The State Unions organized in the South have begun their growth in the right direction. The Union of Louisiana shows its right to live by the following words from its Treasurer: "I have just had the privilege of sending off three postal orders, $8.00 to the A.M.A., $7.00 to the A.H.M.S., and $3.00 to the W.B.M.I., which at least is a beginning. We hope the little acorn planted last April may yet be a grand live oak."
The following from one of the auxiliaries of the Union of Tennessee and Kentucky is also cheering. "The inclosed $6.00 is an offering of our Ladies' Missionary Society of Trinity Congregational Church to the American Missionary Association, the first fruits, financially, of the little organization. Be assured the small gift is accompanied with large-hearted gratitude for the work of the Association in elevating the colored people, and earnest prayers for the continued success of the Association in its beneficent work in every field."
MICHIGAN,—"We have we think, a model Missionary Society in our church. We take up the study of our six great Societies and give two months to each, just preceding our church collection for the same cause. We study them as thoroughly as possible and our collections for the two months go to the object of our study. November and December are A.M.A. months with us. At our meeting this week we had reports from the Chicago meeting. We always aim to have at least one leaflet to put into each family once a month—on the study we are on—hoping in this way to gain the attention of those not interested."
A Novel Dish.
A barrel of clothing recently sent from Putney and Dummerston, Vermont, received its first installment of gifts from a Christmas plum pudding, which formed a part of the Christmas exercises. A wash-tub was covered with brown paper to represent a pudding. At the proper time a young man dressed to represent a cook, with white cap and apron, and wand of office, entered the room followed by two boys, also in white caps and aprons, and carrying a pudding dish. Placing this in the center of the platform, the chief cook advanced to the front, and after appropriate words of greeting and of explanation, the assistants passed down the aisles and gathered the various ingredients, or "plums" which the audience had brought. When ready it was started on its way to the South. We venture to say it will last longer and do more good than any plum pudding that ever was served.
Our Many-sided Missionary Work.
One of our efficient ladies, Principal of a large school embracing the grades from primary to the high school and normal department, and in which the scholastic standard is creditably maintained, writes as follows:
"Our school is on the whole in good condition. The teachers are earnest, efficient and united. The students are of a better average than ever before. There has been a healthful religious interest all the year. During the past two weeks there have been several conversions in every room, (unless, perhaps, in the primary). Every room has had some religious services conducted by the teachers. A few union services were held, attended by those interested. These were mostly conducted by Miss B. In Miss S.'s room the conversions are very hopeful young men and women.