conversion than those given by the converts, and that they were doubly blessed in having “our pastor,” “yes,” he said, “I will say our pastor, for he is pastor to this whole community and city, lead you to Christ, and train you for service.”  His remarks were warm and sympathetic, but too personal for me to report more than the above, which is but the key-note of the kindly feeling that many of the best Christian people of other churches have toward us, as they have seen our little church come up from almost nothing to its present position of service in this community.  It has been the Lord’s doings and it is wondrous in our eyes.  We have already begun the work of training these young disciples for service, while we have our nets still spread to catch sinners for Christ.  Our motto for the year is:  To win souls for Christ and to train them for His service.

* * * * *

A GLAD THANKSGIVING.

BY MISS MARY A. BYE, WILLIAMSBURG, KY.

If any one had been the least bit homesick or unhappy from any cause on Thanksgiving day, it would have done him good to spend the day at Williamsburg Academy.  Our boys and girls were so happy all the day that no one could feel tired or sad.  After breakfast the boys thought it hardly fair for them to have all the holiday while the girls had to work, so they borrowed aprons and helped the girls.  Dishwashing, sweeping and all the various branches of housework were done in a very short time, and everybody was as merry as could be.  The boys declared that they were glad to have learned something which they did not know before, about the work the girls had to do.  Our very tallest boy, over six feet in height, was instructed in the mysteries of scouring knives.  He said he had no idea how knives were cleaned, and thought his Thanksgiving lesson worth learning.

After the housework was done the boys gathered a great quantity of holly, and our pretty new dining-room was profusely decorated.  All the family then attended the Thanksgiving services in the Christian Church; that is all except the “Mother,” who must needs watch the dinner in process of preparation.  We had a real Thanksgiving feast, in all except that our turkey was fried chicken.

Mr. Tupper contributed oranges, which were quite a treat.  One of the girls came to mother very much excited, eyes wide open and hands up, exclaiming “O, Mrs. Bye, what are them big yeller things in the dining room?” When told that they were oranges, she said, “Law!  I never seed none before.”  There were others who had never tasted them, and they watched closely to see how the teachers managed them, before they ventured to eat theirs.  Two of the teachers had written Thanksgiving verses on cards tied with ribbon, and placed at each plate.  After dinner we moved our chairs back and read our verses, after which we sang “Praise God from whom all blessings flow,” and I think it is rarely sung more heartily.  Then again the boys donned the aprons and cleared the tables and washed the dishes, while the teachers watched the fun and laughed until we were tired.  While the molasses was boiling, the scholars played games in the sitting-rooms.  Then came the “candy-pull,” and very sweetly closed the day’s festivities.