. It was considered unwise to erect a new building of wood in the city, if permanence was desired. After careful consideration the Home Mission Society decided that a new building would cost from $12,000 to $15,000, and appeals were sent out through all New England for funds for this object. These appeals have been continued since July, and nobly have the people responded. In the effort to rebuild Union Hall the general work has suffered. Any person reading the receipts of the Society in the Echo during the past few months, would feel assured that money enough has been raised each month to cover all expenses. So much of this money, however, has been designated by the donors for other purposes, that not enough has remained for teachers' salaries. With anxious hearts the Board has met from month to month, since September, to look over expenditures and receipts. The usual receipts of the Society admit of its supporting the present number of teachers, but the fires at Salt Lake City and Atlanta have so diverted funds, which usually we are at liberty to use for salaries, that a question has arisen, "Shall we recall any of our teachers? If so, which one?" At last, after prayerful consideration the Board has decided to appeal to the women of the churches. We need $1,000 above our usual receipts before the annual meeting in May. Will not each auxiliary do its part in securing this amount? The plan which the Board would suggest for raising these added funds is this: Let every Baptist woman in New England have a "Self-Denial" week. By this we mean, let each woman go without some thing which she is accustomed to have, but which is not absolutely necessary, and place the money by itself to be given for this purpose. It may be horse car fares, some luxury upon the table, some article of dress, a concert or lecture, which may be given up. As the money for each sep. arate denial is laid aside, let a loving word of dedication go with it, as well as a prayer that the denial be owned and blessed of God. We would suggest the first week in March as the "Self-Denial" week. The first day of March is Thursday, the day upon which the Board holds its monthly meeting. This day will be observed by them as a day of special prayer for all the auxiliaries of the Society, as well as the schools and teachers. We would also suggest that Thursday afternoon, the 8th of March, be observed as a time of special prayer by each auxiliary in New England. At that time the result of the week's denial can be made known. These offerings should be kept entirely distinct from the mite boxes, but as we meet to pray and talk over the work upon this day, some may have special experiences of blessing, because of the self-denial used. Let this be a week of consecration and prayer, as we try to remove the obstacles out of the way of Christ's work. Let us forget that the self-denial is for a Society, or an organization, but only remember it is for His sake The Quarterly Meeting of the Woman's Baptist Home Mission Union of Connecticut, was held in the Broad Street Church, Meriden, Thursday, January 26th. Although the day was extremely cold, there was a good attendance, and we hope another step in advance was made in Home Mission work. An interesting Bible reading, drawing lessons from both the old and new Testament, showed us the value of small things, and the large results if used in the Master's service. It was the key-note of the whole meeting. Reports from Circles showed that many hands had been busy preparing material and filling barrels to send West. Letters from the recipients were intensely interesting, giving an account of their work and the trials they meet with. One brother writes as follows: "My field of labor is large, consisting of Miner County and McCook County. I have churches in both these counties and three out-stations. In McCook County, in the town of Spencer, I am building a very neat, commodious house of worship, so I shall not have to preach so much in school-houses. We are being aided by the Church Edifice Fund of the Home Mission Society, or we could not have undertaken so great an enterprise, as it is going to be a great struggle, owing to the failure of the crops in these parts. Yet we trust to pull through with the Divine blessing. This makes the second house of worship I have been able to build since I have been in Dakota. I have organized three churches, and in one way and another accomplished a vast amount of work for the Lord. But there is so much to be done in a new country, and so few to do it, I often think of Christ being moved with compassion when he saw the multitude as sheep without a shepherd. There are people here even without the Word of God in their homes, not having heard a Gospel sermon since they came into the Territory. It is a part of my work to find them out and preach to them Jesus! I am very thankful to say that my work has been very much blessed, and though I have many trials, and often have to be from my dear family, I am happy in it. It is glorious work to be the means of saving souls. What I especially need is more faith and more courage to go forward at the Master's command and take possession of the land in the name of our great King." In a letter from his wife, in speaking of their pri vations, she says: "Oh! how much we need the sympathy and help of churches to help us bear the burdens that we have to bear. I could tell you of some of our trials, but where shall I begin? I might tell you of our needing