The American Missionary - Volume 50, No. 2, February, 1896

Excerpt

The debt-showing in our treasury has varied during the last few months. At the close of August, 1895, it reached its 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.

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 prepared by the Association which was used very largely.

This year Lincoln Memorial Day comes on Sunday, February 16, and we trust will prove a day of wide observance among the Congregational churches. It is, as our readers all know, the Jubilee Year of the American Missionary Association. Special collections are most appropriate this year and are being pledged by many of the churches in behalf of the great work of the American Missionary Association among the neglected millions of our own land and to roll up this Jubilee offering on the Jubilee Year.

Special envelopes have been printed and will be furnished any of the pastors who desire to celebrate Lincoln Memorial Day in taking this special collection for the Association. The Concert Exercise will be sent to the pastor or superintendent in any Sunday-school who may desire to add their gift to awaken a wider interest in this work. Abraham Lincoln was born on the edge of the great region occupied by the mountaineers of the South, or "American Highlanders" as we like to call them. Among these people the American Missionary Association has established its churches, schools and missions, and they have loyally responded in coöperation in the spread of an intelligent gospel among the two and a half million people.

The work among the Negroes must always be associated with the name of Abraham Lincoln, who lifted them from slavery into freedom and gave his life a willing sacrifice to the cause of their liberation and the salvation of our country.

The work of no other society gathers so immediately about the name of Abraham Lincoln as does that of the American Missionary Association, and we trust that Lincoln Memorial Day will be celebrated by the churches throughout the land, and that large special offerings will pour into the Association's treasury to bring emancipation from debt and furnish the means for larger labor this glad Jubilee Year.

In one of our Kansas missionary societies a mulatto woman was employed as housekeeper. She has a very bright and attractive little girl, not yet three years old, whose full name is Alice May Lapsly. By the young lady of the house she has been pet-named "Pat," and so is called "little Pat" by the ladies of the missionary society....