insistent ghost, I began to study Muncie. It is about fifty miles northeast of Indianapolis, and the natural gas issues from the ground in such quantity as to give free power, light, and fuel to as many manufactories as can be established there. Just now, they are having a tremendous "boom," and the rush of laborers and the putting up of buildings is astonishing. Many poor people, wanting to be on the spot when the nail works and other factories opened, brought their families six months ago, and camped down wherever they could find a place. Many of these poor people are very ignorant, and sadly lacking in "faculty," and their mode of life while waiting for "something to turn up" is pitiable. These neglected classes, of American birth, not intemperate, but thriftless, ignorant, and specially addicted to social vices, are said to be more numerous in Indiana than elsewhere.

But, just here, among this uninviting population, our wide-awake Superintendent starts a mission. Certainly nothing could have attracted him but their need. This touched his heart with heavenly pity. Every barn and place of shelter was occupied with the new-comers, and the first meetings were of necessity held in an old rickety, unpainted store. house, in which, however, were already congregated six families of the poorest and most degraded of all. Our friend succeeded in getting a part of the lower room "partitioned off" with rough boards, and borrowed benches were put in. The building has never been lathed, plastered, or ceiled. The room is twelve by fifty feet, narrow and dark. At first the efforts of the missionary were scarcely understood, but after a little some interest began to dawn, a Sunday-school of seventy people was gathered, and they remained to hear the preaching. At last a little church of thirty members was organized.

What are the facts about MUNCIE to-day? A little church building has been put up, 28x50, with a brick foundation; the cost, including the lot, to be $1,650, of which the last $500 is to be paid in April. Will our advance guard be sustained by Christian soldiers in the rear until the fort at Muncie is fairly equipped to hold this place for Christ? Who will furnish the American Home Missionary Society with funds to keep the gospel light shining in this dark place until these wandering ones are reclaimed?

Is it not enough for gospel workers to enter such a field, and give their lives in overcoming necessary obstacles, without being burdened with. financial responsibilities? Yet, in sheer desperation, because of the NEED, Superintendent Curtis has been forced to assume such burdens. More and more I am persuaded that if the older towns could look in upon these new places, they would realize the instant necessity of work, and money would flow in, given willingly, cheerfully, and as unto the Lord.-Vermont.

Woman's Department.

One holy aim, one army strong,
One steadfast high intent;

One working band, one harvest song,

One King, Omnipotent!

"IN EVERYTHING, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God."

May I ask for money to carry on His work? "IN EVERYTHING-letyour requests be made known-"

For full missionary meetings enthused by the divine Presence? EVERYTHING let your requests be made known-"

For power to arouse the torpid church member? "IN EVERYTHING -let your requests be made known-"

For power to win souls? "IN EVERYTHING-let your requests be made known-"

For physical strength, and constantly renewed vitality to bear the responsibility, and do the work required of me in special service? "IN EVERYTHING-let your requests be made known—”

For unwavering faith that every promise of God to me, as an individual, and to the Church of Christ, shall be fulfilled? "IN EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

No one is exempt from some form of discipline in this life, and the editor of The Home Missionary is sorely tried with a fruitless attempt, once a month, to crowd forty pages of "fresh material" into twenty pages of blank space. This periodical perplexity inevitably reaches its climax at "THE WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT." Four seven-inch pages! and a wealth of material which should go out into our land to-day, for its health and healing. The editorial desk is laden with messages in letters, manuscript, and reports, rich in suggestion and inspiration, from consecrated women of thought, of earnest purpose, of burning zeal, and of rare gifts,-who love with the Christ-love, and live the Christ-life of divine service.

OFFICERS of the new Unions express their grateful appreciation of the cordial welcome extended to them by the older organizations. "Those precious, strengthening letters !" writes one, "you don't know what they do for us weak, trembling novices, who feel as though we had entered a new life!"

HOW SHE DID IT.—I have been much interested in the articles in The Home Missionary upon "Christian Economy. "Christian Economy." I am not extravagant, but this winter I had thought a new cloak and hat would be "expedient." The expense of both would have been covered by fifteen dollars; but I have decided that my cloak must do service another winter. The velvet that has graced so many bonnet frames is not so very rusty after all. A new dress which I wanted, and for which I was to spend ten dollars, is really not a necessity. So, with a clear conscience, I can spare an extra twenty-five dollars for Home Missions. What a comfort it is to do it!

-New England.

A GOOD CAUSE.-The extra pages of receipts have, at the last moment, crowded out the material prepared for the Woman's and Children's Departments. Certainly we can find no fault with the CAUSE for such postponement.

Our Young People.

GIVING.

WHAT is said in the Bible about GIVING?

Let the boys and girls of each State send all the Scripture texts they can find upon this subject. In June, we will tell you which is the BANNER STATE as to the number of verses sent to Mrs. H. S. Caswell, 34 Bible House, New York City.

A HAPPY FAMILY.

PLEASE look at the pictures, and read the story of Indiana in this number of The Home Missionary, Read about the Coal Mine Mission, and then you will understand the following letter from the Coal Mine Missionary to the Children of the Pilgrim Church, Brooklyn, N. Y.

