pel effort in this part of the country. The mind of the people generally seems to be turned toward religion, and it is the subject of general conversation.

Since my last report I visited the terminus of a new railroad, about eighteen miles from here. Some there are anxious to have a Presbyterian church organized. It is in the midst of a fertile farming country and a well-to-do people. I have a large work already, but will consult presbytery and visit that point too during the week, if it seems best. May God make us all wise in his work.

LE ROY, MINNESOTA.

ANOTHER STUDENT.

REV. FRANK G. WEEKS.

I herewith hand in my resignation as missionary in this field, to undertake, as I believe, a larger work in north St. Paul, by the consent and wish of Gen. Adams, our synodical missionary.

There is strong probability that this church will unite with the church at Lime Springs, just across the line in Iowa, and together they might nearly support a pastor.

On Sabbath morning, August 7, about 70 persons sat down together at the Lord's table. This was a larger gathering than ever before. Four persons were received on profession of their faith; one was baptized. Others are waiting who express their readiness to unite at the next communion. During my stay here 51 persons have united with this church, of whom 38 were received on profession. Surely, hitherto the Lord hath helped us.

for

WOOD GULCH, WASH. TER.

REV. JAMES THOMPSON.

It gives me pleasure to state that the outlook my work is more encouraging than ever before. Let me say briefly that it is again my lot to be the only Presbyterian minister in the county and adjoining counties of Oregon. The situation adds new responsibilities, and realizing that God has in a measure used me to lay the groundwork of the gospel in this region, and that we are wholly indebted to the Board of Home Missions in God's hands for our success, I feel that faithfulness to the Presbyterian Church is a duty, and that duty is a pleasure, even under the present trying circumstances. I have made a new arrangement in my appointments, which if you do not like, tell me.

I

have dropped all my points on this field except Dot and Cleveland, at least as regular appointments, but I intend to hold them by services now and then during the week, and I have again taken up Arlington by the people's request. We cannot give up this place-one of the most thrifty and promising towns on the whole Columbia river. We have toiled there under much discouragement. Two years before Brother Cayney came there, I visited that town almost monthly, and often ran in debt for my fare across the Columbia, paid for my board and lodging at the hotel, and sometimes my purse was empty. Preached wherever there was an opening, on the street, in a saloon, in empty houses, etc. Organized a church of seventeen or nineteen, I have forgotten which. Since then you know all about the work. It has been under your own supervision, and has cost you money enough, you may think. But it will not be too expensive this year, as I give to it but one quarter of my time, preaching every fourth Sabbath of each month. Our attendance last Sabbath was very good both morning and evening. It is my hope to arrange for a protracted meeting in the near future.

And what about the school-houses and two other towns beside Arlington in that same county of Gilliam, Oregon, where they have no preaching? If I could turn myself into one more missionary I would not dare to ask for a better field on the face of the earth than Gilliam county. But I must come over to Washington and tell you further my reasons for dropping so many points at this side. Our people called for preaching more often, and I know that it is to their advantage and to the interest of the Presbyterian Church to build up our people in the truth, and I have therefore confined myself to our organizations, viz., Dot and Cleveland churches, dividing between them three Sabbaths of the month, preaching at Cleveland on the first Sabbath morning and evening, and at Dot on the second Sabbath morning and evening, and on the morning of the third Sabbath, and in the evening of the same day, at Cleveland. I omitted to say that in the afternoon of the second Sabbath I also preach to a German settlement near Dot, people who united with our church last year. At Cleveland-last preaching appointment-our little church was grandly packed with listeners. I baptized six adults who were omitted at the last reception of members. At my next appointment I

am announced for a lecture on "The General Assembly" in the evening.

At the second church (Dot) the attendance keeps up remarkably, and the house is full, as usual, although we have some unpleasant things to contend with.

I have in my possession letters from the Goldendale church urging me to come down on important matters, but my wagon is under treatment at the blacksmith's shop, and I cannot go at present.

I also enclose a letter from Prosser, which is only fifty miles from here, and is a railroad town just across the Simcoe mountains, situated on the south side of the fertile valley of Yakama, and we also have Presbyterians from your city at Horse Haven, who could be visited going over. These our brethren ought to be dearer to us than our own lives. If I can get my dilapidated wagon to hold together, I will go up and visit the brethren, and if I break down I can make it on one of the ponies.

