h
should understand and appreciate the sermon prepared for the cultured
white congregation.

* * * * *

A BEAUTIFUL GIFT.

Mr. Silas M. Rideout, of Cumberland, Maine, has presented to the
American Missionary Association, through the Boston office, a most
beautiful box for keepsakes. It is about 6 inches in width, 9 in length
and 4 in depth, made of inlaid woods of different colors very tastefully
arranged, "American Missionary" being set in the cover. The inside is
lined with plush. On a card in the box the following was written by a
friend: "This box was presented to the American Missionary Association
by a good man living in a small town in Maine, who, like that good
fisherman of whom we have heard, gives such as he had. This dear brother
of _four-score_ and _two years_, made this box and presented it to the
American Missionary Association, with its contents $10.25, which was
contributed by such of his friends as desired to have a look at the
skill of their aged brother in his work of love for the cause of
Christ." It was intended by our venerable friend that this box should
draw other contributions and finally be sold, the proceeds to be devoted
to the work of the American Missionary Association in which Mr. Rideout
has been so deeply interested for many years. A gentleman in Boston
offers $12 for the box. Will not some one make a better offer, and in
this way recognize the remarkable skill of this aged friend in his
effort to increase the income of the Association to help the needy
millions among whom our missionaries labor?

* * * * *

THE SOUTHERN SITUATION.

SOME SUGGESTIVE FACTS.

_First Fact._ The condition of the colored man In the South is becoming
more pitiable and precarious. Mr. Grady, in his last speech, announced
the unalterable purpose of the Southern whites never to submit to Negro
rule, and we read not long since of a "quiet election" held in a
Southern city, because the colored people, duly warned, kept away from
the polls. We know something, also, of the struggles of that people
against almost insuperable difficulties in trying to obtain food, homes
and education. In addition to all this, the public press keeps us
informed with sad frequency of the repeated murders inflicted upon the
defenceless colored people.

_Second Fact._ We learn with gratification that Southern people of high
standing denounce these outrages. Governo