things.
* * * * *
_NOTES FROM NEW ENGLAND._
By District Secretary C.J. Ryder, Boston, Mass.
TWO WAYS OF DOING IT.
"So you have come! Well! I don't know but it is just as favorable a time
as any. Still, we are in a very pinched condition. We have a debt that
we have carried for ten years and have scarcely been able to pay the
interest. The parsonage is in a desperate condition, and we are very far
from comfortable in it. Secretary Hood was here two months ago, and he
stirred the people up and took all that ought to be given to any of our
Benevolent Societies. Then, a month ago, Puddefoot was here, and you
know he sweeps in everything that can possibly be reached. I sometimes
think that he awakens too much interest, and that the churches give too
large collections. Our women are all interested in the American Board,
and will not feel like doing much for the American Missionary
Association Still, it is the time for our annual collection, and I
think no harm can come from an address on the A.M.A. work to-morrow. We
are very glad to see you."
_This is one way._
"How do you do, dear old friend? I declare, it seems as if I had known
you a life-time. I am ever so glad you could come and speak to my church
to-morrow. We need stirring up tremendously. Although my people are a
large-hearted, generous people, they are so much absorbed with our own
interests here, that I fear sometimes they do not appreciate the larger
work done through the Benevolent Societies. Secretary Creegan was here a
little while ago and took away a splendid collection, but he left a lot
of ripe grain to be gathered in the harvest of some other society. Then,
dear old Puddefoot came here and rattled the dry bones till he made
living men and women out of some of the skeletons. He took away one of
the largest checks that ever went from our congregation to any
benevolent cause. Secretary Maile presented the work of the College and
Education Society in such a way as to rouse the people to a sense of its
great importance. We are wonderfully glad to see you and you see are all
ready for another ingathering to-morrow. These brethren have left more
than they took away in money, and have enlarged the scope of vision of a
good many people. They see the importance and the growing needs of these
Mission fields, as never before. Put in your best blows to-morrow. Don't
be afraid that you will take anything away that ought t
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