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that the extra size will soon be needed, and the additional expense be repaid by the eager newcomers.

On the other hand it is clear that if a house is so small that it is practically certain that within five years it will have to be replaced by a larger one, it seems in building it as if there were an unnecessary waste.

These difficulties may be obviated in many cases, and a compromise between divergent views accomplished, by building a house upon a plan that will admit of enlargement without any great loss in pulling down, and that at the same time will present a tasteful and completed appearance both before and after such enlargement.

according to the material (wood, brick or stone) used below the windows.

Plate No. 2 represents the same church enlarged by an addition 20 by 37 feet, giving 175 additional sittings. Only the rear wall of the original building would need to disturbed. The addition could be made for from $800 to $1000.

Plate No. 3 gives the ground plan, the original building being indicated by the dark lines, and the addition by the dotted lines.

A SACRED TIE.

A private letter received a few days ago from Mrs. Throop Martin, of Willowbrook,

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especially to show how close and tender are the relationships between East and West. Those who have children and grandchildren in those infant communities feel that they have invested there so much of their treasure that it is a sacred privilege to provide for its welfare and safe keeping.

After referring to previous correspondence, Mrs. Martin writes as follows:

You will not be surprised at the interest I take in the erection of a Christian church at Florence and Mr. Whittemore's mission there, when I tell you that three of my children have been stationed at military posts in Arizona, and through them I have learned the destitution in that country of the means of grace so fully and freely enjoyed by us in this favored part of our land. When I see the zeal of the good missionary and know his earnest purpose, I want to cheer him on in his contemplated work.

Mr. Whittemore confided to me his desire to erect a house of worship, and the difficulty of doing so on account of the high prices of materials. All that he has stated is confirmed by my daughter, Mrs. Alexander, who was stationed with her husband, General Alexander, in 1868-69, at Fort McDowell, Arizona, not far from Mr. Whittemore's present field of labor.

My little granddaughter, Emily Alexander, was born at Fort McDowell on the 3d of July, 1868, the thermometer 115° in the shade. She died at a military post in New Mexico at six years of age. All that territory is "sacred soil" to me. My heart has followed my children for twenty years in their long journeyings over the mountains and plains and through the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico.

I want to see the missionaries sent there sustained and every encouragement given them by the Church at home. When Mr. Whittemore wrote me of his mission at Florence, near the ancient and celebrated ruin at Case Grande, I felt impelled to help and encourage him to the extent of my ability. My youngest daughter, with her husband (an officer of the Fourth cavalry) and their three little children, was then living at Fort Lowell, near Tucson, and my sympathy with this little family, so dear to our hearts at home, extended to the home missionary, then without a house in which he could take his family; a home was provided for him, a large contribution being made by members of the Reformed Dutch church and by our

[September,

army society, which contributed an organ. When the appeal for a church building came my heart responded again, and I resolved to do my utmost to help the missionary. As I had been successful in raising a considerable sum ten years ago by the publication of a memorial of Dr. Bushnell, it occurred to my mind to request Mr. Whittemore to make a statement which could be printed, and which could be sent to the ladies' missionary societies and sold for twenty-five cents per copy. I did not propose to draw from the treasury of any society or to interfere with any work already undertaken. I had in hand the funds to pay for the printing of a thousand copies of the little book, which is now in the printer's hands. I will send you a copy of the proof. I thought that many might become interested in "church erection" in Arizona by the information contained in Mr. Whittemore's statement.

Let us cheer on our toiling brother in his self-denying work. Great sacrifices must be made by any home missionary in Arizona.

SYSTEMATIC BENEVOLENCE. At the present time the demands upon all of our boards are increasing, while it is very doubtful whether the contributions are showing any such advance as in view of the growth of the Church might be reasonably expected.

In regard to our Board, it is certainly true that never before in its history have applications so rapidly poured in, and never before have the requests been, upon the average, for so large amounts. With its usual resources the Board cannot possibly respond to these applications. In fact, unless the contributions shall be advanced this year at least 25 per cent., the Board will be forced to cease making appropriations long before the year closes-a calamitous result to our young missionary churches.

It is therefore with the greatest interest that we read such a letter as the following, and we have the strongest convictions that by such systematic and faithful care as is indicated, if generally manifested, "the financial problem would be solved." Dif ferent localities and varying circumstances will call for varying details in method; but in the judgment of the writer, a judgment founded upon the experience of many years

1890.]

Buildings Completed without Debt in June and July.

in the pastorate, the active interest of the pastor is more effective in increasing contributions than all the expedients put together that can be devised by the officers of the boards. In many places the methods adopted by the writer of the following letter will prove most effective; the spirit manifested will insure success in any place.

