ose poverty made him a debtor to them. His consecration will not be
forgotten.

His sudden departure--our great bereavement--made necessary the
transfer of the Rev. C.J. Ryder from the field to the District
Secretaryship of the Eastern District in New England, who has brought
with his energy and zeal such an experience, and personal knowledge of
the entire field, as to insure him the most hearty welcome and
co-operation on the part of our pastors and churches.

The Rev. F.E. Jenkins, a graduate of Williams College and of Hartford
Theological Seminary, for some time earnestly engaged in our Southern
work, has been appointed a field superintendent for personal
examination and supervision of our churches and schools, and has
already entered upon his duties.

The Association, with its Superintendents continually in the field,
who report every fact to the Secretaries at the office, who in turn
submit the entire work to the churches, is thus continually made
better prepared to direct the sacrifices of the benevolent in ways
that shall not be irresponsible or unwise, than those which are
subject to no such scrutiny or supervision, and are held to no
responsibility. Much less money would be diverted from this authorized
and recognized servant of the Congregational Churches, and far greater
efficiency would be secured, if our friends would remember that their
own ordained agency can open as many missions as they will make
possible, which shall have, at least, one advantage over independent
and unsupervised work, in that, through us, they shall be under your
own constant Christian watch and care.

We may not close this review of our year's work and attendant
suggestions without remembrance of our indebtedness to the American
Bible Society, for its grant of Bibles; to the Congregational
Sunday-school and Publishing Society for the help given to our
struggling churches and Sunday-schools in its grant of books and
lesson helps. We rejoice in the unity of our societies, which make all
one in the blending of the parts for the great common purpose of
redeeming the lost and gathering them into the family of Christ.

Student's Letter.

Struggles In The "Lone Star State."

BY A.C. GARROTT.

My home, Marion, Ala., was also the location of the Lincoln Normal
Institute, and fortunately I had attended that school for several
years. Being next to the oldest of eight children, my parents decided
to