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

LOT lue DOuHllLuI IuHcneOH, to the la dies of the Center Church for their efii- cient management of the same; to the missionary speakers whose addresses have thrilled and inspired us; to the railroads for the reduction of fares; to the newspapers for their repeated cour- tesies; to the United Church for the use of the chapel, and to any and to all who In any way contributed to the success and the enjoyment of the meeting. THE RECORDING SECRETARY'S s
 REPORT.
 The record of the Branch for the past year Is marked by no striking or unu- sual event but there has been the same steady earnest effort on the part of the few to gain the uninterested many. Old methods have been brought to the front and revitalized; new and ingen- ious ways have been sought for arous- ing enthusiasm in existing organiza tions and for increasing the gifts, such as question boxes, roll-can responses, birthday-parties, silk bags for contcl- buttons and the like.
 The call for more money has aroused many auxiliaries to greater effort. And still the high Water-mark of giving has not yet been reached and the burden which rests on the Woman's Board, that of carrying on large and growing work with inadequate funds, rests upon the New Haven Branch and has caused much anxious thought and consultation among all leaders during the last few months.
 r-1That these consultations have borne fruit is shown by the fact that the to- tai receipts of the New Haven Branch for the year are greater than those of last year, the whole amount being $15, O7142
 But when we look at our mission- fields with their urgent needs we wish that this sum had been still larger, and feel sense of regret at the open doors of opportunity which we have failed to enter. Was 1t not in our power to do more? When we pass in review the work at home, however, we are grate- ful that there are among us So many earnest women who, with consecrated , purpose, are seeking to win others u the cause; we see that the general in- terest in missions is growing, and we look forward to time when the Wo- mans Board shall enroll all the women , in our churches, and have treasury that is overflowing.
 That this good time is on the way is shown by the reports made during the year by the home secretary, Mrs. Shel- don, summary of which is as follows:
 The county meetings held last fall were well attended and an earnest, Thoroughly interested spirit was mani fest in them all. Several societies re- ported having gained the ten per cent advance, and very many expressed the determination to come as near it as possible.
 Many thank offering meetings have been held and the attendance at these has in most cases which have been re- ported been larger than ever before. Several twenty-fifth anniversaries have been celebrated, and all have been characterized by an unusual degree of interest among the members of the \ churches where the meetings have been x held.
 There are many signs of activity, and words of cheer and encouragement come to us from every side. Societies are holding an occasional meeting in the church, the different parts of the service being conducted by the various ' local foreign missionary organizations.
 The thought of the spiritual side of our work seems to be gaining more and more prominence among our workers, and the need of more prayer and of a deeper spiritual life in ourselves in or der that we may interest and influence others is coming to be most keenly feIt''
 Interesting monthly meetings have been held in New Haven, at which the following missionaries have spoken: Miss Judson, Branch missionary from Japan, who since then has returned to her field: Mrs. Pedley, also of Japan; Mrs. Peet and Miss Merrill of China; and Mrs. Christie of Turkey Other speakers have been Mrs. Dube, grad uate of Inanda seminary in Africa, wno is preparing to return as a missionary z to her people; Miss May, formerly of the Woman's Board, who gave an ac- count from personal observation of Miss Gleason's work in Haskeuy, Con- stantinople, and Miss Hinsdale, Mrs Hazen and Mrs. Phipps, presidents of the Branch. Many interesting let fers and reports have also been read at these meetings,
 The work among juniors, always an Important part of the Branch work, has
 
 Branch having been fortunate in again securing the efficient services of Miss Prudden, who has charge of the depart ment. Miss Prudden reports as fol lows:
 "Our junior department represents a larger number of societies than ou1 Ruxiliaries, although we do not depend on them for more than one-quarter oi bur receipts. It is changing constitu- ency and it's best work lies not in its treasury returns, but in the less tangi- ble but more abiding value of workers flor the future. Our corps of secceta- ries in each county watches and Strengthens and encourages each line of possible influence with young people
 One hundred and forty personal let. ters have been written presenting the s'Morning Star" to Sunday schools ant s'eternal vigilance" marks the efforts of the Christian Endeavor secretaries to secure a continuity of interest 1T those societies in the work assigned them. The plans inaugurated las year by Mrs. Hemingway to enlist Jun for Endeavorers for our Bombay schoo have been taken up by these count, secretaries.
 We count at least four new Mission