3 29; Jamestown, 25. Champlain-Chazy, 10 75; Mooer's, 4. Chemung-Elmira 1st, 3. Genesee-Byron, 5. Hudson-Circleville, 5; Ramapo sab-sch., 27; Scotchtown, 5; Washingtonville 2d, 150 Long Island-Mattituck sab-sch., 6; Moriches, 125; Shelter Island (sab-sch., 10), 11; Southampton (sabsch., 21 96), 35 36. Lyons-Lyons, 10. New York-New York 5th Ave., 844 10; New York Allen St., 3; New York Mount Washington, 42 25; New York W. 23d St. sab-sch., 100; New York Zion sab-sch., 1 39. Niagara-Lewiston, 5; Lockport 2d Ward, 1. North River-Bethlehem, 12; Cold Spring, 6; Westminster, 3. Otsego-Laurens, 50 cts. Rochester-Brockport, 13 10; Ogden, 1 20; Rochester 1st, 109 28; Rochester Central, 17 72; Rochester Immanuel, 51 cts. St. Lawrence--Brownville, 2. Steuben-Corning, 1 61; Prattsburg, 2 30. Syracuse-Canastota sab-sch., 10; Fulton, 15; Marcellus sabsch., 735; Oswego Grace, 5 55; Syracuse 1st, 29 14. TroyWaterford, 3 41. Utica-Clayville sab-sch., 5; Ilion, 2; New Hartford, 16; Oneida, 10 90; Utica Bethany, 9 61; Utica Westminster, 15; Verona, 8 68. Westchester-Darien, 10.

1825 81 NORTH DAKOTA.-Bismarck-Dickinson, 70 cts. FargoTower City, 2.

270

OHIO.-Athens-Logan sab-sch., 4. Bellefontaine-Patterson, 5; Spring Hills, 65 cts.; West Liberty, 51 cts. Chillicothe Chillicothe 3d, 5; Washington C. H., 7 15. CincinnatiBatavia, 5; Cincinnati Central sab-sch., 5 13; Hartwell, 2. Cleveland-Cleveland 1st, 24; Cleveland 2d, 90; Cleveland Case Ave., 5; Cleveland Miles Park, 5 55; Parma, 2. Columbus-Central College, 4 50; Columbus 1st, 48 31; Columbus 5th Ave., 1 25; Greenfield, 1; Lithopolis sab-sch., 2. DaytonDayton 4th, 12; Dayton Park, 4: Dayton 3d St. sab-sch., 23 39; Greenville, 3 85; New Paris, 1; Riley, 1. HuronHuron sab-sch., 15 10. Lima-St. Mary's ch. and sab-sah., 918. Mahoning-Beloit, 1; Clarkson, 1; Newton, 5; North Benton, 6; Pleasant Valley, 1; Salem, 28. St. ClairsvilleBuffalo, 3 50. Steubenville-Bethlehem, 5; Cross Creek, 1 85; Deersville sab-sch., 16; Feed Spring, 6 26; Richwood ch, and sab-sch., 3 60; Waynesburg, 4. Zanesville-Fredericktown, 2; Newark 1st, 8; Pataskala, 3.

382 78

PACIFIC.-Benicia-Ukiah, 1. Los Angeles-Los Angeles 1st, 20; Pasadena Calvary, 2; Santa Barbara (sab-sch., 15), 30 75. Sacramento-Anderson, 2; Gridley, 3. San FranciscoLebanon, 1; San Francisco Howard St., 20; San Francisco Westminster, 11. San José-Pleasant Valley, 1.

91 75

PENNSYLVANIA. - Allegheny - Allegheny 1st Ger., 1 42; Allegheny Providence sab-sch., 45 49; Bethel sab-sch., 8 73; Concord, 3; Sewickly, 17 89. Blairsville-Derry, 21 84; Livermore sab-sch., 6 50; Turtle Creek, 2 92; Salem, 10 48; Union, 2 53. Butler-Clintonville, 3; Concord, 8 37; Martinsburg, 1; North Butler, 3 75. Carlisle-Green Castle, 2 55; Wells Valley, 15 cts. Chester-Ashmun, 15; Avondale, 4 44; Dilworthtown, 2 28: New London, 5; Ridley Park, 5 48. Clarion-Elkton, 3 75. Erie-Concord, 1; Erie Central, 15; Greenfield, 1; Mercer 1st, 32; North Clarendon, 1; Sandy Lake, 1. Huntingdon-Bedford, 5; Bellefonte (sab-sch., 18), 28; Beulah, 3 20; Clearfield, 14 65; Hollidaysburg, 37 15; Houtzdale, 135; Lewistown, 2 91; Port Royal, 5; Shellsburg, 30 62. Kittanning-Atwood, 1; Clarksburg, 4; Ebenezer, 3; Gilgal, 2; Jacksonville, 11; Mahoning, 1; Mt. Pleasant, 3; Plumville, 2; Rayne, 1 05; Rockbridge, 2; Smicksburg, 1. Lackawanna-Plains, 1; Scranton 1st, 5; Troy, 16 72; West

[July.

