"THE NEW CONTINENT OF AFRICA."

TOPICS FOR AUXILIARY MEETINGS.

23

January.-What Christianity Means to Woman (see LIFE AND LIGHT

for December).

February.-The New Continent of Africa.

March. The Power of Prayer in Foreign Mission Work.
April. Twenty-five Years in the Turkish Empire.

May. Our Great Opportunity.

June. The Redemption of India's Women.

July.-The Islands of the Sea.

August.-A Study of Some of the Great Religions of the World.

September.-Thank-Offering Meeting.

October.-The Millions in China.

November. The Gospel for Japanese Women.

December.-Mission Work in Papal Lands.

"THE NEW CONTINENT OF AFRICA."

TOPIC FOR FEBRUARY.

1. The Changes in Twenty-five Years. Under this head we would suggest a brief glimpse of the explorations of Livingstone and Stanley, taken from the life of Livingstone and from "Through the Dark Continent," or "In Darkest Africa," by Stanley; books to be found in almost every public, and many Sunday school libraries. A short extract giving a typical experience in an explorer's life might be read. A good article on Livingstone and Stanley may be found in the Missionary Review for 1891, obtained at 18 Astor Place, New York City, price 25 cents. A description of the present divisions of Africa would also be interesting. See LIFE AND LIGHT for October, 1891, Missionary Herald for February, 1891, and Atlantic Monthly for November, 1891.

2. The Missionary Work as a Factor in these Changes. A brief talk might be given on Livingstone as a missionary (see article in Missionary Review, mentioned above), or the personal influence of missionaries, see article on "Missionary Heroes in Africa" in Missionary Review for February, 1889. As a specimen of what is accomplished by missionary work, a short paper might be given on the Zulu mission. Sketches of this mission, obtained from the Board rooms, and "Forty Years Among the Zulus," by Rev. Josiah Tyler, will afford good material under this head. The latter is issued by the Sunday School and Publishing Society, and should have a place in Sunday-school libraries.

3. The effect of woman's missionary work on the future of Africa. It is universally acknowledged that educated Christian mothers have great power over the future of a nation. As a specimen of the effect of missionary work upon women in Africa, show what has already been done for them in the Zulu Mission, especially in Inanda Seminary. See LIFE AND LIGHT for June, 1879, October, 1881, May, 1885, August, 1886, January, 1888, May and October, 1890.

It may be necessary to add that it is not the intention that all these suggestions should be used in one meeting. We aim to give a variety, from which selections may be used.

LEAVES FROM OUR BRANCHES.

THE annual meeting of the New Hampshire Branch was held in Portsmouth, October 21st, in the church where the Branch was organized eighteen years ago. Portsmouth is also the home of its first secretary, and afterwards, for many years, its president, and still its honorary president, Mrs. Helen C. Knight. The kindly grace of her cordial welcome is one of the delightful memories of the day, and her words of encouragement and counsel will not soon be forgotten. Reports from the secretaries in regard to the work of the auxiliaries at home and our missionaries abroad were full of interest. There was not a dull or uninteresting sentence in either report.

The increase in the treasury, without legacies to swell the amount, was encouraging; but we wished it had been increased a hundredfold when Miss Child brought before us so vividly the ever-enlarging opportunities which our missionaries are obliged to see passing away from them, because they are powerless to take advantage of them.

Mrs. Jones, of Madura, made us glad that we had made an investment in real estate in that city. Miss Crosby, of Micronesia, brought the people of those far-off islands very near to us, and Rev. Mr. Jones, of Madura, gave us a glimpse of woman in India. Atter portraying her in her ignorance, superstition, and vanity,—a slave first to her father and then to her husband, and yet supreme in her power and influence.-he drew a bright picture of what had been accomplished by the awakening process of Christian education. The devotion of the Hindu women to their gods has been the great hindrance to progress in India, but when they come to know Christ, and transfer their devotion to him, the influence of woman will be a mighty power in uplifting and saving that vast empire.

We sang at the close of our meetings "The morning light is breaking” with an enthusiasm, as if we had already begun to see the dawn; and thanking oar kind friends for their beautital and bountiful hospitality, we came away from Ports mouth with a desire and a purpose to do our part in making at pseble for the Woman's Board to accompl all its beneficent plans for

motto Chosen by the New Hampshire Branch for the year, bung," sigested the following lines written by Mrs. Hanover, which were read at this meeting: —

IMPORTANT TO DELEGATES AND VISITORS.

Yet there is room within my fold;

I purchased it with pangs untold,

Sighs, anguish, prayers on mountains cold.

O ye, my friends, with each I plead,

If that ye are my friends indeed,
Think on my lost, their sufferings heed.

Succor my ransomed ones, who stray
Throughout the "cloudy and dark day,"
And vainly seek the King's highway.

Not one must perish, I must bring
My flock complete before the King,
And heaven shall with rejoicings ring.

E. H. L.

25

Since its organization we have not chronicled so small an attendance at an annual meeting of the Barnstable Branch as we recorded at our last one, but Falmouth is far away from many earnest workers, and some were kept at home by an "absolute necessity."

