Said our good friend, the Congregationalist, in an editorial after our inspiring meeting at Portland in October last:  “Never did the magnitude of the field, and the complex character of its labors, appear in such startling lines.  Either of the four departments of labor demands the money and the force which is distributed among all.  But, in the providence of God, this society is called upon to prosecute this fourfold work.  It cannot abandon a single field and must not be asked to.  It can do in the next five years a work for Christianity and for Congregationalism in the South and West which will tell on the coming century.  As Christians, and as Congregational Christians, we must see to it that it be not obliged to pinch its workers and to turn away from promising openings in order to keep free from debt the coming year.”

Thus charged, we have yet gone within our instructions.  We have made every dollar do more than its work.  We have gathered up the fragments that nothing be lost; and yet to-day our payments anticipate our receipts by the sum of $5,641.21.  We do not regret the anxiety and pain which it has cost us to effect what we have.  The generous words of sympathy and confidence that have come to us of late, with noble gifts, large and small, repay the solicitude and incessant care.  We thank God and his people, and hold firmly our faith in Him who said, “Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”  He opened the door.  Our faith is in Him who also said, “Ask, and ye shall receive.”

The year opened with the Association bereft of its honored President.  We come to this new year happy in our choice of the Rev. Wm. M. Taylor, D.D., of New York, to fill this most important position.  In his acceptance we congratulate the Association.

Since the year began, the churches have missed the stirring appeals of our beloved Secretary Powell, who had the especial oversight and burden of the collecting fields.  Such a life as that of James Powell is not common.  It was a grand sacrifice of undeviating love for those whose poverty made him a debtor to them.  His consecration will not be forgotten.

His sudden departure—­our great bereavement—­made necessary the transfer of the Rev. C.J.  Ryder from the field to the District Secretaryship of the Eastern District in New England, who has brought with his energy and zeal such an experience, and personal knowledge of the entire field, as to insure him the most hearty welcome and co-operation on the part of our pastors and churches.

The Rev. F.E.  Jenkins, a graduate of Williams College and of Hartford Theological Seminary, for some time earnestly engaged in our Southern work, has been appointed a field superintendent for personal examination and supervision of our churches and schools, and has already entered upon his duties.