They were moving to and fro with less inclination to
study, or, possibly, to listen to the word of life, than in the days
when plenty of hard work left them weary in frame, but not heartsore.

At any rate--for these reasons or for others--the reports for
September were, on the whole, less cheering, I think, than any I had
ever received; but now, with the October reports all at hand, we find
the clouds breaking away and have "sunshine in our souls."

The membership of the schools was larger by 33 and the average
attendance by 17, but the gleams that bring best cheer are such as
these:

From Chin Foy, in Sacramento: "Eight names have been signed to pledge
cards for the Christian Endeavor members. Hope this society will be
established before long. Four new members have united with our
Association [thus professing faith in Christ and full consecration to
Him. W. C. P.], and three brethren expect to be baptized by Dr. Hoyt
and to unite with the church next communion. Thank God for His
blessing. The work is encouraging lately." This brother, whose name
may be familiar to the constant and attentive readers of THE
MISSIONARY, and who has been for ten years or more one of our most
useful helpers, instructs me to reduce his scanty salary two-thirds
(from $30 to $10 per month), and will try to make up what is lacking
by other work, so that with our reduced resources our work may not be
hindered.

Loo Quong writes from Fresno concerning a sick brother who was
converted in China, and has never been identified with any of our
missions: "Miss Beaton [the teacher] found him sick on the street and
asked him to come and live in the mission, in God's name. No one dared
to speak for him to help him in any way whatever, outside our mission.
I asked him, at length, after he had been with us many months, if he
would like to go back home. He says it would be the best way. Thus far
I succeeded in taking up subscriptions for his passage. [There are
$45.30 outside of Fresno, and $28 which was taken up here.] The
Christian Endeavor of the Congregational Church, through Rev. J. H.
Collins, their pastor, gave him passage from here to San Francisco. It
was a kind act of them all. I think God has blessed us all by enabling
us to have this thing done so well in His name, because Mr. Lai Fat
[the beneficiary] is not a member of the Association, nor have any of
us known him before. May God send him to his family all right, and may
his family be bles