the commonest necessities of life. I could tell of weeks together when meat has not been on our table, and tea and sugar are luxuries we cannot afford. There is not another Baptist meeting for twenty miles. We are doing all we can to establish New Testament churches and Sunday schools." -A letter from Mrs. Becker always finds a welcome at our meetings, and one read at this time was no exception, as she told us of her increasing interest in her work and the joy she has in helping those who are daily under her care and instruction. -While there is a deep interest in the work both West and South, we do not forget the needs of our own State. A very interesting paper on State work, entitled "What Is Left Undone," was prepared and read by Mrs. Cadman, showing us that there is much need of mission work at home. Mr. Ritzmon, a German missionary, followed with a spirited address, giving us an account of the needs of the Germans in the State. He begs us to pray for them, that they may be converted, and thus add to their other good characteristics Christian citizenship. With such a large percentage of foreigners in our population, we are reminded that we need to be very vigilant at home. Only from Christian homes can we send out the Gospel of Christ into the busy, rushing towns of the West. -Ministers and teachers must go forth full of the power and truth of the Gospel of Christ. We stand behind them banded together in prayer, giving of our means as the Lord has prospered us. Let us not fail them in their hour of need. MRS. W. H. ELKINS, Secretary. WOMEN'S BAPTIST HOME MISSION SOCIETY, 2338 MICHIGAN AVENUE, CHICAGO, ILL. President-MRS. J. N. CROUSE, 2231 Prairie Ave., Chicago, Ill. Corresponding Secretary-Miss M. G. BURDETTE, 2338 Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. Recording Secretary -MRS. H. THANE MILLER, Cincinnati, Ohio. Treasurer-MRS. R. R. DONNELLEY, 2338 Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. NOT A SENTIMENT, BUT A SERVICE. At a recent meeting of Temple Builders in Chicago, the subject of the evening was: "The Freed People." Interesting facts and instructive statistics were given by a member of the organization, concerning the schools operated by the American Baptist Home Mission Society. This was followed by a talk on "Field Work" as conducted by the Women's Baptist Home Mission Society, showing the methods employed in house-to-house visiting, sewing schools, temperance work and Sabbath services, also suggesting the inti mate relation of school and field work. The conclud. ing address was by the Rev. Wm. Haigh, D.D., District Secretary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society. Of the many excellent points presented by Dr. Haigh, but one can be noted in this connection. He said: "The humility exemplified in the life of Christ and enjoined by himself and his apostles, is not a sentiment bnt a service." The requirement is not met by a "state of mind" that may be described as humble, unless accompanied and made manifest by humility of SERVICE. In support of this proposition, reference is made to the words of our Lord, "I am among you as he that serveth," and "If I your Lord and Master hath washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet, I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you." Truly "He made himself of no repu tation and took upon him the form of a servant. That the Apostle Paul followed this example of humility in service, we are assured: "These hands have ministered to my necessities and to them that were with me. I have shewed you how that so laboring, ye ought to support the weak." In the most vivid picture that has been given of the general judgment, when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of his glory, the verdict of the Judge is made to turn upon this same point of actual humility of service. Whether or not the "least of these my brethren" have been fed and clothed, ministered unto in sickness, kindly welcomed when coming as strangers, decides the momentous issue. This kind of service is at once the humblest and the | most exalted. Its theatre, the tenement house, the cabin, or forsooth, the wigwam; its utterances, not to the multitude, but in modulated tone above the pulow of the sufferer-or to the weary homesick stranger; its deeds often performed in weariness and painfulness, yet wrought in Christ's name, all are lifted to the sublime and only point of unity with the eternal "humility of service." It has seemed appropriate and in harmony with the above to give such extracts from recent letters as will set forth this line of work, as carried on by our missionaries, and rarely reported in press articles. Miss Jackson writes of their usual Christmas din ner for the poor; about seventy were fed, and those who were unable to be present, had the dinner taken to them. She says, concerning one of the women who had been quite ill: "When I went in to see her, her first words were, I can't go this week to the lesson, and I'm mighty sorry.' While I was building a fire and making her some tea, I realized as never before, how little she had to make her life pleasant and did not wonder that the meeting was a bright spot to her, or that she made such an effort after her hard day's work to get there. I was glad I had some garments to make her and the little ones more comfortable. After reading the lesson from the Bible, and doing what I could for her, I left, thinking how little we could do for these poor mothers