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

learn; fifty-two have already learned the best of all lessons, obedience to their Heavenly Father.
 This work for orphans, means not only warmth, food and clothing for homeless children; 1t means training in useful arts and Christian educa- tion for the rising generation and is bright with promise for the future.
 Katherine Hume Miller.
 Middlesex County.
 The financial question seems the most important in these times, which are still hard times" One auxiliary, which has celebrated it's twenty fifth anniversary, with letters from charter members and an address from one of the branch secretaries, has doubled the amount of it's contributions for the year. One auxiliary has gained fifty per cent, another sixteen per cent. still another eleven per cent, and one of the hill towns, which is constantly sending it's strength to the centers be- low, though its membership this year is ten per cent. less than last year, re- sponded immediately to the request for ten per cent. Four other societies at least, probably more, have made some | advance, while others have either made no gain at all or have fallen be- hind.
 A few societies report gain in mem bership-one a gain of eleven. Several auxiliaries have occupied the church prayer-meeting; in one case three young ladies dressed in the costume of India answered questions regarding l hot Jp,, church two such meetings have been held and the pastor has asked the auxiliary officers to prepare for a third, as the others have been so suc- cessful. In another place still mor., has been accomplished; the auxiliary holds a monthly meeting as church prayer meeting, with the auxiliary president presiding, while the pastor sings with the choir.
 | In one church where small number of faithful souls all interested in for . | eign missions, are always at the pray ermeeting, rarely any others, it has proved a better way to invite the peo- pie to social evening entertainment this year a Japanses entertainment where a programme was given includ-
 
 a dozen pretty girls excellent repro auctions of Japanese maidens, dis pensed tea and dainty cakes.
 One of the stronger auxiliaries and one of the smaller ones five miles apart, met half way to hold union meeting, and the president of one of them says. If our auxiliaries would go visiting and have company oftener, I think it would help them keep out of the ruts."
 More speakers have been heard this year than usual Mrs. Lyman P. Peet of China; Mrs. John Dube, Mrs. Hol- | brook and Miss Pixley of South Africa; Miss Talcott of Japan; Dr. Root of h. dia, and Mrs. Giddings of the Berk- shire branch have each spoken once within our borders; Mrs. l.. S. Gates of India twice, Miss Morrill, of China four times, and Miss Kyle seven while Mrs. Wilcox ofMiddletown has told one aux Hilary of her visit to Japan, and Mrs. l McMahon, missionary of the Metho- dist board, recently returned from In dia, has spoken to one mission circle. one Christian Endeavor society and two auxiliaries. Dr. Barton Of the Ameri- | can board, has also spoken 10 one mis- sion circle and delegates who had at tended the student volunteer conven- tion at Cleveland to two Christian En- deavor societies. Add to all this the re- ports from the American board and w. B. M annuals and many other less pretentious talks" by local talent, and it is certain that the members of auxil- iaries, mission circles and Christian Endeavor societies of the county have gained some new information unless they have been talked to death"
 One or more persons from every aux | Hilary but one in the northern division attended the meeting of the w. B. M. in 1 New London for at least one day, bringing home reports to their own so- cieties, both senior and junior.
 The auxiliaries of the northern divi- sion were given their choice between using for extra contributions the Len ten envelopes or the cent-a- day envel- opes for month"; three of them select ed the Lenten envelopes, while Il fourth used some of each, saying that rhe new ones were more attractive. One mem- Der asked if she might have one to keep afterwards; they were "so pret- l ". oue OI the large duXllldGleS QlS- tributed 1S9 Lenten envelopes; ninety one of these came back to the treasur- CT containing $S1.54.
 The mission circles of the county have given $66.70 more this year than last, nearly four times the ten per cent. asked for. One circle has given six times as much as last year.
 Most of the circles have this year taken some definite pledged work and several have made articles for mission ary boxes.
 One has committee to bring in and introduce new members. As each new member joins the circle simple badge of membership is given and all join in reading the constitution and in singing a consecration hymn.
 Five cents were given to each mem- Der of one circle, which the boys in- creased by raising vegetables and chickens and the girls by their needle work.
 One new Cradle Roll has been formed, making nine in all; two of these have nearly fifty members each.
 The secretary for Christian Endeavor societies in the county is also one of the committee of three for missionary work under the County Union, which is pushing especially the matter of the | Tantt, Tariov