THE state of the Treasury has not improved since our report in THE HOME MISSIONARY for November. Two of the notes given to tide over the usual summer deficiency have fallen due, and had to be renewed for lack of money to meet them. The Society, therefore, is still owing the banks ninety thousand dollars ($90,000). Of this amount one third (thirty thousand dollars) is secured by bonds representing the reserved three fifths of the Swett Exigency Fund.

The receipts for October are $22,526.78 less than those of October 1887-a falling off of $11,648 in contributions, and $11,234 in legacies.

September and October in the years of presidential election are proverbially months of small receipts. The income in these two months of 1888 was somewhat in advance of those in the two latest foregoing "presidential years," though they both were largely helped by legacies, while in September and October of this year very little came from that source. Notwithstanding the temporary autumnal depression in the two periods named, the income for the entire year in each case was largely in advance of the years preceding; in the earlier case, $24,000 greater; in the later, nearly $67,000 greater. We are therefore confidently expecting a like result this year. But to realize it there must be a very strong and immediate effort on the part of the Society's entire constituency.

The receipts in the seven months of the financial year already past. fall short of those of the corresponding months of 1887, by twentyseven thousand dollars ($27,000)-$15,863 in contributions, and $11,234 in legacies.

The friends of Home Missions have but to look at these figures, to see that if the missionaries are to be paid and the Society's credit at the banks is to be maintained, every church, every pastor, every Sunday-school, every executor holding bequests to the Society, every faithful steward of his Lord's money, has something to do in the matter, and that it cannot be done too quickly.

THE TEST COLUMN.

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THERE is one column in the statistical report of the Home Missionary, that, more than any other, measures the success of his work. That column carries at its head these two suggestive words, "Hopeful Conversions." The figures that tell the number of miles traveled, sermons preached, prayer meetings attended, churches built, and Sunday-schools organized, are significant only as they announce themselves sooner or later in this crucial column. The kingdom of heaven which we seek to promote consists ultimately in none of these external things, but is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." How many wayward souls have been turned from sin to holiness? In how many spirits "by restless passions tossed" has the reign of peace been set up? How many sad hearts have experienced the new joy in the Holy Ghost? These, after all, are the questions the reply to which determines success or failure. This is the fruit that abides. Church buildings are "but four square walls." Fire may consume them, cyclones' demolish them, shifting populations desert them. Churches themselves, however carefully gathered, may be decimated by deaths and removals, or melt entirely away as the tides of emigration recede. But converted souls shall live forever to bless the Savior that died for them, and the human hand that plucked them from the burning. "I have ordained "I have ordained you that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain." Brethren on the field, if you would do permanent work, work that will show in the regeneration of the world and in the great Day of the Lord, seek to fill up the column of "Hopeful Conversions."

OUR STAR CHART.-A beautiful Star Chart, 34x4 feet in size, printed in our national colors, has just been prepared by the American Home Missionary Society. It represents the work of our Seven Benev olent Societies, and is designed to hang up for permanent reference as an object lesson in the Sunday-schools of our denomination throughout the land. If the Christians of the coming generation are to be alive to the great interests of the Church and the Kingdom, the time to begin to educate them is now.

It is estimated that at least one half of the membership of our churches do not, as a rule, participate in the church benevolences, and no doubt even a larger proportion would find it difficult correctly to give the names of their Seven Societies. These Societies are the agencies of the churches in the work of saving the world for Christ. With such indifference and ignorance on the part of many of God's people, is it any wonder that the work drags, and that sacred interests are imperiled?

This Star Chart, showing "Our Work for Christ and Humanity," and

containing the names of all our Societies, with the work which each is doing, will be sent on application, free of charge, to all our Sundayschools, provided that some time during the coming year the school make a contribution to Home Missions.

Superintendent Schauffler, of Cleveland, writes: "I thank you for the Chart. Am very thankful that you are using such practical ways of getting the facts before the people, young and old."

A Pastor in New York State writes: "The Chart came in good order about a week ago. It is hung up in our Sunday-school room, and makes a bright and instructive spot, attracting all eyes."

Superintendent Curtis, of Indiana, writes: "I am delighted with the Chart. It seems to me to be a valuable means of enlisting missionary interest, and educating the youth in regard to the work of the A. H. M. S. and the other Societies. I cannot tell you how glad I am that these steps of progress are being made."

Secretary Douglass, of Iowa, says concerning the Chart: "It is a finething, and I shall be glad to do what I can to call the attention of our pastors and Sunday-school superintendents to it. If the children can be educated to love the cause of missions, the Secretaries of the next generation will not have to carry such financial burdens as do the Secretaries of to-day."

