we thank God and take courage. Our association together has been exceedingly pleasant, and we feel that we have done each other good. We have also felt that we are helping to do the Lord's work, and have thereby been brought nearer to him who says: "I will strengthen thee, I will uphold thee," and who has promised that our work of faith and labor of love shall not be in vain in the Lord. Let us still cast abroad the precious seed, in the confidence that in due time we shall reap if we faint not.

A Dorcas Society existed for a short time in connection with this association, by which $59.00 were contributed, and used in supplying garments for indigent children.

Fifteen members have been added to the society this present year. The average attendance has been better than usual. The present officers of the society are, Mrs. Dr. Sterrett, president; Mrs. J. A. McKee, vice president; Miss Anna M. Milligan, secretary; Mrs. R. A. Milligan, treasurer; Mrs. J. S. Arthur and Mrs. G. R. Slater, corresponding secretaries.

We would take this opportunity to express our gratitude to those ministers, students and others, who have from time to time aided and encouraged us by sermons, addresses and kind words.

ANNA M. MILLIGAN, Sec'y.

MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.

HOME.

THE following is the report of Mr. Dill, who labored with acceptance at Lake Reno and Round Prairie :

PARNASSUS, December 4 1876.

To the Central Board of Missions-As I do not now expect to return to Lake Reno and Round Prairie, the field to which you appointed me, I will give a report of my labors and the prospects of the cause in those places up to the time that I left.

There were thirty-one members reported at Reno, to the last Synod. Of these an aged couple, Mr. and Mrs. Johnston. have removed to Olathe, Kas. Of the others, there are about ten who for a time have not been actively co-operating with the congregation. This is much to their disadvantage, and weakens the cause financially, as well as hinders their spiritual progress.

Anxious for the good of all, and confident that this could only be secured by having peace and harmony restored, we endeavored to restore this both by preaching the word, and more especially by personal interview. And in this we were not without encouragement. Advice and admonition were received by all in good feeling, and we have reason to h that if there was a permanent laborer there, the brethren would soon be found walking and working together. By way of encouragement, I cannot speak too highly of the friendship and hospitality of all the people. manifested in the great kindness bestowed on me while laboring among them. This all the more prompts me to pray for their peace and seek their good; and none will rejoice more than I to learn of them experiencing how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

Our people gave good attendance upon Sabbath services, and that of the neighbors was encouraging. These consist of several families of the U. P. Church, who have preaching of their own half time; of Episcopalians, and of some who have no church connection.

There is a settlement of Bohemian Catholics near by, but are so securely bound by ignorance and superstition, and held captive by the Pope, that they are unapproachable.

In fact, the Church of Rome wields a strong influence throughout the State, and is fortifying herself at every point. Her people control many of the school districts, and in every instance show their hostility to the Bible. On being invited by the Superintendent of Schools in Pope county to address the County Institute, I took occasion to present the claims of the Bible in the schools. There were many Catholics in the audience and among the teachers, and the superintendent was raised one, so that there was no little indignation' aroused on hearing the hostility of the Papists, not only to the Bible but to the schools themselves, exposed. But we were gratified to learn that in the discussions that arose on the question in following sessions of the Institute, the cause of truth had many friends and defenders.

At Round Prairie we have nineteen members, who are enjoying a good deal of unanimity in sentiment and action. We found quite an interesting mission field at this place. We have here, as at Reno, several promising and interesting families of young persons growing up. In several families the husbands are not members of our church, but some of these attend our services regularly. Other families are as yet limited in means, so that the burden of pecuniary support rests chiefly on two or three families. The members in both places contribute liberally according to their means. Most of them we think give the tenth, and some exceed this. I think it will be impossible for them this year to raise their quota per member, as required in order to secure aid from the Board. The grasshoppers wasted their crops so that many will not have much beyond a comfortable livelihood. Outside of our own membership here there is good opportunity for mission work, as there is little preaching except ours on the prairie, and there are many children who have not the benefit of much religious training at home. We did not get this work so fully organized as desirable, partly for want of room for classes, and from having as much labor as we were able to accomplish.

I generally spent the first of the week in visiting the people of the community at their houses, and was kindly received by all. In this way we were able to secure the attendance of many at church, even some who were not in the habit of attending. We held our services in school-houses in and around the prairie, and these were always well filled by attentive congregations.

There are several Presbyterian families who have no services of their own, who were very regular hearers. We have many other besides-some Methodists, Baptists, Seventh-day Advents, and some having no church connection influence of the Advents in the community has been demoralizingcially their practice of working on the Christian Sabbath. They have not been received with much favor by the intelligent and pious class of people.

