There is one thing more that I would mention. It is the radical method which this Association has adopted in doing its work. It has never been satisfied with surface culture. It strikes down to the roots of character. Not "quantity," but "quality," is manifestly its motto. As an illustration of intelligent thoroughness in Christian service, therefore, this Association commends itself to our regard.
A decided advance was marked in missionary work when the church came to see that not only the conversion of the heathen, but their establishment in Christian character, was a legitimate object of missionary endeavor. Francis Xavier in ten years visited fifty kingdoms and baptized a million converts, but the ten years' labor of some of our modern missionaries, spent in laying solid foundations and thoroughly training a few chosen men, may, after all, come to more in its permanent results upon the world, than all that was done by Rome's great apostle. Jesus gave the best part of his three years of public ministry to the training of twelve men. He might have baptised a million. He preferred to do thorough work with a few. This Association has acted upon this principle. It has sought to develop manhood and womanhood after the pattern and by the power that is in Jesus Christ. It calls to its aid every possible force. It educates the mind, the heart, the conscience, the hand. It uses the church, the school, the workshop and the Christian home. Character-building is its vocation, the foundation Jesus Christ, the superstructure such as should stand the test of fire. These oppressed races need above all things else leaders from among themselves. It has been the endeavor of this Society to furnish them—men and women of such moral and mental quality as shall be fitted for the responsible position. They have been taught to think, to work and to live. Because labor is a moral force in establishing character, industrial education is introduced. Nothing is too great to be attempted, nothing too trivial to be omitted, the object always being the substantial development of moral and Christian character.
Such is this mission. It has gone forth in the spirit of Christ, with faith and love and consecration, seeking to do an honest work with thoroughness. God's blessing has been upon it. It has results to show in the renovated and ennobled lives of thousands who have been the subjects of its ministry; and its broader influence in the elevation of the oppressed and despised races, begins even now to be clearly apparent. It has been a faithful monitor to the churches which have sustained it, an inspirer of their benevolence, an almoner of their gifts, and an honor to their name. And beyond all this, standing for those principles which are most essential and fundamental in Christianity, it has glorified God by exhibiting to the world the power of Christian faith and sacrifice. Those who have been bound of Satan, lo, these many years, are loosed from their bonds and made free in Christ. War has struck off the chains of human bondage. Love shall now complete the emancipation.
THE SOUTH.
"NOTES IN THE SADDLE."
BY REV. C.J. RYDER, DISTRICT SECRETARY.