And so were it necessary we might multiply these testimonials from all over the land. The Superintendent of the late Dr. Goodell's Sunday-school in St. Louis telegraphed for two Charts and 1,000 Star Cards.. The Superintendent of Dr. Behrend's school in Brooklyn ordered five Charts and 1,000 Cards.

We shall be glad to fill any order sent by Sunday-school Superintendents or Pastors. Address Rev. C. C. Otis, Bible House, N. Y.

THE "BUNDLE OF PAPERS" is being rapidly circulated among the auxiliaries of the twenty-two Woman's State Home Missionary Organizations. The "Papers," which represent the sayings and doings of the officers of these organizations during the "All Day Meeting" in June at Saratoga, are winning golden opinions from those who have read them. The collection is considered by many as a valuable addition to missionaryliterature. To meet the demand for this pamphlet it was necessary to issue an edition of 25,000, at a cost of $220.50. This is to be met, how-ever, by voluntary contributions from individuals and State Unions, and also by the sale of the "Bundle" at five cents per copy. To help meet. this expense, the sum of $60.20 has already been placed in the treasury of the American Home Missionary Society.

THE following resolutions were introduced by Rev. James L. Hill, of Medford :

Whereas, The Woburn Conference observes with pleasure a growing interest in the observance of a National Day, in which the attention of our churches is urgently drawn toward matters that pertain to the Evangelization of our own land, as that work is undertaken by our Home Missionary Society; therefore

Resolved, I. That this Conference commends to its constituent churches, wherever it is practicable, the observance of this day.

II. The Conference urges upon the churches a large increase in their gifts to the Home Missionary Society this year.

THOSE who read the unique article upon North Wisconsin in this issue of THE HOME MISSIONARY will appreciate the regret with which the Society accepts the resignation of this efficient Superintendent of Home Missions. We heartily congratulate the American Congregational Union in securing him as one of its field secretaries. He will do a grand work wherever he is.

A REQUEST.-Will each Secretary of a Woman's H. M. Organization kindly examine the list of officers in her own State, as published on the last page of this magazine, and, at her earliest convenience, forward to this office any change of name or address? This is absolutely necessary to insure a reliable list of our State officers.

SWEDISH COSTUMES.-The Ladies' Sewing Society of Plymouth Church, Minneapolis, have made and presented to the American Home Missionary Society fifteen beautiful flags-five each of the merchant flags of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. They are to be used in the new Sunday-school concert exercise-"An Evening in Sweden"-prepared by Superintendent Montgomery. Five outfits of Swedish costumes have also been gathered in this city and sent to New York to accompany this concert exercise. —N. W. Congregationalist.

WITH the aid of these attractive costumes, which have been collected and arranged by Mrs. Montgomery, a most instructive and appetizing programme may be carried out by those who wish to add to the "Young Ladies' Swedish Fund." One important event of the evening is a Swedish collection.

LAST Sunday I read "Something New in Missouri" to our Sundayschool. (See THE HOME MISSIONARY for November.) If one thousand Congregational Sunday-schools would set apart the third Sabbath of each month for a missionary programme, closing with a missionary collection, you would not have occasion to say, "At this date there is nothing in the treasury." The reflex influence upon our Sunday-schools would be worth more than the heaviest contributions.-A Pastor.

Ir strikes me that the names of your Superintendents indicate, in a measure, your Home Missionary style of work in the rushing wickedness. of our western frontier. For instance, your society can BEARD the monster, double HooD-wink him, and swoop down upon him with HAWKES, while you FORD the floods of sin. Your work is done with the swiftness of the DOE, the despatch of the MAILE, and even WIARD by lightning. Your voice is heard in the GALE, and your views on all subjects are sure to be BROAD.-Superintendent Hood, Wisconsin.

BIRTHDAY BOXES.-These boxes are now used by a number of our Sunday-schools. The plan is simply to prepare a suitable box or barrel, have it labeled and placed upon the table. Then invite any member of the Sunday-school who has had a birthday during the last week to deposit in the box a free-will offering of as many cents as he is years old. This is a very simple exercise; it is interesting, and it is effectual in raising quite a good deal of money in a year. Try it.-Kansas Telephone.

IN an account of the recent "Wisconsin General Convention," sent to The Advance, Rev. H. A. Miner speaks a good word for Woman's Unions: :- -"The good women are rivaling their brothers in mission work. The Wisconsin Woman's Home Missionary Union has proved its right to be by the work done. Over $3,000 was received for the past year. Woman's voice is now a familiar sound from our convention platform. Mrs. E. A. Charlton gave one of the brightest and best papers of the session on Woman's Work; a paper written by Mrs. Prof. Emerson and read by her sister, Mrs. Norton, was listened to with intense interest; and Miss Sewell's address in behalf of the W. B. M. I., held the closest attention to the close. May the day never come when our good sisters shall not be heard on the same platform pleading the cause of our common Master."