By Prof. J.H. Ewell, D.D.
The American Missionary Association was obliged to reduce the appropriation for our work by one-fourth this year. This has occasioned so much extra work, care, and anxiety, but the good hand of our Heavenly Father has been upon us, and the teachers have increased their hours in the classroom, and kind friends and churches have lent a helping hand. Grateful mention should be made of large assistance from the First Congregational Church, of Washington, and of aid from young churches with heavy burdens upon them. One devoted and steadfast friend who gave according to her power, yea, gave beyond her power; whose means were small, but whose charities were large, because she spent so little upon herself, Miss Mary F. Andrews, of Millbury, has been called home during the year. Who will take her place? I wish there were space to speak of all who have co-operated with us by giving. Almost every gift has some association that has made it specially cheering.
Our Anniversary Exercises received the heartiest commendation. The class numbered eight more than four years previously. We are greatly encouraged by the good work that our graduates are doing. May the Lord reward all of our beloved supporters! We always pray for them and for the Association, and for all our varied workers under its auspices, and we ask especially that all who are interested in our work will pray for us that Charles Wesley's petition may be fulfilled in us,
"Write Thy new name upon my heart,
Thy best new name of Love."
LINCOLN ACADEMY, KING'S MOUNTAIN, N.C.M
By Rev. A.W. Curtis.
Lincoln Academy is beautiful for situation, in the midst of groves of young pine, on a considerable plateau sloping southward, overlooking the valley of a little creek with the grand old mountain towering above them on the farther side. A quiet restful spot removed from the temptations of town life, four miles from the village station; just the place for the great family home school which I found on this occasion, Wednesday night, busy as bees preparing for the great event of the year. The boys had put up a brush arbor in the grove near by, and provided plenty of plank seats beneath.
We had a rousing Christian Endeavor meeting that night, the last of the session. All of the students belong to the Senior or Junior branch, and with the schedule topic, "The Widening of Christ's Kingdom," brought home and made personal, "What can I do to extend Christ's Kingdom during this vacation?" Many very practical talks were given, and many pledges of best endeavor to this end in the home life or where they were expecting to teach through the summer. Strange noises were heard during the night, which the morning light explained by the covered wagons, prairie schooners we would call them at the West, which had come in and camped out near the spring. As the hour approached a perfect string of nondescript vehicles bringing the whole family, and many others on muleback or on foot, came pouring in from near and far, until by 10 A.M. nearly one thousand people had gathered in and around the arbor; some of them coming from thirty to fifty miles overland.