This year I shall come out much better with my finances, and shall be able to cancel the old accounts against us. I am sure our people this year will bring up my salary to uniformity.

TACOMA, WASH. TER.

REV. P. C. STANUP.

To write and tell of what the Lord is doing for my people would be but a faint attempt to do what would wake up and inspire the most sleepy sinner to a better and profitable work both to himself and the Lord's work among the Indians. In our prayer-meetings we used to have one elder at a time to lead the meeting, but in the last three months we have had the most zealous Christian workers to lead. To hear such persons speak, pray and sing as Jane Milroy, Kate Swoyall, John Swan and the others, would be to know that the Lord surely is doing something for the Indians at Puyallup.

The Lord has taken to himself one of our faithful workers, in the death of Molly Byrd, who died last month in the midst of her brothers and sisters in Christ, and while they were holding services at her request in her house. Last Sunday being our last services at our church, John Swan, one of the elders, invited and seated in our church about fifty Nooksack Indians who are members of the Congregational church. The Indians have gone to the

hop fields, and we have appointed a meeting and services every Sunday up there during the picking season.

EUSTIS, FLORIDA. LIGHTNING AND FIRE

REV. J. H. POTTER.

On last Sabbath afternoon my house was struck by lightning and burned to the ground with most of its contents. My wife and son and myself were in at the time of the stroke, and were most mercifully preserved. It was a marked providence, for the destructive force came very close to us, and we had removed our position a very few minutes before from a few feet from where it fired the building. We lost much of our clothing and bedding, etc. The fire was so fierce and rapid that we got out but little.

PORTLAND, OREGON.

NEW CHURCH.

REV. W. MORRISON.

In Mizpah we organized with a membership of twenty-nine on 5th June. The attendance at that time on the services was about thirty-five; now it is sixty-five, and we have had as many as ninetyeight on one occasion. Five new members joined at communion, two by letter, three on profession. The new church at Sellwood, a handsome edifice which cost $2300, was dedicated last Sunday. Everything is going on as well as one could expect. I may say that the finances of Mizpah have grown larger, and that we will not require, in all probability, so much as $200 from the Board next year.

IDAHO SPRINGS, COL.

REV. E. P. THOMSON.

I am glad to be able to make my first quarterly report an encouraging one. Since coming to this field I have preached twice every Sabbath to large congregations. The evening congregation generally fills the house to the utmost, and quite a large proportion are men. The Sabbath-school too has been increasing in members.

At our last communion, the first of September, six were received into the church, five by letter and one on profession. There is an increased disposition on the part of the church members to work. During the summer a Band of Hope was organized, and during vacation met every Satur

day afternoon in the church. Since the schools have begun it meets every two weeks, and is doing a good deal for the temperance instruction of the youth of our town.

During the quarter ending September 1 I have baptized two infants. I am looking forward with a great deal of hope to the coming fall and winter, hoping for a great spiritual awakening.

WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA.

REV. M. WALDO, D.D.

I have continued my work during the quarter just closing on the same plan as during the previous four quarters, giving one half of my time to Auburndale and one quarter each to Winter Haven and Homeland. The weather has generally been favorable, yet I have lost two or three services by reason of rain. My health has been excellent, so that I have not lost a day on that account. My congregations have been good, till just now, the large numbers going north have thinned somewhat the attendance at all the services, but more at this point than any other, as more have gone from here than from either of the other churches. Money is more scarce this year than any year before since I came to Florida, four years ago in January. The "yellow-fever scare" has considerably increased this scarcity. It has checked business very perceptibly in the whole state, and business was very dull before; and it has taken away many thousands for the expenses of those going north, which else would have been used here. The disquietude in this matter is causeless and foolish, yet very natural as things go. Ignorance, superstition, a guilty conscience and unbridled selfishness will make a fool of any one, and we have lots of people whose characters are made up largely of those elements. Yellow fever smites down the courage of such at a range of two hundred and fifty miles every time.

The failure of crops has been another cause of scarcity of money. The severe cold in January and twice in March, with one hail-storm which was quite destructive at Homeland, and want of rain in April and May and early in June, and the aphis and other insects,-all these have rested destructively on my field. The aphis, for instance, destroyed a $5000 field of watermelons and cucumbers for two neighbors. This has made it hard work for the churches to collect my salary, and they are behind on all parts of the field, but not

unreasonably remiss. They are doing as well as ever in proportion to their means. This partial delay on the part of the churches has made the delay of salary from your treasury more oppressive than it would otherwise have been.

