not a few, and not less able and worthy than those who have ministered to the wealthy, whom the Master has sent to preach the gospel to the poor, and who have done this in the Master's own spirit, content to be as poor as he poorer than the birds and foxes. Our church long ago learned that there are many such; that many of them when dis abled from work, and their orphans when they die, are where their wants cannot be supplied by local provision; that a general and wide-reaching system was needed to secure what the honor of religion and the love of Christ demand. "The Presbyterian "The Presbyterian Board of Relief for Disabled Ministers and the Widows and Orphans of Deceased Ministers" is the agency by which the church administers such a system. As yet, the provision thus made is quite insufficient. The readers of THE CHURCH AT HOME AND ABROAD know that much real want and suffering remain yet unrelieved. There is a wide and general awakening to this need. Plans and prayers and purposes are astir for a large endowment of this charity in our centennial year.

Is there danger that that larger effort, looking to the future, will leave present wants unsupplied? In order to report that million to the centennial General Assembly, shall we let worthy and venerable men and widowed women and orphan children shiver, and hunger, and prematurely die, this win

ter? God forbid! On such terms would not the Lord spurn our later though larger gift? Would he not wither us with his apostle's imprecation, "Thy money perish with thee"?

No, Brother Cattell; no, ye modest and needy sisters and brothers of the Lord, and ye lambs of his, that is not what we are going to do. In this month of September especially, we are to contribute to the treasury of the Board of Relief, for the needs of the current year. The generosity of these contributions, not their scantiness, will foretoken the grand success of the larger effort for a more stable and secure provision for the coming time. Let all our readers heed this now. Let all sessions and congregations heed it. In this September, if possible, if not, as soon afterward as possible, make your contribution for this year and forward it to the Board. Let it be in their treasury, that they may know what they can appropriate, and may be able to send it seasonably where fuel and winter clothing and other necessary supplies are needed. Let these come before the hearts grow sick with hope deferred, and brains succumb under the strain of anxiety.

Let us now promptly send to the Board what our brethren and sisters and their children need for the current year, and— depend upon it-we shall be all the better able and all the more happy to raise that million for the future.

Reference was made to Park College in a recent issue (p. 490), with the promise of a fuller account of the plan and working of the institution.

It is but twelve years since the college had its beginning, and yet the tests to which these first years have subjected it seem to insure its permanence. In the spring of

1875, Rev. John A. McAfee came to Parkville, Missouri, with a band of seventeen students. They had no funds on which to rely, and were drawn to the old town by the offer of buildings and land for their use. These were the property of Cel. George S. Park, and were freely granted by him for the use of the proposed college. The build

ing first occupied was a large stone structure, built for a hotel. It had stood unoccupied for many years, and still showed the marks of hard usage in war times, when it had been used for stabling purposes. A few rooms were made habitable, work was begun on the farm, and in a very few days regular work was started in the class-room. From this beginning the work grew, until in 1879 some students were ready for graduation. At that time a charter was secured, a board of trust formed, and Park College took its place in the rank of regularlyincorporated institutions of learning.

It would be impossible, in this article, to give all the steps by which the little college has advanced to its present position. Nothing more will be attempted than to show the principles on which the work is based, and give some idea of the results which are coming from the effort.

The purpose for which Park College exists is the training of young men and women, who have not the means to attend other colleges, for Christian usefulness in whatever sphere the Lord may place them. One of the characteristic features of the school is the systematic study of the Bible. Twice every day all the students are assembled for worship. Half an hour is devoted to each of these exercises, and during each year the whole Bible is passed under careful study. It seldom happens that a student remains long in Park College without coming under the saving influence of the Holy Spirit. These words occur in a printed statement coming from the Park College press: "The development of Christian life and character and a training for Christian activity are the objects for which we are striving. The Christian family is our ideal-each and every one mutually enlisted and engaged to help others."

"The

Park College, as such, differs in no essential respect from other young institutions.

It is controlled by a self-perpetuating board of trustees, which, according to the charter, must always be largely Presbyterian, and which cannot encumber the property with debt. Instructors are employed by this board, and their support secured from friends of Christian education. For this the members of the board are directly and personally responsible in the eye of the law. The peculiarity which makes Park College a marked institution is an element which has not always been clearly understood. The students come almost entirely from what is called "Park College family," or rather "Park College families," for the increased number has made division necessary. These are quite independent of the incorporated college, and constitute the special work of President McAfee and his own family. These families have no endowment, and they seek for none. The provision for their daily wants comes from two sources: (1) the products of the farm, which is worked by the young men, and (2) direct cash gifts from all parts of the land. The family principle runs through the whole establishment. Those who are able to pay five, eight or ten dollars a month to the general family fund do so. All are required, before acceptance as members of the family, to pay an entrance or trial fee either in money or in work. After their entrance into the family, all are expected to do their share of the work of the large household. From three to four hours a day are required from every one, in some department of industrial labor. The young men are employed on the farm, in the carpenter shop, at the brick yard, in the printing office, or in the heavier housework. The young ladies are busy in the kitchen, in the laundry and in all the countless details of household employment made necessary by such large numbers. No separate account is kept with each one as to the relative value or im

