66 has given so liberally to the work this year. She says: "I am so glad for the officers of the A. H. M. S., for the missionaries, for the gospelhungry people, and for our own Michigan folks, and for the good that this giving has done those who have give... I have received much from poor churches. The children have taken hold with a zest. We find that teaching people to give helps dependent churches to self-support." We advise those who wish to interest children in Home Missions to send for a sample of the very attractive map card, published by the Michigan Woman's Union, and the "Lessons in Home Missions for Young People." Address Miss Alice M. Warren, Olivet, Mich., who is the secretary of the Young People's Department. Why may not other States add to their list of officers, a lady to organize and superintend the work among the young people? STORY OF A MISSION BAND. "God did anoint thee with his odorous oil, To wear as amulets. So others shall Take patience, labor, to their hearts and hands, -E. S. A FEW years since, a dear Christian lady said, "I should like to do something more for the Master, but as I have thought it over, I see no department of Christian work that is neglected except that of children's mission work, and as I have never had any experience in that direction, I fear to undertake it." After further reflection, and, we doubt not, much prayer on the subject, she decided to do "what her hands found to do," and in the spring of 1885 was organized the Children's Mission Band of the First Congregational Church of Northfield, Minnesota. It consisted of about thirty little girls between the ages of five and fourteen years. Catching the spirit of their leader, they adopted the name of "Willing Workers," which they well deserve. All offices except that of president, are held by themselves, and the money raised during the first six months of the year is devoted to Home Missions, and that of the second six months, to Foreign Missions. Their meetings are held the first Sabbath in each month, the leader aiming to give instruction in the work of missions, and at the same time to make them as interesting and entertaining as possible. Letters are read, and items of imformation are given from the different missionary publications. The chil dren are often asked to bring some interesting story, which they must find themselves. These exercises, together with singing, Scripture reading and some form of prayer, constitute the programme. At the end of six months they have a general review, and the leader is much encouraged to see that many of the lessons have not been forgotten. Each child, on joining the society, receives a little tin bank, or box, which is kept at home, and into which the missionary pennies are put as fast as earned. On birthdays and other special occasions, additional amounts find their way into them. Occasionally a father, or big brother, who has been an honorary member," by vote of the society, contributes fifty cents or a dollar. In this way, and with the proceeds of an entertainment, the society has raised one hundred dollars and over, for missions every year. Last spring, according to a suggestion received from a story in the Advance, they decided to try the plan of increasing a penny. Each child was given a penny and told to see how large she could make it grow. It was hard to invest just one cent, and no more, but every one did so, and honestly too. Pop-corn seemed to be the first thought, and in several cases increased the pennies fifty-fold. One little girl bought slate pencils and sold them for two cents, another bought a needle, and hem. med a towel, for which she was paid. Others invested in chickens, peanuts, flower seeds, and molasses candy. One little chicken, named Penny, grew up in time for a Thanksgiving dinner, and the flower seeds fur. nished many bouquets to lovers of flowers, and Mission bands. At Christmas time, the forty-five cents thus given out had increased to twelve dollars. and sixty-three cents. This sum was kept separate from the yearly collection, and used to buy a present for a lady missionary in whom they were specially interested. Once a year an entertainment is given, consisting of recitations, songs, etc., together with a sale of simple articles, made mostly by themselves. Last year they had a Japanese evening and secured a fine collection of Japanese articles for sale on commission. A programme was also prepared in two parts. The first part consisted of music and recitations, such as all children delight in, and the second part was given by ten lit tle girls dressed in Japanese costumes and trained to a little nonsense programme of songs and speeches supposed to be appropriate to the assumed characters of the "Japanese Sisters." This proved so pleasing that they were asked to repeat it a few weeks later in another church. Nearly all the members were dressed in Japenese costumes made of pretty but inexpensive material. The entertainment was in connection with a church sociable given by the Ladies' Society, making a very pleasant evening for a large company, beside being pecuniarily successful. But their motto is not "all work and no play," so each year the Willing Workers have one or two picnics and have all the fun they can, feeling glad all the time that they belong to a Mission Band. They now number forty-five and, although for picnics and entertainments each one is sure to report yet the average attendance at the Sabbath meetings is from twenty to thirty, and it is sincerely hoped that they will strengthen by their love and prayers, by their intelligent interest and their money, the W. H. M. S. and W. B. M. I. of the future. About two years after the organization of this Mission Band, its loved leader passed into her mansion on high, leaving the delightful work to other hands. Northfield, Minn. Our Young People. "Do good to the heathen who live in Japan, So, for all the wide world, we'll work with our might." APPLE BLOSSOMS. "THE King's Daughters" of Amherst, Mass., held an "Apple Blossom Social," in June, at the house of Mrs. D. L. Marsh. The Secretary, Miss Fanley, says, "We trimmed the rooms with apple blossoms, and each one of us read or spoke something relating to apple blossoms, and the fruit. The programme was interspersed with singing by the Amherst College Quartette, who very kindly gave their services. Miss Chapin, of Springfield, also sang to us. After the entertainment we served refreshments to the people. We charged thirty cents apiece for the tickets, each one of us selling from nine to twelve. After deducting expenses we are able to send you $43 for the church at Willow Lake, Dakota. This is our first effort, but I am sure it will not be our last. Most of us are in school and do not have much time to sew for missions, so we have to get up things that do not take very much time. Our 'ten' of 'King's Daughters' is the first in Amherst." Is there not a hint here for other busy school-girls? QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. THE following correct answers to the questions are furnished by Mabel B. Stewart, Nina Lamkin, Edwin M. Allender, all of Champaign, Illinois; The Lois Jewett Circle, Webster, New Hampshire; The Helping Hand Society, Sudbury, Mass., and a ten-year-old boy who calls him and, although for picnics and entertainments each one is sure to report yet the average attendance at the Sabbath meetings is from twenty to thirty, and it is sincerely hoped that they will strengthen by their love and prayers, by their intelligent interest and their money, the W. H. M. S. and W. B. M. I. of the future. About two years after the organization of this Mission Band, its loved leader passed into her mansion on high, leaving the delightful work to other hands. Northfield, Minn. Our Young People. Do good to the heathen who live in Japan, So, for all the wide world, we'll work with our might." APPLE BLOSSOMS. "THE King's Daughters" of Amherst, Mass., held an "Apple Blossom Social," in June, at the house of Mrs. D. L. Marsh. The Secretary, Miss Fanley, says, "We trimmed the rooms with apple blossoms, and each one of us read or spoke something relating to apple blossoms, and the fruit. The programme was interspersed with singing by the Amherst College Quartette, who very kindly gave their services. Miss Chapin, of Springfield, also sang to us. After the entertainment we served refreshments to the people. We charged thirty cents apiece for the tickets, each one of us selling from nine to twelve. After deducting expenses we are able to send you $43 for the church at Willow Lake, Dakota. This is our first effort, but I am sure it will not be our last. Most of us are in school and do not have much time to sew for missions, so we have to get up things that do not take very much time. Our 'ten' of 'King's Daughters' is the first in Amherst." Is there not a hint here for other busy school-girls? QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. THE following correct answers to the questions are furnished by Mabel B. Stewart, Nina Lamkin, Edwin M. Allender, all of Champaign, Illinois; The Lois Jewett Circle, Webster, New Hampshire; The Helping Hand Society, Sudbury, Mass., and a ten-year-old boy who calls him |