"If a person has eight or ten thousand dollars which he would like to devote to some good object, where would you advise him to give it?"
To this the Secretary promptly replied: "To the American Missionary
Association, of course."
"All right," said the gentleman, "but to what special purpose would you advise it to be applied?"
"Our great need," said the Secretary, "is to meet current expenses, and I would advise that it be devoted to that."
A little further conversation revealed the pleasant fact that the gentleman had that sum of money at his disposal, but that he had a very decided wish that it should be used for the erection of permanent buildings. The Secretary suggested the obvious fact that added plant meant increased expense, and that we hardly dared to promise to meet that.
"But," said the gentleman, "are there not places in your work where new buildings are greatly needed?"
"Most assuredly," the Secretary replied, "there are many places where such buildings are needed."
He was asked to give details, which he did.
Among the schools mentioned by him was one in which the scholars were inadequately provided with dormitory and recitation room facilities, and where the industries were crowded into old cabins and attic rooms.
After hearing these details, our visitor, who is a judicious and prosperous business man as well as a benevolent Christian, said, "These new buildings are needed. I offer you the money for the two buildings at the place you have last named. I know it will increase somewhat your current expenses, but can't you trust the churches to come to your help?"