Our annual meeting discouraged, for the present at least, a movement for the establishment of a mission in China, under the auspices of this Association, and in this it accorded with the recommendations of the Executive Committee. But something may ultimately be done in this direction, and that our friends may know more at length the facts in the case we publish in this Missionary, Brother Pond’s earnest plea in its behalf.
A GOOD WAY TO DO IT.
A few months since, the cause of this Association was presented to a church in Central New York, after which the minister in charge addressed the congregation substantially as follows: “Every family belonging to this church must wish to give, according to its ability, to the cause which has been so clearly and ably presented. In order that this may be brought about, I have placed a slip of paper in each pew, and desire that each family present subscribe the amount it will give, and state when the money will be ready. At the close of the service I will gather the slips, and compare them with the church-roll. If any families have not responded, I will take a carriage, if need be, and, before the close of the week, call on those whose names have not been handed in, so no one shall fail to have an opportunity for assisting in the great work of advancing the Redeemer’s Kingdom.” The result was a cheerful and liberal donation, made up probably from all the families in the church. The clergyman who adopted this thorough and self-denying plan was a pastor from Nebraska, on an exchange for a few months with an Eastern brother. It fell out that he had trained his Western church in the method described above, until all its members cheerfully rejoiced in it, and put it into practice on all occasions when money was to be raised for either home or foreign objects. So that, although his church numbered but eighty-five, its contributions to benevolent objects exceeded those of any other Congregational church in the State. Moreover, this was not brought about by neglect of things needful at home. A new organ was purchased at a cost of $1,000, the money being raised by the same method. The blessing of Heaven was not withheld; seasons of revival strengthened the church, and its membership at present is over a hundred. The perseverance and fidelity of the pastor were not overlooked. Where every one was schooled to give, it was an easy matter to gather what was wanted to purchase a beautiful gold watch as a Christmas present for the minister. The appreciation of pastor and people was mutual—so much so that the church was able to retain its minister, though he was repeatedly called to other places, where a larger salary was offered.
We commend the example of this clergyman and his people to the large number of devoted pastors who are always prayerfully seeking for—“A good way to do it.”
JOHN BROWN MEMORIAL STEAMER.
We call attention once more to the John Brown steamer. Scarcely a day passes that we do not receive contributions for it, and yet, as the sums are small, it will require much more to furnish the amount needed. As to the value of the steamer we give below a letter from the Rev. Geo. Thompson. No man in the world is a better judge than he of its necessity for the use of the mission. He was for many years a missionary at the Mendi Mission, was indefatigable in his labors, made wide explorations in the regions round-about, exerted a vast and wholesome influence over the people, exposed himself to the dangers of the climate, and only gave up the work on which his heart was so much set after the failure of the health of his family. His gift, so large in his circumstances, for the John Brown steamer is as strong an attestation of his appreciation of its worth, as his earnest and eloquent words. Read his letter and help us to complete the amount.
Dear Bro.—I notice the intention to build a steamer for the Mendi Mission; Glory to God! My heart rejoices. This, more than almost any other human means, will help the mission. I well know the need of such a craft, having been back and forth so many times in canoes, sometimes old, leaky ones, and my wife and many others have suffered greatly in those long and rough canoe voyages from and to Sierra Leone, often terrible and dangerous. Speed the steamer, and may the blessing of the Lord rest upon the enterprise.