think perhaps simple 'stick to it' has been my greatest achievement." A very encouraging letter from Mrs. W. M. Isaacs, President of New York City Branch, says, "Our number has increased, and contributions are larger than last year. We are actively engaged in raising our part of the $50,000 for Missionary Training School Building. We have a very able committee in charge of the work." A communication was presented from Rev. H. C. Woods, D.D., Superintendent of Missions, concerning work in Colorado; also from Mrs. G. S. Abbott, of Oakland, California, some extracts in reply to letters of inquiry. From Philadelphia Union we learn that Mrs. McCollin has, at the urgent importunity of the nominating committee, and the membership of the Union generally, consented to resume the office of President. She will be kindly relieved of some of the most arduous routine work that has hitherto made the position one of great labor, as well as responsibility. All listen eagerly to the latest tidings from our ab. sent Corresponding Secretary. Her letter, written at San Francisco, speaks of surely returning health, and interesting meetings with our missionaries, Misses Booth and Haystron, also with Baptist representatives in the State. She refers to the need of increased laborers, and endorses the application already pending for the appointment of an assistant for Miss Booth. She says: "I would like to write you of some experiences in Chinatown, and am asking the Lord that when ability to use my voice and pen return I may be permitted to plead for these heathen in our land as never before." Applications for admission to the Training School were considered. These were from Canada, West Virginia, and Washington, D. C. Matters of importance concerning various mission stations were introduced, and referred to the Missionary Committee for adjustment. Reports of Committees were called, and through their chairmen responses were made from those on Organization, giving plan for visiting churches during the coming summer; on Training School Building, showing encouraging progress; on Training School curriculum and present conduct. The usual corps of instructors are doing faithful work. Rev. Mr. Thames consents to give lessons on parliamentary practice; how to organize and conduct deliberative assemblies. And the Committee finds the field work of industrial and Sabbath schools in successful operation. Brief reports were heard from Committees on Literature, Finance, and Correspondence. Mention was made of the recent death of Mrs. Edward G. Mitchell, one of the pioneers in the Society in this city. Also of Rev. H. Woodsmall, a man of Christ-like spirit in his untiring labors and broad sympathies. Many heartfelt expressions of appreciation were given, and all joined in the verses of "Shall We Gather at the River ?" The refrain was sung with peculiar tenderness and hope: "Yes, we'll gather at the river, that flows by the throne of God." Arrangements for the approaching anniversaries at Washington were referred to a special Committee, with power. WOMAN'S AMERICAN BAPTIST HOME MISSION SOCIETY. 14 TREMONT TEMPLE, BOSTON, MASS. President-MRS. THOMAS NICKERSON, Newton Centre, Mass. Vice-President-MRS. ANNA SARGENT HUNT, Augusta, Maine. Corresponding Secretary-MRS. M. C. Reynolds, Wallingford, Conn. Treasurer-MISS MARGARET MCWHINNIE, 14 Tremont Temple, Boston, Mass. During the past few months the ladies of Clarendon Street Church, Boston, have decided to assume the entire support of a teacher in some new field in the West. Miss Julia M. Hill, of Western New York, has been chosen by the ladies as their teacher, and she has begun her work about two miles from Ogden, Utah. We very gladly welcome Miss Hill as one of our workers, and pray that she may be successful in her new field of labor. Miss Mary Berkley writes a very interesting letter, describing the new school-house, which is so much enjoyed by the people of Salt Lake City. Miss Berkley speaks in highest terms of Miss Pearce's work. In closing her letter she writes: "I would like to give you the history of each pupil. I often wonder what their future will be. Mormon, apostate, Gentile, Catholic-all together in school. I some. times wonder how they reconcile in their young minds the opposite teachings which they receive at home and at school. How short seems the time in which to sow seed! I would feel discouraged if it were not for the words, God giveth the increase.'" We are sure that the seed sown by our faithful workers in Utah will in the future spring up and bear fruit abundantly. Would that it were possible to open Christian schools all over that fair Territory! Mrs. G. T. Genung, writing from Columbia, S. C., says: "Well, the old term ended, and the new one is fairly begun. The school is full to overflowing. A few of our advanced pupils left at the end of the year to teach, but many new ones came in, so we were forced to reseat the chapel, putting in many new seats, and yet there is not room. Still they come. We teachers are all burdened. We cannot do half we would do with our large classes. Here are nearly two hundred pupils to be cared for by only three teachers, besides President Becker, whose hands are so full, with all the cares of the institution upon him, he never gives himself a moment of rest. Mrs. Becker, with her seventy-nine girls, is indeed doing a great work. She is laying a foundation of character that will tell in time to come. If you could only see some of these girls when they first come here, entirely uncultivated, without the slightest idea of what a home is, and see them again after they have been here a few months, you would hardly believe they were the same girls. They are receiving a grand Christian training. They are also being taught not only in theory, but in practice, to become good home keepers. Their rooms are models of neatness. But better than all this even, above it all, the Lord is present with us. We commenced our new term with a Week of Prayer,' and, as it has been so many times before, the Lord heard and answered the pray. ers of His children, and in a remarkable manner. Since the 1st of February there has been scarcely a meeting in which some one has not been converted. A great deal of personal work has been done. Often they go from room to room, working with those who are not Christians. One night last week they asked permission to have a meeting after the retiring bell had rung. We heard singing, and Mr. Genung went up to the third floor, and there they were, a company on their knees, alternately praying and singing. The singing was particularly weird and sweet in the dark and quiet of a large building. One would sing or intone a line, and the others would join in the refrain,Feel like a motherless child,' over and over again. That is just what so many of them seem like. Poor, motherless children they are indeed! A large number of our brightest and best young men and women are rejoicing over a new-found Saviour." These interesting letters from our workers, speak ing of the overflowing school-rooms, but confirms the statement so often made that more teachers are needed, rather than more scholars. We need money for teachers' salaries, so that the overburdened teachers may be relieved. Nearly all our schools are crowded, and many are turned away for want of room. The work at Spelman Seminary is progressing successfully, in spite of many inconveniences. All will be glad when the new building will be ready for occupancy. The burden carried by the devoted principals has been indeed heavy. A gentleman from Gainesville, Ga., visited this school not long since, and in a private letter expressed his great pleasure in its work. He writes: "I was a member of a Board of Education in the city of Camden, N. J., for eight years, and I will say that in visiting schools in all parts of the United States, not colored, but white, I have never seen a school so well managed and under such perfect discipline as Spelman Seminary. I was particularly impressed with the eagerness of the pupils; they seemed to want to get at the bottom of everything, and to do this would ask questions without any reluctance. I was completely charmed with their singing, and much pleased with the young lady in instrumental music." These words |