Pleasant words of welcome were given by the pastor of the church, and Miss Child brought greetings from the Board, assuring us that we were still held in remembrance. Miss Crosby, of Micronesia, spoke rapidly and earnestly of her work, bringing vividly to all the truth that our labor is not in

vain.

There is no gain to be reported in auxiliaries or mission circles, but a steadfast purpose to fulfill the pledged work of the Branch still animates the loyal workers.

ANNUAL MEETING.

THE Twenty-fourth Annual Meeting of the Woman's Board of Missions will be held in Central Congregational Church, Hancock Street, Brooklyn, N. Y., Rev. Dr. Behrends, pastor. Public meetings on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 13 and 14, 1892. All ladies interested are cordially invited to be present. A meeting for delegates only will be held on Tuesday, January 12th.

The ladies of Brooklyn will be happy to entertain in their homes all regularly accredited branch delegates and missionaries during the meeting. All such desiring entertainment are requested to send their names before January 7th to Mrs. A. Alford, 315 Monroe Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Addresses are expected at the meeting from Rev. R. S. Storrs, D.D., Rev. A. J. F. Behrends, D.D., Mrs. Joseph Cook, Mrs. C. L. Goodell, Mrs. Grace Gilberth Gale, and others, besides a goodly number of missionaries.

IMPORTANT TO DELEGATES AND VISITORS.

In order that delegates to the meeting of the Woman's Board, to be held in Central Congregational Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., January 12th, 13th, 14th, may have no trouble in reaching their destination, we give the follow

ing general directions: Those coming over the Pennsylvania Railroad can procure tickets to Brooklyn, being transferred from Jersey City by Annex boat to foot of Fulton Street. All others will procure tickets to New York, and can take either surface or elevated cars to Brooklyn Bridge or Fulton Ferry. After crossing to Brocklyn, the church may be reached from either of these named points by taking Fulton Street and East New York” horse cars or King's Co. Elevated to Franklin Avenue, and walking one block worth to church.

It is earnestly requested that the name of delegates be sent to Chairman of Hospitality Committee as soon as possible. Every delegate who sends her rame previous to January 7th will receive, before leaving home, a card of introduction to her hostess, with minute directions how to reach her place of entertainment. We trust all will comply with this request, thereby securing for themselves special attention and a comfortable home, and also aid the committee in their work. Visitors, other than delegates, will be recommended. if they desire, to good boarding places at which terms are one dollar a day and upward. The Clarendon Hotel (European plan) will furnish single rooms (without board) for one dollar, double rooms two and a half dollars, per day. St. George Hotel, three dollars per day, including room and board.

Visitors desiring the committee to engage boarding places will please send request as early as possible. All communications in regard to places of entertainment or boarding places to be addressed to Mrs. A. Alford, Chairman Hospitality Committee. 315 Monroe Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Maine Branch.-Mrs. W. S. Dana, Treas.
Searsport, Anx., 6.53; New Gloucester,
Aux., 13.50; Rockland. Aux., 40; Hallo-
well, Aux., 2: Cape Elizabeth, So. Ch.,
8: Topsham, Cong. Ch., 3: East Otisfield,
Cong. Cl.., 9, Y. P. S. C. E., 2; Casco,
Coug. Ch., 2; No. Edgcomb, Aux., 9:
Bath, Winter St. Ch., . S., 20, Central
Ch., S. S., 16; Fryeburg, Aux. of wh. 2
by Mrs. J. E. Dinsmore, 5.50, Pine Nee-
dles M. C., 4.60; So. Bridgton, Women
of Cong. Ch., 4, Mrs. Wm. B. Hague, 5;
Thomaston, Cong. Ch., S. S., 4.25,
So. Gardiner.-Cong. Ch., Aux.,

Total,

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

New Hampshire Branch.-Miss A. E.
McIntire, Treas. Candia, Aux., const.
L. M. Miss Ellen. S. Eaton, 25; Chester,
Christmas Roses, 4; Derry. East, Aux.,
15; Hampton, Lookout Guard, 3.36;
Hanover, Aux., 2; Keene, Second Ch.,

154 38
10.00

164 38

Aux. const. L. M's Miss Martha A.
Wheeler, Mrs. Abbie J. Roby.50; Kings-
ton, Aux., 8.25; Lebanon, Liuk, 8.36;
Lebanon, West. Aux.. 18: Nashua, Aux.,
100; Nelson, Aux., 5.25; North Hampton,
Aux.. 28; Wakefield, A Friend, 1; Wil-
ton, Corban Soc., 5, Rev. H. H. Colburn,
Quilt sold at Annual Meeting, Gift of
his deceased wife, 14.94,

Total,

VERMONT.

A Friend,

Vermont Branch.-Mrs. T. M. Howard,
Treas. Burlington, Aux., 25; Dorset,
S. S., 12; Montpelier, Aux., 3; Putney,
Aux. (of wh. 25 const. L. M. Miss Nellie
Clark), 30; St. Johnsbury, So. Ch., Aux.,
28, No. Ch., Aux., 20, Y. L., 1.50; Town-
shend, Aux., 18.75; Waterford, Lower,
Aux., 6. Expenses, 31.60,
Windsor.-Cong. Ch., Aux.,

288 16

288 16

11 40

112 65 2.00

RECEIPTS.