cover, and part of a tea-set.  On another, that of a grown person, is a long pipe with a paper of tobacco, medicine boxes with powders.  A little further away we find one on which is a tooth-brush, ten medicine bottles, two lamps, a basket filled with sand, vases, tumblers, a toy boat made out of bark, and pieces of glassware.  Among other decorations we find a ball and bat, pitchers, bits of colored glass, pill boxes, teapots, etc.  But it is already growing dark, and Maud is anxious to start; I think you have seen enough to make you wonder at the curious customs, and I am sure that you want to help them to know a better way.

One day a little girl said to her teacher:  “I got religion last night.”  Shall I tell you just here, something of what they mean by “getting religion?” It means bad air, late hours, shouting, screaming, and general excitement.  Sometimes they sit for hours, and go night after night saying over and over the same words.  When they finally do “get religion,” they jump up and shout, and run about the church, falling into the arms of those standing nearest.  I think the children are looking for some strange experience.  They expect, from what they are taught, to see some vision, or hear some voice.  I try to show them the simple way of salvation by just taking Jesus at his word.

And now let us turn to a brighter scene.  One Sunday about a month ago, our pastor preached a sermon, which led us to feel that the Lord was especially near us, and that we had only to do our part to receive an outpouring of God’s Spirit.  Some of us agreed to pray for this.  Then we began to pray for our scholars, and to invite them to our meetings.  At first only a few came, but more kept coming every night, and we kept bringing in seats, until the mission room was so full we had to change to the large hall up stairs.  Every night some would rise for prayers, and we would stay and talk with them quietly, and try to show them the way to Jesus.  I think there are about forty now, who have expressed a desire to live a Christian life.  Many of them are children and young people.  Four are boys in my Sabbath-school class.  We have held prayer meetings for this after school, and many are glad to come.  About twenty joined our Christian Endeavor Society as active members, at our last consecration meeting.

And now, dear children, do you know that this is all given us in answer to prayer?  We have simply asked and received.  I knew that the home friends were praying for us.  Their prayers are a constant help.  Will you not pray this month that these little ones may be kept from falling, and that they may grow to be bright and shining lights in the world, to lead their own people out of the darkness of sin and ignorance?

Sincerely your friend,

MINNIE T. STROUT.

* * * * *

WOMAN’S STATE ORGANIZATIONS.

CO-OPERATING WITH THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.