NOTES FROM NEW ENGLAND.

By District Secretary C.J.  Ryder, Boston, Mass.

TWO WAYS OF DOING IT.

“So you have come!  Well!  I don’t know but it is just as favorable a time as any.  Still, we are in a very pinched condition.  We have a debt that we have carried for ten years and have scarcely been able to pay the interest.  The parsonage is in a desperate condition, and we are very far from comfortable in it.  Secretary Hood was here two months ago, and he stirred the people up and took all that ought to be given to any of our Benevolent Societies.  Then, a month ago, Puddefoot was here, and you know he sweeps in everything that can possibly be reached.  I sometimes think that he awakens too much interest, and that the churches give too large collections.  Our women are all interested in the American Board, and will not feel like doing much for the American Missionary Association Still, it is the time for our annual collection, and I think no harm can come from an address on the A.M.A. work to-morrow.  We are very glad to see you.”

This is one way.

“How do you do, dear old friend?  I declare, it seems as if I had known you a life-time.  I am ever so glad you could come and speak to my church to-morrow.  We need stirring up tremendously.  Although my people are a large-hearted, generous people, they are so much absorbed with our own interests here, that I fear sometimes they do not appreciate the larger work done through the Benevolent Societies.  Secretary Creegan was here a little while ago and took away a splendid collection, but he left a lot of ripe grain to be gathered in the harvest of some other society.  Then, dear old Puddefoot came here and rattled the dry bones till he made living men and women out of some of the skeletons.  He took away one of the largest checks that ever went from our congregation to any benevolent cause.  Secretary Maile presented the work of the College and Education Society in such a way as to rouse the people to a sense of its great importance.  We are wonderfully glad to see you and you see are all ready for another ingathering to-morrow.  These brethren have left more than they took away in money, and have enlarged the scope of vision of a good many people.  They see the importance and the growing needs of these Mission fields, as never before.  Put in your best blows to-morrow.  Don’t be afraid that you will take anything away that ought to remain in the community; that isn’t possible.  God bless you in the splendid work the A.M.A. is doing!”

Now, brethren, these are two typical ways of meeting the collecting Secretary when he calls.

Which is the better way?

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WHAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND CHILDREN ARE DOING THROUGH THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.