Specially kind was the hearing given the representative of the American Missionary Association work, and the eager quest for literature which followed showed that all words had not been lost.  Denominational lines were not conspicuous.  The black cat of statistics scampered across the rostrum only once or twice.  A fitting rebuke to this audacious creature was couched in the story told by a missionary of a visit he had received from another worker on the field, and their mutually forgetting to inquire into each other’s church connections, so great was their interest in the tasks in hand.  Afterwards, the Methodist brother learned that he had entertained a Baptist unawares—­Selah.

An interesting disclosure was recently made, when the organ of Vine St. Congregational Church in Cincinnati was removed from the rear to the front of the auditorium.  Midway between ceiling and floor, on either side of the recess, were two doors in the wall.  These could only be reached by ladders.  What were they for?  Ah, they have a history.  They open into rooms which, in ante-bellum days, were used as stations of the “underground railway.”  Here fugitives from across the Ohio were secreted until they could be spirited on, by night, towards the waters of Erie.  These doors on the wall speak volumes for the history of the church.  I wonder not that even now, though in the very commercial center of the city, far from the residence portion, this church is in full career of evangelistic life.  Churches with such doors as those in their walls need not be expected to vegetate, nor to die.

I like to visit the smaller churches as opportunity is given.  Their zeal for the causes of humanity is often very intense and intelligent.  Sometimes, too, their contributions are a surprise.  I know a little country church in Ohio that one day raised forty-six dollars when only forty-five persons were present.  It was ten miles by stage from the railroad.  Now another gratifying surprise:  out of that little flock several people are planning to go to the Northampton meeting.

I also know a church of foreigners, ninety-seven in membership, that raised forty-seven dollars and fifty cents for our work in an evening collection, or about fifty cents per capita.  Awhile ago these foreigners were a part of our City problem.  By the grace of God, they are now out of the equation, and themselves, in turn, become helpers in solving that other more extensive problem, of the races in the South.  Such things as these encourage us.

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The Chicago Theological Seminary is desirous of completing its files of the AMERICAN MISSIONARY for binding.  The numbers missing are:  February, 1887, October and November, 1871, January, 1862, November, 1861, the first six months of 1858, and all the numbers for 1857.  If any one has any of these magazines that he would like to give to the Seminary, he will confer a favor by sending them direct to L.A.  Allesbrooke, 45 Warren Ave., Chicago, Ill.