if we did not go into their homes and see their needs." Miss Seils-"The weather has been unpleasant, damp and cold, yet we are thankful the Lord did not send us Dakota weather. My health has been very good, so I could go on my way from house to house, often long distances, carrying heavy bundles to clothe the poor, and then come home, eat supper, and go to meeting night after night, and after meeting often stay late talking with those who are inquiring the way of life. After such day's work one would think rest would come to you soon-but no, there are a hundred things to think of-plans to make for this or that part of the work; souls who wished to be remembered. But after all, how sweet it is to lean on the Saviour's breast, there to rest, though the eyelids are not closed and as the angels look down upon us, I think they find none in all the earth happier than the missionaries, for their day's work is for Jesus." Miss Sandberg-"My work has been of various kinds. One Sunday morning a man came over to the house quite early-his wife was very sick, he thought she would die. I went over and stayed with the children while he went for the doctor, and about the time when I had to be in the Sunday school I got a girl to come and stay. I just tell this to show in how many different ways people depend upon us." and other supplies. These are but incidents of the work, as the usual number of meetings and schools are reported. A BUILDING FOR THE MISSIONARY TRAINING SCHOOL. The conviction that this school ought to be furnished with a comfortable building, and that the denomination would respond to an appeal for the necessary funds, led the Society at its Tenth Annual Meeting, held May 24-25, 1887, to instruct the Executive Board to take measures for the erection of such a building. The entire cost, including necessary groundsand furnishing, is estimated at $50,000. This sum is apportioned to different States as follows: New York, $15,000; Pennsylvania, $10,000; Illinois, $10,000; New Jersey, $5,000; Ohio, $2,500; Indiana, $2,500; Wisconsin, $1,000; Minnesota, $1,000; Iowa, $1,000; Kansas, $500; Nebraska, $500; Frontier States, $1,000-Total, $50,000. There is no uniform plan suggested for raising these amounts. "Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring an offering.' Thus far, contributions and pledges have been made in sums ranging from ten cents to one thousand dollars each. Friends who desire further information can obtain it by conferring with State Vice-Presidents, officers of City Unions, Associational Directors, or the Corresponding Secre tary of the Society. All funds for this object should be sent to the Treasurer, Mrs. R. R. Donnelley, 2338 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Ill. Notes. The resignation of Mrs. B. P. Ward, of Rochester, from the Vice-Presidency of Western New York, is a great loss to the work in that district. Her eight years of service have told in excellent results. Protracted illness, and a prospective sojourn of several months in California, have made it necessary for her to yield this work to other hands. Miss Winlund (Danish)—“I am trying in every way to lighten the burdens of my fellow beings, to brighten the homes, and ease the sick and weary. I Mrs. C. R. Blackall declines the Vice-Presidency of have spent many afternoons down at the Relief Soci- Eastern Pennsylvania. In response to the letter ety for the poor, getting wood, groceries, etc.; have from the Board asking her to assume this work, Mrs. carried bundles of clothes to them from many different Blackall speaks of her earnest and hearty sympathy, places; have washed and scrubbed for the sick. Toher desire to promote the interests of the Society, day I have been out working for a poor sick family—but feels that she cannot give to the Vice-Presidency small children, and no one else to do it. I could not leave them in their dirt and misery. Well, one whole day has gone for that, yet it seems to me that the Lord is pleased even with such service, when it can lighten a burden. Many times girls come to me and want me to help them find a place to work. They are new comers, cannot talk, and are not acquainted. I must spend time with them, helping them get work." Miss Maria Janes reports for a single month the disbursement of 235 garments, meal, coffee, meat the time and strength that are requisite to successful work. Several missionaries have been detained for some months from their fields on account of illness. Among the number are Miss Ella L. Brainard, Miss Ida M. Clough, and Miss Belle C. Harris. The lat. ter will probably never be able to resume the work to which she has given the most devoted and heroic service. From her home in Joliet, the pastor writes of her rapidly failing strength, and her desire to be "with Christ." Farmersville Station, N. Y., DATE. Jan. 12 44 West Union, S. C., Eustis, Fla., Allendale, Miss., 66 " Jan. 5 Dec. 25 IN FEBRUARY. The following new appointments were made: Rev. George Bowman, Anacostia Church, Washington, D. C. J. Antoschevski, Poles in Detroit, Mich. N. J. Nylander, Swedes in Ogema, Wis. J. W. Luke, Stillwater, Minn., J. M. Flodin, Swedes in Burlington, Iowa. E. G. O. Groat, Carroll, Iowa. August C. Zellhoefer, Audubon, Iowa. Robert Carroll, North Western Iowa. "John P. Sundstrom, Swedes in Des Moines, Iowa. James B. Murch, Missouri Valley, Iowa. J. W. Butts, Derby, Kans. W. A. Biggart, Horton, Kans. A. D. Wirts, Oberlin, Kans. D. C. Ellis, Yates Centre, Kans. |