Pittston, 25; Wilkesbarre Memorial, 39. Lehigh-Allentown, 15 54; Pottsville 2d, 14; Summit Hill ch. and sab-sch., 11 12; Tamaqua (sab-sch., 2), 3. Northumberland-Williamsport 1st, 5. Philadelphia-Philadelphia 1st, 41 68; Philadelphia 2d, 169 96: Philadelphia 4th sab-sch., 20; Philadelphia Grace sab-sch., 5. Philadelphia Central-Philadelphia Arch St. sab-sch., 50; Philadelphia Mantua 2d, 2; Philadelphia North sab-sch., 25; Philadelphia Oxford sab-sch., 75; Philadelphia Susquehanna Ave., 5. Philadelphia North-Chestnut Hill, 50; Eddington, 8; Germantown 1st, 218 04; Huntingdon Valley, 7; Lower Merion, 3. Pittsburgh-Centre, 6; North Branch, 1; Point Breeze, 20; Pittsburgh 2d, 19 28; Pittsburgh Bellefield, 7 50; Pittsburgh East Liberty (sabsch., 41, 55 65; Pittsburgh Grace Memorial, 2; Pittsburgh Shady Side (sab-sch., 15), 26 75; Verona, 4. Redstone-Belle Vernon, 3; Greensboro', 2; McClellandtown, 2; Tent, 5. Washington-Bethlehem sab-sch., 75 cts.: Lower Buffalo, 2; Washington 1st sab-sch., 30 53. Wellsboro'-Wellsboro', 185. Westminster-Donegal, 2; Lancaster, 29; Lancaster Memorial, 1; Mt. Joy sab-sch., 9; Pine Grove, 2; Strasburg, 2 65; Wrightsville, 2.

1437 52

TENNESSEE.-Union-Knoxville 2d, 5; Knoxville 4th, 14;

Rockford, 2.

21 00 5.00

TEXAS.-Austin-Brownwood, 4; Lampasas, 1.
UTAH.-Utah-American Fork, 2; Ephraim, 10; Manti, 5.

17.00

WISCONSIN.-Chippewa--Hudson sab-sch., 20. Lake Superior-Sault Ste. Marie, 10. Madison-Prairie du Sac, 20. Milwaukee-Cedar Grove sab-sch., 3; Oostburg, 6; Ottawa, 10 ets.; Richfield, 1; West Granville, 1. Winnebago-Neenah sab-sch., 10 36; Stevens Point sab-sch., 8 82.

From the churches, April, 1889.

From the Sabbath-schools, April, 1889...

Total from churches and Sabbath-schools, April, 1889.....

MISCELLANEOUS.

osedale sab-sch., Wash. Ter., 3; Annandale Reformed sab-sch., N. J., 3; A. E. Barley Norris, Mich., 2 50; Mrs. J. H. Symmes, 1; Margaret McAdam, 1; H. T. Walker, Beloit, Kan., 75; W. H. Long, N. C., 1 25; L. V. Nash, Neb., 1 15; Rev. Jos. Brown, Wis., 5 46; Pleasant Ridge sabsch., Neb., 30 cts.; Heartwell sab-sch., Neb., 5; Kennedy sab-sch., Minn., 3; Verona sab-sch., Mich., 108; Whitewood sab-sch., Dak., 3 20; Eton sab-sch., Dak., 2; Rev. D. A. Jewell, stated clerk of Presbytery, Grand Rapids, Mich., 20; T. W. Synnott, Wenonah, N. J., 200; A. L. Robertson, Jackson, Minn., 1 35; D. H. Gowing, Syracuse, N. Y., 3; Interest from Trustees, 125; Rev. W. L. Tarbet and wife, Ill., 97 cts.; Rev. R. W. Edwards, West Liberty, Ohio, 1 50; "C.," Penna., 1.......

Total receipts for April, 1889.....

80 28

$4,516 21 1,028 43

$5,544 64

460 76

$6,005 40

C. T. MCMULLIN, Treasurer, 1334 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa.

Although the committee to which the supervision of this comprehensive interest is entrusted is styled a "special committee," it is in fact a permanent one. Its tenth annual report was presented to the General Assembly of 1889, and it has done ten years of solid and valuable work. This report says:

The decade that has elapsed since this work of your committee went into operation on its present organization exhibits a quiet but very pronounced advance in the results of improved system and more principled giving among the churches. The more intelligent apprehension of Christian duty and of the world's needs; the more conscientious use of property; the increase of the proportionate method among individuals, and of the weekly offering among the churches; the inspiring successes of evangelistic labor; the more consistent fidelity of pastors and officers, and the higher spiritual tone of personal life among the people-all such factors have combined by God's blessing to bring about the result for which your committee challenge the devout thanksgiving of the Assembly and our Church at large.

