The readers of this department of the AMERICAN MISSIONARY magazine will remember that some time ago the Busy Bees in the First Church in Dover, N.H., contributed money enough to furnish the nucleus of a greatly needed Reference Library at Gregory Institute, Wilmington, N.C.  This was the beginning of several such movements on the part of the young people and children.  The Y.P.S.C.E. of Dorchester contributed a goodly sum for the establishment of such a library at Grand View, Tenn.  A gift toward the work in Alaska comes from the Y.P.S.C.E. at Dedham.  A good many Sunday-schools have also contributed both to the general fund and to special objects.  In Gorham, Maine, the children were greatly interested in the Stereopticon Exhibition, which was conducted by our faithful missionary, Rev. S.E.  Lathrop.  Three of them determined to give something substantial to this work.  In order to raise money, they held a Fair, making with their own hands many of the articles that were for sale.  This resulted in a considerable amount, which was supplemented by a gift from the Sunday-school to constitute one of these children, Robert Hinkley, a boy eight years of age, a Life Member of the American Missionary Association.  Is he not the youngest Life Member of our Association?  Cannot we have some letters from our friends giving the ages of children who are Life Members?  If any feel disposed to “beat the record” by the payment of thirty dollars, they can confer this honor upon their baby boy or girl.  One baby in New England, at least, has contributed to the work among the millions of neglected children, just by being born.  The father, a pastor of one of our churches, hands into the treasury each year one dollar for each pound the baby weighs.  When this is known, there will be many of our missionaries who will be praying for the health and rapid growth of that baby!

In Melrose, also, the “Golden Rule Mission Band” are helping our great work, and at the same time gaining an intelligent knowledge of this field.  At the beginning of the summer one dollar and twenty-five cents was distributed among them, each one taking five cents.  This was the seed from which they reaped a harvest of twenty-six dollars.  The following are some of the methods by which they secured this remarkable result.  One little girl bought flower-seeds and raised flowers which she sold, and made five dollars from her five cents.  Another made candy and sold it.  A little boy had a peanut stand, and one little fellow earned his money by “going without things.”  Could not older people follow his example?  It suggests Thoreau’s epigram, “Your wealth is measured by the number of things you can go without;” or, better yet, Paul’s magnificent words, “poor, yet making many rich.”  This little fellow has hit upon the real principle of success, whether the life is spent in a field of active missionary work, or in “doing without things” for Christ’s sake, that His name may be proclaimed, and that His kingdom may come.