanted to do something to help pay it beyond the little I could give myself. Now that I can go out under your guardianship, I will be one of two hundred to raise one share ($25), and as much more as I can. I am sure the debt will soon be paid. There should be no lack of funds to carry on this work. It is very strange our nation cannot see it and feel it too.