There is the same disadvantage here as in many other places, in having the congregations so far apart, thus dividing one's efforts. But for the present this cannot be avoided. If these congregations were provided with a stated pastor, we think it would not be long until they would become self-sustaining. We believe that this is a field that should not be neglected, and trust that the Board will be able to make some provision for it at as early a day as possible.

We have thought, and the people there feel, that it would be much to

their advantage if the missionary who labors there could be ordained, as they are so far from any ordained minister, and cannot hold sessional meetings nor enjoy the sacraments.

The country is very pretty, is nicely ornamented with beautiful lakes of clear water. Soil is of a fair quality, produces good wheat and oats. Summers are very pleasant. Winters cold, but dry and regular. Timber convenient at both places. The people do not expect to get rich fast, but can make a comfortable living.

Commending these good people to your kind consideration, and to the keeping of the good Shepherd, I remain yours, in the work of Christ.

J. W. DILL.

The Board hopes soon to have a laborer in this promising field.

It was stated some time ago that Mansfield, Ohio, had been taken under the care of the Board, and an appropriation made for its benefit. The prospects now are decidedly encouraging. It is expected now that by the first of April the membership will be between 20 and 30. Arrangements have been made by which the ordinances will be regularly dispensed. Mansfield is a growing city of 10,000 inhabitants, pleasantly located and easy of access. Mr. W. P. Clark will be pleased to give, to any persons who may desire, additional information. His address is Mansfield, Ohio.

SOUTHERN.

MR. ELLIOTT, under date of Feb. 9th, writes:

"I have had nothing special to communicate in the last three weeks. Our school seems to be as large as it ever was. I have been too busy to take the average attendance for this week, but it is about two hundred. We take in at 9 A. M., give a recess of twenty minutes at 11 A. M., and a recess of half an hour at 1 P. M., then let out at 3 P. M. Our number is now greater than we are able to comfortably accommodate. If they continue to come as they do every day, we shall be obliged to turn some off. They are here from five and from twenty miles distance in the country.

Our Sabbath school has greatly increased lately. We have about fifty in almost regular attendance. In the afternoon we have a class in the 'Confession of Faith,' and one in the 'Testimony'; also two catechumen classes-one in the Shorter, the other in the Larger Catechism. After thess classes we have preaching. Thus you see we have changed our services from night to afternoon. This gives me more rest, and then we can spend our Sabbath evenings at the Mission Home, and which are always made profitable to all by the various exercises in which we engage, such as responsive and alternate Scripture reading. questions in the Catechism, a review of the services of the day, &c. There are eight of us in the Mission Home family, and each one endeavors to contribute to the happiness of the circle.

Upon the whole, we may say our work has greatly revived in the last two months. We all feel much encouraged. Our services during the week and on Sabbath day are much better attended. Though we have been greatly afflicted and pressed down to the earth with grief, we feel that the morning with joy is dawning upon us. We have all labored with all our might to repair the awful breach that has been made. We now have great reason for rejoicing. We hope we may be constantly remembered by you at the throne of grace."

We had expected to publish in this number some extracts from a letter written by Mr. McKinney and dated Camden, Jan. 24, 1877, but find that space will not allow. Our missionaries are in good health and the prospects are encouraging. Next month we hope to give fuller information.

FOREIGN.

CHEERING NEWS FROM SYRIA.

WE gave last month an extract from a letter to Mr. Beattie from Mr. Easson, under date of December 5th, and this month we publish part of a letter from Miss Dodds to her brother. It has not been our privilege for a long time to lay before the church a missionary item of intelligence, or one better suited to awaken feelings of thankfulness in the hearts of our people for what God has wrought by those in that distant land, and to stimulate to new sacrifices and efforts in sustaining the mission work and advancing it, if possible, to still higher efficiency. It looks as if we had reached the point at which we have been aiming from the beginning, when the evangelization of the people will be undertaken and carried forward by the native Christian church. What a spirit of noble earnestness have the converts displayed! The little society in Latakiyeh, made up of the poorest of the people, contributing from $16 to $20 per month for missionary work! How many of our congregations in this country are doing as much? In regard to most of them we doubt if it can be truthfully said, She hath done what she could. Let us fervently thank God for this great token for good, and feel ourselves called upon by it to put forth fresh energy and to make new sacrifices in co-operating with the disciples in Latakiyeh in their effort to save their people from the darkness from which they have themselves been delivered. The Spirit of God is manifestly falling upon them, so that, as in times of old, those who believe are of one soul and one heart in giving, and in waiting for the Lord.

LATAKIYEH, Dec 2, 1876.