Notwithstanding the financial depression the Auburndale people have finished paying for their church blinds, and have them hung at their windows. They have also raised money for chandeliers for their church, and they are on the way from the factory. They expect soon to have them in position.

As to Punta Gorda and Fort Myers, nothing can be done south of Fort Meade for the next three or four months. Those "flat lands" will be wellnigh a continuous lake for fifty miles during the season of heavy rains just now setting in. One company has already abandoned its saw-mill for the season. I cannot now commence operations on that field before October, possibly November. Besides, I must keep Auburndale supplied for the present.

WILD TRIBES IN THE INDIAN TERRI-
TORY.

BY A KIOWA INDIAN.
CARLISLE BARRACKS, CARLISLE, July 25, 1887.

REV. W. J. MOFFATT.

MY DEAR SIR-I write to say that I read with pleasure and gladness your letter to the Home Board, published in one of their monthly papers, and I think it is just the thing wanted here in the East.

I heartily agree with you in regard to the needs of the Kiowas, Comanches and other tribes of Indians in that territory, in whose behalf you have so faithfully and eloquently appealed to the Christians in the eastern part of this Christian land. I really enjoyed reading your letter because I am a Kiowa Indian, and whatever concerns my people concerns me also, and because I am interested in the work. You have begun the work, and I prayerfully urge you to go on and fight for Christ faithfully.

God will in his own good time send more laborers, who will make those very waste places the places of godly dwellers. I am exceedingly glad and rejoice that God in his kind providence has sent you into that part of the country to spy out the land, like Joshua of old, and report the same to the church. I am particularly glad of this because there are some men who have gone out there

and spent but five to seven months, and returned east and reported the work is not to be accomplished; "there are giants living (Indian medicine men) in that part of the country," and that they are stronger than the Christian workers. Thus those men show very little faith in their Master because they were not interested in the spiritual welfare of the Indian.

I think much good can be accomplished in a few years if two or three good and energetic missionaries can be sent out there, like yourself. Do not get discouraged because of the scarcity of laborers.

I am now preparing to work among my own people, the Kiowas; have spent my first year in Lincoln Theological Seminary, at Oxford, Pa. Should the Lord permit me to labor for him, I shall do what I can.

May the Lord bless you abundantly and reward you well for the good you have done and will do among the heathen.

I am fraternally yours,

JOSHUA H. GIVEN.

P. S.-I am a Presbyterian by faith; a Kiowa Indian, full blood.

VOLGA, BROOKINGS CO., DAK. ANOTHER CHURCH DEDICATED.-A GOOD WORK GOING ON.

REV. ABEL M. WORK.

I hereby submit my report for the quarter ending with August 31, 1887. This also ends the year for which I was commissioned.

I have preached twice every Sabbath during the quarter-indeed, three times each alternate Sabbath. The work has bee encouraging. There has been increased attendance upon all our services.

We dedicated the house of worship at White one week ago yesterday, free of debt. That house is already too small to accommodate the congregations, seating one hundred and fifty. We have not unfrequently had to provide temporary seats, and then quite a number would have to stand either in the aisles or outside at the open windows. There is a bright future for White as well as a prosperous present.

Volga Presbyterian Church has the best church building in this place and the largest membership, but our work here is circumscribed. One-half the

townspeople and three-fourths of the farmers near us are Scandinavian Lutherans, who do not attend our services. Then we have a Congregational church, with a good house of worship, and a Methodist Episcopal society worshipping in our building each alternate Sabbath. We have a membership of thirty; Congregational, seven or eight; and the Methodist Episcopal, probably fifteen.

Our services here have been well attended, the seating capacity (one hundred) fully tested, and the prayer-meetings averaging for the year about twenty to twenty-five. The Sabbath-school has averaged about fifty-five.

I have received into the churches during the year, on profession, nine; by letter, four. Taken altogether, we believe the work for the year has advanced not only the cause of Presbyterianism in these communities, but the cause of Christ.

ANOTHER CHURCH DEDICATED. THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GREAT FALLS, MONT., DEDICATED AUGUST 28, 1887. REV. JOHN REID, JR.

