r lack of room, and the great
poverty of our people this year, caused by a most unfavorable season.
The generosity of our friends at the North can help us meet the
latter, and Christian Endeavor Hall would completely remove the former
difficulty.
* * * * *
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
For the three months ending December 31, 1894, our receipts, as
compared with the corresponding months of the previous year, show a
slight increase in donations, but a falling off in estates, income and
tuition. The last item is sad, but not surprising, for the people in
the South are so utterly impoverished that the payment of tuition is
well-nigh impossible. On the side of expenditures, as compared with
last year, there has been reduction in all items, mission,
publication, collecting agency and administration, and yet the balance
of indebtedness for the three months is $15,671.10, which, added to
the previous indebtedness of $66,360.97, makes a total of $82,032.07.
We can only lay these figures before the friends of the poorest and
most depressed of the people of our land and invoke such help as
patriotism and Christianity will dictate.
* * * * *
LINCOLN MEMORIAL DAY.
We call the attention of our readers once more to the observance of
Lincoln Memorial Day, February 10th being the Sunday nearest the
birthday of the Great Emancipator. Last year, in accordance with the
recommendation of our annual meeting, the churches interested in our
great work were invited to observe the day in commemoration of the
emancipation of the slaves in its bearings on the great work which
emancipation involved--the preparation of these people for their new
life. We regard the renewal of this observance as specially fitting
now, because the colored people of the South are passing through a
terrible ordeal, and need all the encouragement and help that is
possible, to save them from utter discouragement. It is said that the
work of this Association is among the agencies most helpful in their
elevation. Last year a Concert Exercise was prepared in this office
for the use of Sunday-schools, giving a sketch of the life of the
Great Emancipator. We have copies remaining, which we will gladly
forward when requested to do so. Pastors and school superintendents
may vary this exercise by introducing other patriotic addresses or
hymns in place of those given.
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