PRINCEVILLE, ILL., July 7, 1890. DEAR BROTHER:-Our request for two hundred circulars had already gone in when I received your letter with enclosed card. We most heartily approve of your plan, and have used it for two years, and by the unanimous vote of the session enter upon the third. Our church contributions to the boards have more than doubled under this plan. What has been a help to us may be a suggestion to others; so I will give it to you for what it may be worth. We make application to all of the boards for circulars, sufficient to send one to each member of the congregation, addressed to each individual by means of a small printed slip, as follows:

-:

"M
"Please read this report of the Board of

consider prayerfully its needs, and give

to it as the Lord has prospered you and as you shall feel it a privilege to give.

"Return this slip with the blank filled out, Sabbath,, or send to the pastor.

"I will try to give to the Board of

- dollars and

cents.

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The pastor looks after the slips that are not returned. The next four collections will be returnable each to one of the four elders, and the last three each to one of the trustees, making the eight boards. A report will be made, giving the number contributing, the number not contributing, the number refusing to contribute or to return the slip, etc.; and at the end of the year a report showing how many have given to all of the boards, how many to seven, six, five, etc.

For us, a country church, this had proved an efficient plan. It catches the absentees, the neglectful, etc. The enclosed card came in yesterday, two weeks after the collection, from a very feeble old lady, who was not present upon the date named, and who would not probably have given anything.

I inflict this upon you because you have made provision in your circular for individual work. If the place for the name and the residence was at the top. and "Please return this

Sabbath,

253

or send to —," the expense and trouble of these extra printed slips would be avoided to us. Perhaps no one else would care for this.

I think that in some such way as this our vacant churches could be reached. An elder could manage it, and an offering would be secured even if no service were held. Could we in some way get hold of the non-contributing churches, the financial problem would be solved. Fraternally yours,

State.

C. M. TAYLOR.

BUILDINGS COMPLETED WITHOUT DEBT
IN JUNE AND JULY.
Church.
California, Golden Gate 1st,
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EDUCATION.

WHY SO MANY MINISTERS UNSETTLED?

The question calls for serious consideration. In these days, when there is such an urgent demand for evangelizing labor, it would seem a sinful waste of cultivated talents to allow any large proportion of these talents to remain unutilized for the ends to which they have been dedicated. The Church cannot afford it. The country suffers by reason of it. While the ministers possessing these talents are in many instances reduced to severe straits, as the natural consequence of neglect, why then so many standing comparatively "idle in the market place," when there are so many fields in full view lying fallow, that might be made fruitful through their efforts?

Of course it will be understood that we have in mind only such ministers as possess a sufficient degree of ability, piety, learning and strength to render them fairly useful. In regard to the really incompetent or the "uncalled," no question need be raised. Their case is plain and irremediable. Our concern touches only the other class, the reasons for whose non-employment might by a little consideration and effort be removed or obviated.

These reasons are to be found partly in the ministers themselves and partly in the churches. We give them as obtained, through not a little observation and inquiry.

The first of the reasons chargeable on ministers is a lack of appropriate delivery of what they have to say. The time has gone by when even an Edwards or a Bellamy or a Hopkins can interest an audience while holding up before their face a small, finely-written manuscript, and reading therefrom their profound thoughts. Instruction is not what the people need so much as they do impulse by the direct impact of an earnest soul upon their souls; and for this there must be a clear and forceful delivery of the truths presented, however familiar. The preacher must, first of all, speak so as to be

readily heard and understood by all before him, even to the uttermost parts of the house. The attention of the audience must not be taxed in order to get at what is said. It is a tax which many do not like to pay. It is too hard work for Sunday. The minister who compels it will not be likely to win a place, nor be endured long in one even if he should get it, especially if his lack of voice and bad articulation are accompanied with an awkward attitude and uncouth gesticulation. Within a month we have heard of several candidates failing to secure a call for precisely these defects. They miscalculated the size of the building, and read their hymns and chapters and sermons too monotonously, as not appreciating their meaning. They let their voices fall just at the important words and clauses, and so they failed of being heard by a por tion of the congregation, and consequently failed of acceptance. These defects are more prevalent and more obstructive to a settlement than many imagine. Bishop Berkeley is reported to have said that "nine tenths of the talent and learning of England were lost to it for want of attention to elocution." But however true in his day, we do better than that now in America. Yet the importance of a good delivery is too much. undervalued even among some of our ablest preachers. They unwittingly fall into bad. pulpit habits, and need the correction of some wise and sagacious critic to keep them up to the mark. Such a critic most ministers ought to have in their confidence. It would save them from many a failure.

Another cause of ill success is an apparent lack of heart in the sermon. The subjects which the preacher treats of are of the most momentous kind and such as ought to stir his deepest feelings; and if he expects to enlist the hearers' interest in them, he must show himself interested in them first. Cold statement of vital and saving truths

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