It is with feelings of special joy and gratitude that I send you this report. "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!" is a correct expression of the sentiments aroused in the hearts of the majority of our citizens on Sabbath morning last, when the First Church opened its doors and bade a welcome to all who would keep holy-day.

HOW THE CHURCH GOT A START.

Last fall Mr. John S. Kennedy, of New York city, who is a director in the Manitoba Railroad and a stockholder of the First National Bank of this city, had a short conversation with Mr. Reid about the religious interests of this community. When the question of building came up he was appealed to and generously sent $500 to build a small temporary church to tide over the summer and to build a more substantial place of worship in the fall of this year. The trustees decided subsequently to enlarge and strengthen their original plans and put up the present neat and spacious building.

RELIGIOUS PROGRESS.

Apart from its religious character the dedication of the Presbyterian church, Sunday, August 28, will be a matter of public interest to the people of this city, wherein the leading denominations

are all likely to attain promising growth. The opening of this church marks a steady advance in the general social progress of the city since June, 1886, when thirteen residents signed the covenant which placed the members here in full, active communion with the Presbytery of Montana. Since that time the thirteen-like the original states, which were exactly of that number-have increased numerically, and are now in a position to dedicate an edifice which does credit to the city and will stimulate healthy rivalry among the other churches, nearly all of whom have selected the lots placed at their disposal by the town-site company. This gratifying progress has been accompanied by a display of good feeling which imparts to it an additional charm. Perfect concord dwells among the members of all denominations, and sectarian lines are ignored when they hold festivals for the benefit of their respective church building funds. It would seem as if in presence of the great river, the vast plains and lofty mountains, men's minds become broadened, leaving no place for sectarian rancor nor for that strife which embitters life so much in the otherwise much-favored territory of Utah.

DOES IT PAY?

REV. S. G. CLARK.

A little more than two years since the writer came to Meade county, southwest Kansas, as a home missionary. Meade Centre had just been laid out and a few cheap buildings erected, and the saw and hammer were making lively music on every hand. I stopped only to get dinner, feed my ponies and leave an appointment for preaching at a future time. So far as I could learn there was not yet a Presbyterian in town. At my first appointment for preaching two of our denomination put in an appearance, and in August a little church was organized with six members.

At first we used a tent that would hold two hundred, and congregations were good, but when the cold weather began we were obliged to meet in little, uncomfortable rooms, and seldom knew one Sabbath where we were to meet next time. At the beginning of the second year a large hall could be obtained, but at a high rent. Sometimes we occupied the hall, and then, for want of means, we used a building in which the village school was taught, but it was so open that the high winds

would sometimes blow out the lights and leave us in almost total darkness.

At length permanent arrangements were made for the use of the hall half of the time, and now that we had a permanent and comfortable place for meetings, the congregation and the church began to grow. Last Sabbath I exchanged with Rev. G. W. Fulton, a student from Chicago Theological Seminary, who is with great acceptance supplying their pulpit during the vacation, and on Monday morning was invited to assist in laying the corner-stone for a church planned to cost $3000, and on a lot that is worth $2000. The membership is now twenty-nine. The first year this little church promised $100 toward the minister's salary, but their hearts were larger than their purses, and most of it was unpaid when the year closed. The second year they paid $150 and what remained unpaid when the first year closed. This year, and before the church is two years old, they are raising $800. While they are building their church and gathering a little more strength they will need, and I have no doubt they will receive, another small donation from the Board. Then, unless some sad calamity overtakes them, which may God forbid, they will be able and willing to quit boarding and begin housekeeping entirely at their own charges. They have had in all one year of preaching, but extending through two years, and have received from the Board of Home Missions, $575. This church is now looking for a pastor, and it deserves a good one. It is, beyond most others, a united working church, and he who shall now be their leader will find them ready to co-operate with him in every good work.

There are yet five other counties here whose chief towns are still unoccupied by our church, where there are larger numbers and more strength now than Meade Centre had at the close of its first year, and where there is every reason to believe there would be a similar growth.

Shall these grand openings for our church still longer remain unoccupied? Brethren in the ministry, what do you say? Men of means, will you help the Board to send and sustain the men so much needed here? Christian men and women, will you earnestly pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers into his harvest, and if, in answer to your prayers, he calls your own son to the work, will you cheerfully give him up to this blessed, hopeful employment?