enecks come the regular first quarter checks of the New Year and then the second, the third and the fourth quarter and lo, it is the Christmas appeal again! So it goes, the endless round from the new to the old and from the old to the new. This is because we must live on, year in and year out. When one dies another takes his place. The halting, hesitating marchers go by in an ever increasing procession. When any of the usual donors die, we must find others to take their places. As the number in the noble procession increases we must D An Important Notice ! ONATIONS under the apportionment intended for 1919, will be received and so credited, up to and including January 10th, 1920. Will the church treasurers please take notice that their remittances must be mailed not later than the 10th of January in order to receive this credit. All the friends of the aged ministers will rejoice to know that the Board has been able during 1919 to add to the regular annual grants, twenty-five per cent, except that the maximum in any case could not exceed four hundred dollars. Of this amount ten per cent was sent in the quarterly check which went out October first, and the remaining fifteen per cent was sent out about the middle of December. When there is added to this increase the Christmas check, it will be seen that the Board has put forth its utmost efforts, to the very limit of its resources, to help those who are on its roll, to meet the serious increase of the cost of living during the year 1919. 1918 1919.. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF CURRENT RECEIPTS Increase THE CONGREGATIONAL WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY FEDERATION THE PILGRIM GIFT BOX During the past year frequent requests have come to the Federation office for a mite box that should represent an offering to homeland missions as a whole, and not simply to the work of one society. As a result of these requests and of the answers returned to the questionaire sent out by the Federation last fall, the Homeland Societies have united in issuing a Pilgrim Gift Box which will be ready for distribution, without charge, by January 1st. The box is of compact and convenient size, is printed in blue on white and is decorated with a medallion of the Mayflower printed in three colors. Orders may be sent to the Federation office, or to the office of any of the National Homeland Societies. OUR CONGREGATIONAL Societies who are using "Christian Americanization" should not overlook the excellent material contained in our Congregational Supplement to the book. Here, in compact form, is presented an analysis of what each of our National Societies is doing along this important line. The work in which our Unions are particularly interested is considered under the heading "Wide Horizons." Societies not using the textbook will also find in this volume valuable material to use in preparing their programs. The price of the Supplement is twenty cents and orders may be sent to the Federation or to any of the Homeland Societies. If you have not seen the book, do not fail to procure it. B "FORWARD MOVEMENT" PLANS Y the time this number of THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY reaches its readers, the plans for our great denominational "Forward Movement" will be under way. Projected under the inspiration of the National Council gathering at Grand Rapids this movement aims to secure during the next five years an expansion and enrichment of our whole denominational life. Although it is not yet possible to speak in full detail of all the phases of the movement, its main points can be indicated at this time. The objectives of this "Forward Movement" are directly related to the goals of our Tercentenary program. Under the leadership of the Commission on Evangelism, renewed efforts will be made to win an increasing number of our churches to active and aggressive efforts along this line. Closely associated with this endeavor will be the call to specific and united prayer on the part of our entire fellowship for the ongoing of the Kingdom of God. Christian stewardship will be emphasized that Congregational Christians everywhere may come to recognize and accept this fundamental basis of Christian giving. Definite steps will be taken to secure the enlistment of "life recruits" from among our young men and women for all forms of missionary and church service. And finally, after careful surveys, a budget will be prepared and raised that will cov er the needs of our mission fields and make possible positive and permanent advance. This budget will include the Pilgrim Memorial Fund. Its size and the methods under which it shall be raised are not yet definitely determined, but full announcements will be made soon. In all this program we shall be working in full co-operation with the Interchurch World Move ment, for this movement contemplates no alteration in existing denominational agencies. Our budget will represent our part in the great financial canvass of that movement and the other sections of our program will be our share in this great united effort to meet the spiritual needs of the world as they should be met. Such a "Forward Movement" as this is a magnificent challenge to our churches. To our women's organizations, in particular, it offers inspiring opportunities for service, for our full and hearty co-operation with it is essential if the great results, so desired, are to be secured. Especially must we lift our giving to levels heretofore considered impossible. Unsuspected resources must be discovered, new and daring ventures must be made, that each Union and each auxiliary may contribute its part to the great sum that shall enable us adequately to minister to the needs of the world. We must bear our full share in this undertaking. We can, and we will. DAY OF PRAYER FOR MISSIONS, February 20, 1920 OR many years it has been our custom to observe interdenominationally a Day of Prayer for Home Missions and a Day of Prayer for Foreign Missions. This year a United Day of Prayer will be observed and the first Friday in