IONARY it was shown that there had been during the
previous three months a small but actual reduction of the debt. The
present showing brings the figures back to what they were substantially in
January last.

We hope this falling off is but temporary. We know the pressure of the
times and the difficulty of obtaining money. We are fully aware, too, that
many of our friends make their contributions with self-denial, but,
standing as we do, with the responsibility for the great work entrusted to
this Association, and knowing how vital it is to the welfare and uplifting
of the impoverished and ignorant races of our land, we feel constrained to
press the call still farther upon both rich and poor for the means to
continue the assistance to these needy peoples.

LET IT BE REMEMBERED:

1. That the American Missionary Association was the first to enter the
work of educating and uplifting the Freedmen of the South, and the first
to introduce industrial training into the schools.

2. That it has done the largest work in that field, having spent more
money and educated more pupils than any other society.

3. That it has extended its work among the mountaineers of the South, the
Indians of the West, the Chinese on the Pacific Coast and the Eskimos in
Alaska--its field extending thus from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and
from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Circle.

4. That it has been chosen by National Councils, State Associations, and
local organizations to do the work in these fields and among these peoples
for the Congregational churches of the United States.

5. That its expanding and important work is restricted by the want of
adequate funds, and that while Congregationalists--churches and
individuals--have the undoubted right to exercise their own choice in
aiding institutions in these particular fields, outside of the work of the
Association, yet they ought to bear in mind their responsibility to
sustain the Association in the work which they assign to it.

CHURCH WORK IN THE SOUTH.

We invite the attention of our readers to the illustrated article "In
North Carolina." This sketch covers but a limited portion of our great
work, but it shows the relations it bears to its surroundings in the
public life of the South. Our churches in this district are prosperous,
and we are gratified to say that the promise of church extension over our
wider districts is very encouraging. Eight new churches will be ad