The Portland daily press., 1882-10-04

Totals. 92,2c4 SAL, 1913 SO.45 149l
The gain in the aggregate of coutribu-
tions, here shown, and in the amount per
member is highly encouraging. 1t is what
might be expected from the rapidly increas-
ing wealth Of these States, and from the
prosperous times upon which we have fallen.
The yearly average of donations for the five
year period, 1S75-79, was $37 900. This
year is the third of the next five year period,
1SS0S4. The average for these first three
years is S44, 1871. 1t will require yearly
gain for the next two years of about 81, 900
to bring the annual average of the period to
the $4,000 for which we are earnestly
looking.
If it seems surprising that only 635
churches out of l ,614 have contributed this
year, it is to be remembered that fully one
third OF the churches, that swell the list 10
this number, consist of twenty members or
less, or are churches giving in no report of
their condition. Many of these are either
actually dead, or are in state of suspended
animation. Others are vigorous churches,
newly organized, and soon to fall into the
line of benevolent contributions. Probably
from the whole body only about two thirds
as things are, can be looked to for remem-
brance of the foreign work. And of these
all but about one hundred do at some time
and in some way make contributions to the
Board
1t is devoutly hoped that the coming
years will witness mighty outpourings of the
Spirit; that reyiyals will be multiplied; that
Gods people will be led up to that higher
conservation in which the spirit of self
denial for Christs sake, and of love for lost
souls, will be immeasurably increased. If
God shall so bless the churches OF these
inf OF fha Ixvnx ~.
which we have ventured to name, may yet
rise up TO rebuke our straitened faith.
THE MISSIONARY HERALD.
The American Board has from the first
recognized its duty to diffuse as widely as
possible throughout its constituency intel
ligence concerning its own and other great
missionary operations. Such intelligence is
of prime importance for awakening and
sustaining a missionary spirit among
Christians. For this end the Missionary
Herald has been our main reliance. and it
is believed that the magazine is well adapt
ed for the purpose had in view. We are
glad TO report slight increase in its circu-
lation, and there is evidence that it is more
widely read by those who take it than ever
before. Yet it is clear that the intelligence
it brings of Gods great work in foreign
lands reaches only portion of the con-
stituency of the Board. Where only one in
fifteen or twenty of the members of Congre-
gational churches is a subscriber to our
missionary magazine, as is the fact in the
New England states, in New York, and
Illinois, or only one in from thirty or forty
as in some other States, it must be that a
large proportion of those who have professed
to seek first the kingdom of God have little
knowledge about the progress of that king
dom abroad. And lack of knowledge in.
evitably results in lack of interest. Every
effort is made, and will continue to be made
to give present and permanent value to the
Missionary Herald, and the friends of our
missions should continually seek the widest
possible dissemination Of the intelligence
which the magazine furnishes.
MISSION DAYsPRING.
Recognizing the Importance in this mis-
sionary work of reaching the children, and
interesting them in efforts to carry the Cos
pei to the heather, the American Board, in
connection with the Woman's Board of
Missions, Boston, commenced in January
last the publication of the Mission Day
spring, an illustrated monthly of IL pages,
designed for youth in Sunday-schools and
mission circles. This little magazine is
under the joint care of the editors of the
late in the year, has already secured Cir
culation of over $4,000 copies monthly, with
promise of large increase by the beginning
of another year. The children welcome it,
and it is believed that it meets want which
has long been felt for good missionary liter
AZURE for the young. By the aid of pastors,
superintendent, and other friends, we hope
to scatter these pages among our youth, so
helping, in some degree at least, to give a
missionary tone and spirit to the coming
generation.
The series of outline maps, which has
been in course of preparation for two years,
has been increased by the publication of
"India and Ceylon'' and Turkey" 1t is
proposed to issue soon map of the world
in similar style. The maps already issued,
four in number, Central and Southern AT,
rica," Micronesia" Japan" and "Chi'
na,' have had an extensive sale, and are
giving valuable assistance in missionary
concerts and elsewhere.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS.
Aside from the sermon and special papers
of the last annual meeting, and large mum
Der of leaflets issued during the year, two
pamphlets connected with our African mis-
sions have been prepared: one OH Explora
tions for the Mission to Umzila's Kingdom
the other on the Pioneer Work of the Wes
Central African Mission. A lecture by Prof
George t. Ladd, d. D., of New Haven, upon
The Relation of Churches to Missions. one
chapter of a volume published during the
year, by permission of the author and pub
fishers. has been reprinted and circulated.
The Bard has also placed its imprimatur
upon The Ely Volume, or The Contribu.
tons of our Foreign Missions to Science and
Human Well-Being; prepared under the SUI
pervision Of Rev. Thomas Laurie, D. D., in
accordance with the provisions made by the
late Hon. Alfred 3. Ely, of Newton, Mass.
This volume, exhibiting as is nowhere else
done, the value of the secular and incidental
results attending missionary labor, has been
deservedly commended, and second edl-
ton was called for and issued within six
months. 1t forms a valuable and perma-
nent addition to missionary literature.
AID FROM PUBLISHING SOCIETIES.
In response to letter of inquiry, the
Senior Corresponding Secretary of the
American Bihla Soeiaty Dr r.. w. Gilman