Lent, February 20th, has been chosen for this observance. A program, "The World to Christ We Bring" has been prepared and copies may be secured, one cent each, from the Federation office, 289 Fourth Avenue, New York City. "A Call to Prayer," an attractive card containing topics for preliminary preparatory prayer, has also been issued. One hundred copies of this will be sent to each Union, if desired, for distribution without charge. Additional copies will be furnished at twenty cents per hundred. DEPARTMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE'S and CHILDREN'S WORK TWELVE MISSIONARY TOPICS January-The World's Need of July-Every Christian a Mission- Community. Romans 12:9-13. *Optional Topics. Congregational Woman's Home Missionary Federation, 289 Fourth Avenue, New York City, leaflets issued by the Congregational Education Society to acquaint all leaders in Young People's work with these missionary topics for the year, with scripture selections, with suggestions for the meetings and with references for information upon the topics. The Prayer Meeting, Missionary and Music Committees can thus look ahead, make plans and procure literature before it is too late. It is suggested that the Missionary Committee organize among the young people a regular Mission Study Class, using one of the books referred to in the leaflet. This will not only greatly enrich the lives of the members of the class but will stimulate the missionary meetings of the Young People's Society. If your society wants a share in the work of your Union, send to the Union Young People's Secretary in your own state (if you do not know her name, drop a card to the Federation for the information.) She will suggest the school or missionary to whom you can send great joy through a barrel of all sorts of things of which she will tell you in detail; or she can tell you how you may have a share in the great reconstruction work of our land in gifts of money. PRIMARY PICTURE STORIES Six of these topics are announced by the United Society of Christian Endeavor. Six are added as optional by the Department of Missionary Ed- Ask your Primary Superintendent ucation for Congregational Young in the Church School if she is using People's Societies. Notes upon these the Primary Picture Stories in her topics will appear from month to department. There are six stories month in "The Congregationalist" and six pictures, illustrating the work and "The Wellspring.' of our homeland societies. Order from the Federation office at 25c a set, You may get from the office of the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPTS The American Missionary Association Irving C. Gaylord, Treasurer 287 Fourth Avenue, New York, N. Y. Receipts for November, 1919 The Daniel Hand Educational Fund for Colored People Income for November from Investments Previously acknowledged $7.746.36 2,215.92 $9,962.28 Current Receipts EASTERN DISTRICT MAINE-$1,169.48. (Donations 527.81, Legacy 641.67) Camden: First Ch., 1. Gardiner: Ch., 2. Gorham: "A Friend," for Talladega Colege, 20. Hampden: Ch., 11.44. Kennebunkport: Ch., 4. Mexico: Jr. C. E. Soc., for Indians, 3. North Edgecomb: Ch., 2. North Harpswell: S. S., 40c. Portland: J. M. G., 12.63; St. Lawrence Ch., 20; The Misses L, for Oriental Missions, 200; N. O. R., for Lexington, Ky., 25. Searsport: First Ch., 11.07. So. Brewer: Second Ch., 11. Westbrook: Warren Ch., for Lexington, Ky., 23.60. Woman's Home Missionary Union of Maine, by Mrs. C. E. Leach, Treas., 180.67. Legacy Gorham: Mary F. Kellogg, 641.67. NEW HAMPSHIRE—$1,600.40. (Donations 492.39, Legacy 1,108.01) Acworth: Ch., 7.43. Antrim: Mrs. H. A. Bartlett: Ch., C. for Straight College, 5. MASSACHUSETTS-$4,358.41. (Donations 3,033.41, Legacies 1,325.00) Ashby: C. E. Soc., for Porto Rico, 5. Ashland: Ch. and S. S., 15. Athol: C. W. F., for Straight College, 9. Ayer: H. A. Pollard, for Lexington, Ky., 1. Becket: Ch., 3. Bedford: Ch., 31.90. Billerica: Ch., 8.25. Boston: Mrs. F. H. B., for Straight College, 25; F. H. D, for Talladega College, 5. Brockton: Porter Ch., 150; Wendell Ave. Ch., 10.31. Brookfield: Primary S. S., for Lexington, Ky., 7. Carlisle: Mrs. D. L. C., for Straight College, 5. Cambridge: Prospect St. Ch., 23.30; Miss A. E. W., for Straight College, 8. Colrain Ch., 17. Dalton: Faithful Workers, for Lexington, Ky., 5. Dorchester. Village Ch., 29; Mrs. C. D. J.. 50c. East Northfield: Ch., 126. Everett: First Ch., 27.85. Fall River: Pilgrim Ch., 11. Framingham: E. B., for Straight College. 10. Gill: Ch., 3. Greenfield: C. W. D., for Talladega College, 25; Mrs. D. T., for Straight College, 5. Hardwick: Ch., 1.10. Hinstale: C. M., for Straight College, 3; G. F., for Straight College, 3. Housatonic: Mrs. C T.. for Straight College, 3. Lanesboro: C. S. G., for Straight College, 5; P. W. N.. Lenox: for Straight College, 3. Miss R. O., for Straight College, 5. Leominster: Pilgrim Ch., Pro Christo Soc., 5. Lowell: "A Friend in Lowell," 75. Lynn: MerA. C. P., for Straight College, 20. rimac: Ch., 9.56. Middleboro: North Ch., 12. Monterey: Montague: First Ch., 21.77. Ch., 4. Mt. Herman: S. M. C., for Straight College, 5. Newburyport: Belleville Ch., 13 64. Northampton: Edwards Ch.. 168. "M. C.." Soc., 20. Northbridge: C. E. of Rockdale Ch., for Straight College, 5; North New Salem: Ch., 1.16. North Reading: Ch., 3.16. Norwood: Ch., 22. Otis: Mrs. C. B. R.. 2. Pittsfield: C. A. P., for Straight College, 10; First S. S., 28.80; French Ch., 1.50; Dorcas Class, for Lexington, Ky., 10; Mrs. W. A. M., for Straight College, 5. Prescott: L. B., for Straight College, 6. Reading: Ch., 118.46. Roxbury: A. B., 1. Royalston: First Ch., 9. Sharon: Mrs. H. A. S., 1. South So. Braintree: Ch., 16. Dartmouth: Ch., 10,78. Springfield: Faith Ch., L. A. Soc., goods for Talladega College; North Ch., 25: South Ch., 300; H. K., for Talladega College, 20. State Line: M. R., for Straight College, 3. Stockbridge: A. T. A., for Straight College, 10; L. I. S., for Straight College, 3. Taunton: Trin. Ch., 38.50. Tolland: H. W., for Straight Col lege, 5, Tyringham: H. T., for Straight |