Our living membership in ten years has advanced 30 per cent., while the increase in congregational expenses has been 39 per cent. showing a more liberal support of pastors and a better care for the appointments of God's house. Meanwhile the entire gifts of the people, including their own church expenses, have advanced from an average of $14.37 per member in 1879 to

$17.75 in 1889-a gain of $3.38 per member, or 234 per cent.

But, gratifying as this progression must appear, it is eclipsed by the increased average of 1889 over 1879 in the purely benevolent contributions bestowed upon our boards and the like agencies of evangelism. The gifts in this regard in 1879 averaged $3.39, and in 1889, $5.56, per member. This is a gain of $2.17 per member, or 64 per cent. advance!

Evidently the resultant of many progressive forces has been pushing our Church upon a loftier plane of beneficent consecration. Although still resting far below our ability and opportunity, we have reason for thankfulness that the tide of beneficence is rising steadily toward the high-water mark that shall yet signal the climax of our Church's prosperity and the fullness of her floods of spiritual power.

We still deem it far more important to establish a system of growth in Christian giving, to breathe through the Church an atmosphere of principled generosity, and establish habits of individual life which shall permanently tell upon the years to come, than it is by any frantic appeals or excited challenge to secure in any one year, or for any cause, amounts which have no promise of continuance in them. Such ceaseless calls as God is making on us need steady fountains-not thunder-storm freshets-for their efficient supply. . .

Now that chapter vi. of our "Directory for Worship" is established as the

mind of our Church in reference to God's worship by offerings, it must not be suffered either by neglect or listless acceptance to become a dead letter. More important than any system is the faithful, conscientious working of it.

This has added to our constitution the principle and plan of statedly combining gifts for the extension of Christ's kingdom with the regular Lord's day services of God's house. It is commended-not commanded. Yet, like the rest of that "Directory," it does express the convictions of our Church upon the subject in question as never before. It does place money-giving for God before the people as a part of Christian duty. It approves the habit of combining gifts with worship. It asks us to "bring an offering and come into his courts." It postulates the world's evangelism as a main object of the Church's existence. It testifies that money is to be used as thoroughly as prayer or praise in carrying out the glorious object which we crave when we ask, "Thy kingdom come." However largely in local detail the specific recommended plan be modified in practice, if these principles become rooted in the hearts of our people, the main object of that chapter will be, after all, achieved. Upon this fundamental plan of frequent worshipful giving, many a changed method might be erected-to get out of ruts or to suit pending cases-without at all a vital change or surrender of principle. It is to be feared that bringing the gifts of our Church-magnificent as they appear to be -to the property test, would make a somewhat meagre showing.

As stated in our last report, the question of proportionate giving on the part of the individual appears to committee to indi

your

cate the line on which the main advances of the future are likely to travel. The desider

[August,

atum is the distinct, arithmetical setting apart in sense of glad and conscientious duty of some definite proportion, as God hath prospered, of every individual's income, whether large or small. So far as advices reach us, the poor and those of moderate means among us now practice this more thoroughly than the wealthier. They set apart for God in larger proportion of their income than the rich.

But all along the line-among ministers, officers and private Christians-the habit seems to be gaining.

The committee kindly express the opinion that this magazine " has been of pronounced service in exhibiting and aiding the unity of our Church work." This certainly has been our steady and constant aim, and all the agencies of our Church, and all her ministers and members, may be assured of our purpose to continue in this endeavor. All suggestions intended to promote the harmony and efficiency of our Church's recognized agencies and the intelligent interest of her people in them will be thankfully received, attentively considered and, according to our best judgment, faithfully

used.

We believe that those agencies were

never before in better condition; never before had more fully the confidence of the Church and of each other; never before had so many thoughtful, intelligent, prayerful contributors; never saw opening before them so great or so hopeful opportunities as in the opening of the present ecclesiastical year.

To each and all of them the clear voice of the Church is, "Be strong and of a good courage. The Lord is with you. Go FORWARD."

