WOMAN’S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF ALABAMA.

BY MRS. H.S.  DE FOREST.

Mobile welcomed the Woman’s Missionary Association of Alabama at its twelfth annual meeting, March 31st.  A well arranged programme, with reports from the eight auxiliaries, filled with interest a three hours’ session.  Necessarily much of the work in these local societies must be for building up the church, helping toward the minister’s salary and caring for the destitute in the immediate vicinity; but it was most encouraging to note that aside from this, work had been done for the foreign field through the American Board and for the Home Missionary Society, while several societies had contributed toward the support of a teacher at Fort Berthold, Dakota, under the American Missionary Association.  Organizations were reported among the women, young women and girls, with one society of King’s Sons, who are interested in the foreign field.  The Penny Plan had been tried with much success by one society of girls.  This band has given during the year forty-five dollars for foreign, home and local work.

Interesting and practical papers were read upon “Africa and our duty to it,” “Systematic Work in our Local Societies,” and “Prohibition:  our Relation to the Movement.”

Miss Emerson, providentially present, brought the greetings of the American Missionary Association, cheering and encouraging all with her helpful and inspiring words.  Changes in the Constitution seeming desirable, they were suggested and adopted at this meeting.  The name is changed from Woman’s Missionary Association to Woman’s Missionary Union, thus bringing the society into line with similar organizations in Northern States.

Under the new wording, local societies may work for any branch of missions, home or foreign, contributions being sent through the established agencies of the Congregational churches.  By thus broadening the field, it is hoped that more and better work will be done, and that an intelligent interest will be created in many branches of the Master’s work.

The Union adjourned to meet in Marion, one year hence.

* * * * *

FOR THE CHILDREN.

* * * * *

A LETTER FROM A TEACHER IN GEORGIA.

DEAR CHILDREN: 

Would you not like to hear about some of the little black children in our mission Sunday-school down here in the Southland?  One of our scholars, a certain ragged boy, was for many weeks among the missing.  A few Sundays later, one of the first arrivals was master James, but he was so decently clad that I did not recognize him, and was obliged to inquire his name.  A blue jacket, much too large for him, and ornamented with brass buttons, gave him a very distinguished air, but we soon learned that clothes do not always