The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-05-14

sending directly to the American board This still leaves fifty-siX out of one hundred and sixty churches, about one third, where there is no connection be- tween the work of to-day and the workers of tomorrow.
 The possibility of several different agencies in one church to enlist the ln- terest of young people in missions was illustrated by the experience of those churches where it had been tried with success. An appeal was made to mothers, sisters, Sunday school teach CTS, Junior Endeayor leaders and all lovers of children and missions to start either Mission Circles or Cradle Rolls in the one hundred and eight churches where none exist. These were de- scribed as simple and flexible organiza- tions that can be carried on without interference with any other church ac- tivity. As an illustration of the possi- bilities that lie in the Cradle Roll, Miss Prudden then read paper prepared by Mrs F. M. Hollister of Danbury, who was prevented by ill., ness from presenting it in person, as follows:
 Although she may not be aware of | | sponsible for the organization of the | Waterbury Second church Cradle Roll. Just a year ago she asked me to speak | in the discussion at the Torrington | meeting upon the question, "How can we interest the ladies of our auxiliaries in junior work?" Imagine my embar- rassment at being called upon to speak upon such subject, when I had | e, tnI y,yith z, church having no organization for jun for work, and during that time had done nothing toward changing that state of affairs. I was really afraid my sincerity would be doubted should urge the importance of junior work or express the conviction that sufficient leaders for the work could be found in our auxiliaries, had we only faith to work for them. Flow conscience doth make towards of us alli''
 But the Waterbury Cradle Roll had it's birth in the Torrington meeting.
 After securing the necessary boxes, cards and leaflets we began the enroll ing of members last August.
 But previous to this, I ought to say, the work was laid before Our Father, and His help and guidance sought for it's success. Having a natural dislike for halfway measures,' we earnestly made request that the name of not one child in all our church might be re- fused; that if the Cradle Roll was to be it might include every eligible child in the church. This seemed bold re- quest for a church of over one thou sand members, but it was no more than was necessary for the highest interests of the work. So, with the knowledge that God will answer prayer, quieting to great extent the fears which lack of previous experience engendered, the work was begun.
 want to say that the reception giv- en to the matter by the mothers of our church was a constant inspiration. Not in a single instance were we met with Encouragement or indifference.
 The success at Waterbury did not come from tactful presentation of the subject we are sure; although wisdom and tact, felt to be very necessary, were asked for. Many times, after a round of successful calls, we have feared to enter the next home lest we should here meet with the first refusal, and so the completeness of the work be destroyed. But remembering that The battle Is the Lord 's,'' and praying that the Spirit of the Lord would pre- pare the mothers heart to receive fla vorably our presentation of the work, we have never failed to find that pre- paration made
 The small membership fee of ten cents was decided upon, that no one might be shut out through lack of 1 fLot ha between rich and poor should be mani- fested in the amount put into the box es. At intervals of few weeks min- eograph letter was sent to each little member of the band, telling them something about the work they were helping to do for their little brothers and sisters across the sea, and enclos- ing leaflet with the diection, "Please give this to mamma"
 Tn January, when about one hundred little ones had been enrolled, we held our first reception. The weather was not propitious, but seventy-five of the wee ones ventured out to bring their mammas to their first foreign mission ary meeting held in the church par 1ors, made bright and cozy for them by many willing hands, and I think I am right when I say that in past time our church has rarely had the pleasure of welcoming one hundred and twenty five persons to a foreign missionary meeting on a stormy day.
 The contribution brought was beyond our expectation; about ten dollars for membership fees, eighteen dollars in the little boxes, and seven dollars from friends who wished to give something in return for the privilege of beholding the charming little company.
 I shall never forget the first box brought in, so almost pathetic was the little sermon upon giving which it preached. It came from a family of children who know from experience what it is to want the necessities of ! life, but it was heavy with it's pennies. We are aware that in a leading paper of our denomination the Cradle Roll was recently spoken of in a manner bordering upon ridicule, as ''The baby carriage idea of the nineteenth centu- ry," but what missionary society has a more reasonable foundation for it's be- l ing?
 Trailing clouds of glory" these lit tie ones come to us bearing a some thing which we call memory" like a , white scroll as yet unrolled, and it be-