These are times of trouble, for the Moslems are very insulting. A day or two ago the soldiers went up to the mountains to chastise the Fellahin, and we looked for hot work; but rumor says to-day that things have been peaceably settled. The Turks can't afford to stir up trouble here. The Fellahin have certainly held out well. We have not as yet had any applicants from them for admission to the school.

Now I must tell you how thanksgiving day was celebrated, or kept, rather. The doctor preached a sermon on giving, reminding his hearers that as they had been brought out of spiritual bondage, it was their duty to bring thank offerings of that which we had given them. The Sabbath before this Melim had spoken to the doctor about forming a missionary society. The doctor said he thought it would be better that the proposition should come from one of themselves than from us. So after the service of thanksgiving day, some of the young men assembled and talked over the matter. The result was a meeting that night, when many subscribed, and the society was regularly organized, Mr. Selim being president and Gurgis Aintably treasurer. There are now twenty-five names on the list, the subscribers paying from one piastre (8 cents) to 5 a week. The sum total amounts to some four hundred and odd piastres; not bad for Latakiyeh, is it? Among the subscribers are Andrea, adopted son of Mrs. Theodore Vitali, Yusef Nezhar, Francise, teacher of French in the Greek .

school. These you know are outsiders entirely. Our girls are very anxious to have something to give. Temora asked aunt Beckie to give her a whipping every day, and give her a "khumsy" for the society. There is great propriety in making Gurgis Aintably treasurer. I don't know whether you knew him or not. He was not a Protestant until about two years ago. He is really a remarkable man, and often, when vexed with the selfishness of the people, the thought of him comforts us. He is so faithful in his work; never needs any looking after. Last year he gave fifteen mijidies to the mission, besides two webs of muslin as a New Year's gift to the school. He always puts into the collection box on Sabbaths. Until last Sabbath we kept the box on the table, and the people used to come up after sermon and put in. Last Sabbath we began to pass round the box. The doctor took the box, M. Selim an atlas; Gurgis thought he was to give to both, so he put 15 on the atlas and kept a mijidie to put in the close box. He was rather sold when he found that the doctor did not come to him, and he had to go up and put in before the people. The doctor has been giving him 17 piastres a day, and since the days grew shorter he asked to have his wages reduced to 12).

There was a little occurrence the other day that made quite a breeze in town. Young Mr. Michael, and some others of the French, were going through the streets and met with some soldiers. They were cursing Christians at a great rate, and Mr. M. remonstrated with them, whereupon they turned and began to curse him, and one of them drew his bayonet. Michael drew his revolver and fired it past him, giving him warning that if he did not keep quiet the next bullet would go nearer. The fellow then begged his pardon. A little more spirit of this kind on the part of Christians would keep the Moslems quiet.

ANTI-SECRET SOCIETY CONVENTION.

PURSUANT to a call from the Executive Committee, the friends of anti-secresy met in the M. E. church in the city of Hastings, December 6th, at 2 o'clock, P. M., for the purpose of uniting their efforts in tearing down the institutions of darkness in this State. The association was well represented by delegates from different parts of the State, all of whom seemed to have their whole souls in the work. All of the sessions, as well as evening lectures, were well attended. Six denominations of Christians were represented, yet, so united were they in work that one would have supposed that they all belonged to the same church. Each day's session was opened with a half hour prayer service, and the entire meeting was a spiritual as well as a social feast. Two seceding Masons, both ministers, were present. They had been Master Masons, and one of them had belonged to some other secret orders. They gave their experience in connection with the lodge, and both asserted publicly in substance that they received Masonry just as it has been revealed by William Morgan, Edmond Romayne, and others. The following preamble and resolutions were presented and unanimously adopted by the association :

WHEREAS, Free Masonry claims to be, and undoubtedly is, a religious institution, having a religious faith peculiar to itself and antagonistic to that of the Christian church; and, Whereas, it claims to have a regenerative purifying power, sufficiently strong apart from the grace of God and the blood of Jesus to qualify its subjects for heaven, thereby setting aside the mediation of Christ and the blood of the covenant; and, Whereas, secret societies have not only polluted the church and desecrated the altars of God, but have also intruded their unholy and corrupt influence upon our courts of justice and offices of trust in the state and nation; therefore,

Resolved, That Free Masonry is the foe of true religion, the Christian church, the Bible, the God of the Bible, and humanity, and should not only be kept out of the church, bnt exposed, destroyed and banished from the face of the earth; for the speedy accomplishment of which we will devoutly pray and earnestly labor.

GEORGE SWANSON, Secretary, Bedford, Calhoun county, Michigan.