We know of no Society that has more occasion for expressing cheerful congratulations than the American Missionary Association; and we wish its patrons and workers a thankful and prosperous Happy New Year. By the merciful blessing of God and the prayerful liberality of His people, we have been sustained in our work. The number of our pupils has multiplied. The Holy Spirit has been poured out upon our churches. A great improvement in public sentiment South has been witnessed. Questions relating to the policy of the government have been settled. We have escaped the bondage of debt, and, better still, have received a munificent gift for additional school facilities, and, like the prophet of Israel, are ready to exclaim, "The God of Heaven, He will prosper us, therefore we, His servants, will arise and build." Our missionaries and teachers at home and abroad have been spared and blessed abundantly. Let us rejoice, but not stop in our work. Our best joys spring forth from busiest toil. The work before us is great-greater than ever. We are called most encouragingly to stand on our Western shores, and in the name of Christ to welcome the Chinaman. We bear good tidings amidst ice and snow in the Northland to the American Indian. Kansas utters a voice for her Freedmen refugees; while the sunny South, we believe, has almost passed its winter of discontent. Seed time, with more favoring skies, is right upon us; and Africa— land of shadows, land of trouble and wrong-from her vast domains is stretching out her hand for our Freedmen to come over and help. There is no quarter of the globe where the principles we advocate are not wanted. The millennial year rushes on to our view. It is a question of prayer-a question of sacrifice and thanksgiving-a question of the patience of hope and the labor of love. God grant us all a preparation for the hour and all its possibilities. FINANCIAL. The receipts in our treasury for the two months of the present fiscal year (Oct. and Nov.) are $29,258.57, as against $26,577.05 for the corresponding months of |