portance of his or her work; but all are expected to do their utmost in the given time, in just the same way that true brothers and sisters would work together for the common good. This plan acts as a sifting process. Those who have not the strength of character to stand the test soon drop out, and the remainder make a most earnest and devoted band of workers. With all the diligence that can be exercised, it is impossible to make the work of the students sustain the whole band. The generous help of Christian men and women is sought and received from all quarters. It is almost incredible that so much can be accomplished as the printed figures show. A series of statements has been prepared, which shows an enormous saving in expense by the work and oversight of the superintendents and the labor of the students. The president and his sons, who assist him in the work, receive no salaries beyond their own living, which they share in common with the band for whom they provide. It is no false claim. that the "Park College families" depend directly on God for their supplies. They are not idle; they do all that is in their power to secure the means of living and to lessen the expense of the education which they seek; but, after all, the real dependence is on the promises of God's word.

The results attained are partially set forth in the catalogue just issued for the current year. This shows a total of sixty-two graduates, twenty-seven of whom are gentlemen and thirty-five ladies. Of these gentlemen, one has died; twelve are already settled as pastors of churches in many different states; eight more have taken part of their theological course in our seminaries. One of the young ladies is a medical missionary in India, another a missionary teacher in Siam, others are filling difficult posts as home mission teachers, or have become the wives of men who are shaping the character of

our western states. The present graduating class will send at least eight of its nine gentleman members to our theological seminaries. These facts and figures show the practical outgrowth of the system pursued at Park College. It would be hard to find anywhere a set of students who are more ready to receive instruction, or who do their work more faithfully than do those who form the classes in Park College. The active spirit of true Christianity is apparent everywhere.

The college is no longer a small affair as to numbers. The catalogue shows the present college classes to contain one hundred and five students, nearly equally divided between gentlemen and ladies. The two preparatory classes contain forty-five more. The academy, which is not under the direction of the board of trustees, prepares students for the college, and holds the same relation to the families. This contains one hundred and thirty-four students. Its course covers three years. This shows that there are more than three hundred in the families provided for in President McAfee's plan.

In the department of manual labor there are many tangible results to show the industry and capacity of those who have directed and executed the work. In the winter of 1884, the young men had made such extensive alterations and improvements in an old block of stores that it had been fitted to accommodate about a hundred of the young men. Early in January of that year this building was completely destroyed by fire. All who were thus dislodged were provided with rooms which they could oc cupy through the year. Before the next school year was far advanced, a large fourstory dormitory had been erected by the students. To-day this building, called Copley Hall, stands as a valuable testimonial to the work of Park College students. It ac

commodates a large part of the young men now in the college. This is not all. Several smaller buildings have been put up by the students, and are occupied by the various departments. Brick making was begun a few years ago, and several buildings have been built by the college students from brick which they had made. These buildings were contracted for by business men of the town. For the college, the students have done the brick work, and are now rapidly finishing the wood work of a handsome new chapel building which will accommodate all the students at worship and in general exercises, as they cannot be accommodated anywhere in town now. Another large brick building is to be started soon. will be completed in three years, and will be called the Mackay Building. In this will be the recitation-rooms and all the general apartments of the college proper. It is to be remembered, at the same time, that the students do the farm work, cut and haul the winter's fuel, and do all the carpenter and blacksmith work required by such an establishment. Is it strange that so much work occupies this large band of students? They are none the worse for it.

This

They have less time for such sports as fill the leisure hours of the students in our ordinary colleges. They learn the importance of using every moment. At meal time, the students who are waiting for the bell to ring are quite sure to have books in their hands. These little breaks give them many moments to finish their preparation for the class

room.

It would not be claimed for Park College that it is the model on which all colleges are to be built. It is not adapted to every place nor to every person. It has shown one of the ways in which promising young men and women can be helped to an education. It shows how the church can increase her force of ministers. There are hundreds of young men who would gladly fit themselves to preach the gospel if they had the chance. They look to the great colleges, but the expense is so large that there is no hope for them in that quarter. They apply at Park College, and only a small part of them can be received, because the resources provided by the church are not adequate. Here is a grand chance for Christian men and women to invest their money for the Lord, and they will know that it is doing immediate service.

Those are not Arabic words, nor Syriac. I did not learn them in Syria nor in Persia. I found them in the Home Mission Monthly. They are there explained to mean "Happy Helpers," and that is the name of a band of Indian girls in the mission at Muscogee, in Indian Territory. The teacher, Miss Willey,

writes:

Interest in our little missionary band, Ah-Nuts-Kah-Sah-Futs-Kah-Ke, "Happy Helpers," increases with each meeting. Every one is now busy devising some way in which she can help swell the treasury. We began by piecing a quilt, which had been

sent to us in one of the barrels all prepared by some kind hand for sewing. This quilt we propose to send to some one more needy than ourselves, or sell it and give the money, as may seem best when the work is completed. One little girl I often find hid away in my room sewing on the missionary quilt.

I have liked the name "Coral Workers" for mission bands, but there are a number of names equally pretty and good. I am sure all our little Presbyterians will agree that this name which the Indian girls have chosen is quite as beautiful as any. "Hap