siana Missionary Union, held at New
Orleans, April 3, was also full of encouragement. The new interest
awakened, simply by the gathering together to report the progress of
the year, indicates how much can be accomplished. Not only will the
missionary cause receive direct benefit, but there will be a reflex,
healthful influence upon the churches thus represented.

The first Annual Meeting of the Woman's Missionary Union of the Central
South Association, held in Nashville, Tennessee, April 5, was in all
respects encouraging. One of the peculiar features of these Southern
Unions is that the State Association is always likely to meet at a
school centre, as in this case at Nashville, Tennessee, and the older
students thus are enthused and stimulated to missionary purpose and
activity, whether in the ordinary experiences of church life at home,
or as special missionaries.

There was a good representation of auxiliaries, and encouraging word of
new ones soon to be received. The interest in the meeting was intense,
and the reports from the different societies showed a deep and
heartfelt sympathy with the cause of missions. It was very interesting
to note how anxiously some of those who represent a people burdened
with poverty, planned for the work of the coming year, taking for their
field--the world. Considering that this Union is only a year old, its
growth seems remarkable.

The question is sometimes asked, whether the Mountain girls appreciate
the opportunity of education that is now afforded them. We reply by
giving extracts from the letter of a pupil obliged to leave school. The
letter was written to a school-mate, and is but one of many instances
of the kind.

"MY DEAREST FRIEND:--I would have written sooner, but I thought I might
get a chance to go to school, and that is why I have delayed so long.
It is impossible for me to go now, the boys are preparing 'for to make
a crap,' and I can see how much they are needed at home. We have but
one horse, and I cannot go alone. Oh! how glad I would be to see my
teacher. I know I shall never be able to reward her for her kindness to
me, but the Lord will reward her. I never have met the people who were
so kind to me as those people. I still have a desire to get an
education; sometimes I think I will not get to go to school any more,
but where there is a will, there is a way, and I know I have a good
will. My sisters all married before they were twenty. I am twenty-two
now. I