An elder in the Presbyterian church in Lawrence, Kan., writes kindly in response to our note in the June number (p. 523), in which we tried to encourage elders and

church members to encourage their pastors in efforts to promote systematic, conscientious and cheerful giving for the Lord's work. He writes:

The Spirit of Missions speaks generously of the Presbyterian General Assembly of 1889 as "a powerful gathering," "a body of strong, enthusiastic men," "earnestly engaged in discussing various phases of Christian work." The pleasant notice concludes: In the spirit of earnest discussion over the practical questions of their general work, as well as in the exhibition of generous rivalry in giving money, the Presbyterians command attention, and their example should stimulate all other bodies of Christians.

On another page of that excellent magazine we find the following:

Rev. A. W. Mann, general missionary to the deaf mutes, in sending an item of news, adds, "Is it not time for the Church, with her historical position and great wealth, to wake up to a full realization of her oppor tunities in the growing mid West, and make a strong effort to retrieve lost ground? In very few places has she been 'first on the ground.' In these few places she is strong. Is not this a hint and a lesson? New places spring up here and there. In a few months the first house of worship rises from the ground. With scarcely any exception it belongs to some other religious body, enterprising and wide awake. A very small percentage, indeed, of the houses of worship springing up all over the West belong to us. How thankful and happy we shall all be when an enthusiasm is awakened that will keep the missionary treasury of the Church

effectively full, and an army of general missionaries in the waste places laying the foundations for the future."

Rev. Dwight W. Learned, a missionary of the American Board, writes to the Congregationalist of the proposed union in Japan between the Presbyterians and Congregationalists. The doctrinal basis of union is the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds and the articles of the Evangelical Alliance. Why not go one step farther, and take in the Historic Episcopate? That would prepare the way for a union which would comprehend all Protestant Christians, and Japan might lead the way to that unity for which there is deep yearning and fervent prayer among earnest souls everywhere. The Lord grant it in his time.

We have said that this is speaking generously. So it seems to us, making the allowance, which it would be ungenerous not to make, for the "historical position" of our contemporary. But is it to be quietly assumed that every "historical position" and every "historic" organization is scriptural, and cannot rightly be altered or abandoned? Islam is historic. The papacy is historic, and it will hardly be denied by our Episcopalian brethren that the Presbyterian churches, for example, hold a not obscure. place in the true historic records of Britain, Ireland and America, and of Protestant

Christianity in all the world. We do not claim that our being historic settles the question of our being unimprovably right. Neither can we allow to other " religious bodies" what we do not claim for ourselves.

As to that "proposed union" in Japan, the parties to it do not propose to “take in" all that must be acknowledged as historic, but all which they can agree in acknowledging as scriptural, and essential to a Christian Church.

That is an honest admission-for it must be a mortifying one-that "in the growing mid West," in the "new places, the first house of worship, with scarcely any exception, belongs to some other religious body," and that therefore it is "time for the Church, with her historical position and great wealth, to wake up to a full realization of her opportunities."

"Some other religious body"!" all other bodies of Christians"! Paul said (Col. 1:

[August,

18), "And he is the head of the body, the church," and (1 Cor. 12: 27) "Now ye are the body of Christ."

Dear Episcopalian brothers, do we, Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Congregationalists, whom you so kindly speak of as "bodies of Christians," and whose energy and fidelity in "Christian work" you so earnestly commend and emulate-do we, with you and all other true Christians, constitute the one body of Christ? Is it then good grammar to speak of the Church and other bodies of Christians?

Dear Presbyterian brothers, let us try to deserve, more than we yet do, these generous commendations of the Christian work we are doing, and let no man trouble us with any doubts as to our real and living membership in the Church which is Christ's body-a body which hath many members, and is yet one body. We believe in the holy catholic Church-one Church, in whatever denominational form she is made visible.

The following statement has been published in some of the papers on the authority of the Executive Committee of the Synod of Pennsylvania:

After the October meeting there will be very few churches in the synod receiving aid from the Home Mission Board. We have at this time about $2500 in our treasury, but will probably be in debt before the October meeting. In making appropriations we have kept as near the minimum as possible, and have been urging the various presbyteries to make the best possible grouping of their weak churches, and have impressed upon the churches receiving aid the necessity for increasing their own efforts toward self-support. Having done this, we appeal to all our sessions to see to it that liberal contributions be taken for this cause and forwarded to F. K. Hipple, 1340 Chest

nut Street, Philadelphia. We aim to put new life into home mission work in all parts of our synod, by establishing pastorates where it is possible, and by giving regular preaching of the gospel in every destitute field; and, while doing this, we hope to relieve our Home Board of all its burdens within our bounds. Last year the churches in the synod drew from the Home Mission Board's treasury only about nine thousand dollars; this year they probably will not draw more than two or three thousand; and if our work is sustained as it should be, next year they will not draw anything.

This effort of the three largest synods to relieve the General Assembly's Board of Home Missions of all care of congregations within their bounds, and at the same time to continue and enlarge their contributions to its treasury for mission work beyond