s highest point during that
fiscal year, amounting to $101,151.66. During the next three months it
was reduced considerably below that highest figure; but now, at the
close of December, it has reached the amount of $104,943.95. It would be
difficult to show in detail the reasons for these changes. But the last
figure is the highest ever reached in the history of the Association,
and if we could not look with faith beyond, it would be discouraging.
But we cannot be despondent in view of the past. Discouragements have
been incident in every stage of progress in this connection. In the old
anti-slavery days there were times of almost hopeless discouragement. In
the great struggle for the life of the nation and the emancipation of
the slave there were days when only the bravest had hope. And in these
last days of reconstruction and of the work for elevating the Freedmen,
there have been very dark hours. But thus far triumph has come in the
end. We believe that God, who led the Children of Israel out of Egypt
and through the wilderness and never ceased his care till the people
were planted in their own land, with their homes and olive yards, will
not desert this larger company which he has brought with a high hand out
of bondage. We believe, too, that the merciful Saviour who regards every
good work done for the poorest and most helpless as done unto himself,
will not desert an organization that devotes itself earnestly and
successfully to the elevation of these needy races.

We, therefore, bate not one jot of heart or hope, but trusting in the
faithfulness of our Heavenly Father, and in the self-sacrificing and
conscientious liberality of his followers, we yet believe that this
debt will be removed and the means be furnished for the continuance and
enlargement of this great work. Hence, we repeat the call we have
already made to pastors, churches, Sunday-schools, Christian Endeavor
Societies, and to individuals, to make this our Year of Jubilee, the
time of emancipation and deliverance.

LINCOLN MEMORIAL DAY.

Two years ago the American Missionary Association introduced a new day
in the church calendars. The pastors of our Congregational fellowship
were asked to observe the Lincoln Memorial Day on the Sabbath nearest to
the birthday of our greatest President. This request was generally
responded to and sermons and responsive services were held in
commemoration of Abraham Lincoln's birth. A Concert Exercise was
pr