DEAR CHILDREN:-Last Saturday morning, just as I was about to leave my home to go to my work among the the coal miners, two barrels were rolled into our little house. Having received no letter that such a blessing was so near, we were all surprised. Of course the barrels had to be opened at once to find out from whom they came. All were present, Bessie, Willie, Emma, Jane, Ellen, Blanche, and the missionary and his

Willie, our boy, opened the barrels, and one thing after another was lifted from its place, and given to its rightful owner as designated by name on the garments or package. But when Santa Claus was reached

we could keep order no longer. Nor did we try to. It was Christmas indeed, and as each package was carefully unwrapped, we found books, and such good ones! And even God's own blessed Word, a Bible for each of the children, candies and dolls. The children jumped for joy. But when we came to the little box containing $25 in gold, the climax was reached. All looked at each other as tears of gratitude ran down our cheeks, and as the missionary held the gold in his hand, and Willie his new pocket-book with $2, the silence was golden indeed. After a while both barrels were unpacked, and we were surrounded with blessings. And in the midst of these blessings we sat down and read the 103d Psalm; then we knelt and prayed for God's blessing to rest upon all the dear friends represented in the barrels. It was good to be there. And, dear friends to say we thank you is a tame expression. Our heatrs overflow with gratitude for these blessed touches of the spirit of our blessed Master, who went about doing good, and may our Heavenly Father bless you indeed.

For nearly twenty years I have been engaged in this pioneer work. I have gathered hundreds of scholars into the Sunday-school and have seen many of them unite with the church and become useful Christians. Have gathered three churches, and three houses of worship have been builtwhile I was their pastor, and now I am sent by the American Home Missionary Society into this Coal Mine missionary work, in the State of Indiana. I began preaching in an old shell of a house, where we had rough boards for seats without any backs, nailed to logs fastened to the floor. In the evening the house was crowded. We sang gospel hymns and told

the story of the Cross.

On this missionary field of mine we want money to build a little chapel, at Perth to cost about $1,000, and to pay for the one at Coal Bluff ($1,100), and the home for the missionary ($600). During the last year families came here and settled down like a cloud, and we found them destitute of the church, and of the Sunday-school, or anything to lead them to a better life.

I know what darkness, destitution, and difficulty mean; I have seen it in some of its saddest forms. And, thank God, I have seen the light. dawn on darkened hearts and lives, and I expect to see it again. Yes, the light is breaking. What you have done for us is written not only in our hearts, but is recorded in heaven by Him, who, when he comes, will say to you, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me." May the blessing of our Heavenly Father ever rest upon the Pilgrim Church of Brooklyn and upon its beloved and honored pastor.- Very thankfully and respect-fully yours, James Hayes.

American College and Education Society.

REV. JOHN A. HAMILTON, D.D., Secretary.

REV. THEODORE Y. GARDNER, Western Secretary. 10 Congregational House, Boston. JAMES M. GORDON, Esq, Treasurer. [Money for the Society may be sent to JAMES M. GORDON, Esq., Treasurer, No. 10 Congregational House, Boston; or to REV. ALEXANDER H. CLAPP, D.D., 34 Bible House, New York.]

A CRYING NEED.

SHALL IT BE MET? A CONFERENCE was recently held in Chicago at which it appeared that, while only ninety-two students graduated from our seven theological seminaries in 1888, to meet the requirements of the entire home and foreign fields, at least two hundred and ten men are needed annually, for the next five years, by home missionary superintendents, representing nine of our interior States.

If the nearly twice seven remaining interior or western States and Territories be included in this account, then the above figures, as to the need of additional men, should, at the lowest calculation, be doubled. From this it must seem clear:

First. That every unemployed minister, who is capable of service in his vocation, need waste no time in seeking a place of labor. So far, at least, as relates to the great West, "it is all place" as truly, almost, today as it was forty years ago, when the elder Beecher gave utterance to that characteristic and now famous saying. In the face of such a fact what true minister of Jesus Christ can consent to be long among the unemployed?

Second. That the young men now in our theological seminaries are called by a summons of peculiar and impressive emphasis to be ready for the Lord's work, whatever and wherever in his providence that work may be. They are not to entertain themselves with the fond ideal of some conspicuous and well-salaried pulpit, and say, "This is that for which we are especially preparing and which it is our chief purpose to secure." They are rather to hold themselves in readiness to preach and teach and suffer, if need be, according as the Lord shall open the way, whether that be in the East or West, at home or abroad.

Third. That the Church of to-day is charged with a great and solemn. responsibility touching the provision of a Christian ministry adequate to the pressing demands of the times.

She accepts as binding, the words of the inspired commission-Preach the Gospel to every creature. Should she be less regardful of those other words of divine inspiration-How shall they preach except they be sent? Who, if not the churches, should be expected to feel the force of this inquiry? Who, if not the churches, should take to heart the fact that the young men are the hope of Christ's ministry?

Yet to what extent do the churches truly pray for the young men as