Third Topic.—­What are the four grand divisions of its work, and where are its various fields of operations? (See same papers.)

Fourth Topic.—­When was the Bureau of Woman’s Work organized, and what is its special department? (See “Forty Years of Missionary Labor,” page 17; also, Leaflet “Bureau of Woman’s Work,” “Freed Women of the South,” and “Sewing Needed.”)

For pamphlets and leaflets mentioned above, apply to Miss D.E.  Emerson, 56 Reade St., New York.

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The ladies in the North who are engaged in every good work for the Lord will be glad to find that there are those in the South who share their burdens, and their faith, also.  The letter below was written by one of our most intelligent and earnest Christian workers—­a colored lady educated in one of our schools.

“Our usual lines of work have gone on with about the same results, except among the women.  Our Woman’s Prayer Meeting shows unusual fervor, and we are expecting to make this meeting felt in the community and church.  Satan seems on the war-path, and we women feel that we must be wide-awake and closer to the Lord, if the power of evil is to be checked.  In our last meeting the one feeling each expressed was:  ’What can I do?  I feel that I am called to work for the Master, but what can I do for Christ?’ In the struggle for bread, the time of many of the women is used all the day; then the house must be cared for, and when this is done, strength fails.  I tried to impress the thought that much is gained when a soul is anxious to work for the Lord, and that such a soul will not be left unguided, which seemed to comfort many a tired mother.

“My difficulty is different.  I am perplexed to know which of the many phases of Christian work to adopt for these women, and how to keep up interest and attendance without multiplying meetings.  I am confident that our regular four weekly meetings and the regular monthly meetings are all they can attend, yet they need others.  I am often reminded of my dear mother’s prayer which she used to cry out when greatly tried in the days of slavery:  ’Oh! for Job’s patience and Joshua’s resolution, that we might all pull together like Pharaoh’s horses.’  And I would add:  ’Oh! for Solomon’s wisdom and Samson’s strength, that we might understand and do the Lord’s work.’”

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{171}

RECEIPTS FOR APRIL, 1888.

   MAINE, $224.38.

Acton.  Cong.  Ch. and Soc. $5.00
Camden.  Elm St. Cong.  Ch. 22.70
Castine.  Class 9, Trinitarian Sab.  Sch., for Student Aid, Tougaloo
U. 1.26
Center Lebanon.  “A Friend” 5.00
Bingham.  Cong.  Ch. 3.15
Blue Hill.  “Pansy Band,” for Woman’s Work 2.00
Brewer.  First Cong.  Ch. and Soc. 16.50
Gorham.  Sab.  Sch. of First Cong.  Ch., for Selma, Ala. 10.00
Greenville.  Cong.  Ch. 23.00