Various

“ But the hearts of these self-sacrificing toilers may be cheered by the sympathy and prayers of God's people and by such liberal gifts as will take away the continual fear of any further crippling of the work. We ask that in the supplications in the pulpit, at the family altar and in the closet, these consecrated men and women come in for a share in the petitions, and we ask also that in this, our Jubilee year, our treasury be remembered with so much liberality that it may be indeed for this great work a year of release. ”

“ As the new school year begins we renew our efforts in the society here, and shall try to stimulate others in the hope that much more may be done this year than was done last year in this humble way for the great cause. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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 [34] 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. ”

“ In Alabama the native white population is 18-4/10 per cent. The foreign white population show an illiteracy of 7-3/10 per cent. In Louisiana the native white population has 20-3/10 per cent. illiteracy, the foreign white 18-7/10 per cent. This principle holds good throughout. It is becoming in those of us who are patriotic not to boast too much concerning the education of our own people, or to urge the ignorance of those who come from abroad. ”

“ When we come, however, to compare the percentage of illiteracy in the lands represented by the larger body of immigrants with the illiteracy in our own Southern States the insignificance of the former is at once evident. The great body of illiterates are not those who come from across the ocean, but those who are born and bred in our own land—native Americans. ”

“ These discouraging features occur to some extent in all parts of our field—among the mountaineers, the Indians, and the Chinese on the Pacific Coast. Poverty and ignorance are common to all, and the race prejudice that confronts the Indian and the Chinese is scarcely less than that which rests upon the Negro in the [38] South. But these burdens our workers are willing to bear as followers of Him who spent His life among the lowly and gave as the greatest proof of His divine mission that the gospel was preached unto the poor. ”

“ 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 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. ”

“ The man looked at her and gave her half a dollar, saying: "The idea of a little thing like that asking for money for missions," and with a queer look on his face which Pat's mother described by saying, "he looked as if he was going to cry," he turned and walked off without describing his book.
Truly, "A little child shall lead them."
[36]
THE PROBLEM OF ILLITERACY.
The question of illiteracy among the peoples that come to us from foreign lands is one of great importance. The large percentage of those unable to read and write sent to us from Europe startles us. ”

“ In drafts, checks, registered letters, or post-office orders, may be sent to H. W. Hubbard, Treasurer, Bible House, New York; or, when more convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21 Congregational House, Boston, Mass., or 153 La Salle Street, Chicago, Ill. A payment of thirty dollars constitutes a Life Member. ”