American Missionary | Page 9

funds are disbursed on the sound principles of this
Association.
III. This systematic spending of benevolent funds also secures
permanency. How few deaths there are in the family of A.M.A. schools
and churches! Why? Because these missions are born through wisdom
and sound judgment. These schools and churches are not only
permanent but they will also perpetuate the great fundamental
principles of the churches whose prayers and money have gone into
their establishment.
These missions cannot become Roman Catholic or infidel. They cannot
drift away from the safe moorings of evangelical truth, unless the
churches to which they are tied up give way. The churches control
these missions forever. Local management in this work often means
mismanagement, on account of the peculiar surroundings in which
these schools are placed. They differ radically from schools and
colleges planted among the new settlers in the West. Here in the South
there is no considerable intelligent Christian constituency to direct their
work, manage their affairs and keep them in close connection with
Congregational conferences and councils.
IV. Lastly. By means of this systematic spending you keep step with
the grand onward movement of God's providence in the marvelous
openings of this great missionary field. How wonderfully this work
develops! The primary schools of the early period have grown into
normal and preparatory institutes and colleges and theological
seminaries, although the primary work is still being done and well done!
New schools are being planted. "Enter the mountains with your mission
host," came the command, and it was done. Industrial training became
necessary to the best furnishing of these young people for their

life-work and their largest intellectual development, and now thorough
training in these departments is furnished by the schools of the
American Missionary Association. The grand work has kept step with
the developing needs.
I asked one of the most experienced teachers and missionaries in the
South what feature of the A.M.A. especially impressed him. He replied
at once, "The wonderful and consummate statesmanship displayed in
its management. The wisdom manifested in planting schools and
churches, and in keeping pace with the new and constantly changing
conditions of this great and perplexing field, absolutely astounds me."
This is no tribute to those of us who have recently entered this service.
To sum up this argument, then: By the systematic method of spending
through the A.M.A., you avoid--
I. Waste, (1.) In administration. (2.) In field work.
II. You secure the wisest apportionment of the work, (1.) Appeals are
systematic. (2.) The work is developed proportionately. (3.) And each
department is systematically conducted.
III. You can secure permanency in the work, (b.) And perpetuate the
principles you believe to be of fundamental importance in uplifting
these races.
IV. You keep step with God's providence in the development of these
fields.
It is told us that during the days that immediately preceded the capture
of Richmond, Sheridan was in hot pursuit of Lee's retreating troops. He
telegraphed to Grant, "I think if the thing is pushed Lee will surrender."
There came flashing back this laconic message from that silent soldier,
"Push things." They were pushed, and within a few weeks Lee's army
was annihilated, and the sword of the haughty rebel was in the hands of
the loyal Grant. The Union army had pushed through the broken
fortifications around Richmond and planted the grand old stars and
stripes, battle-stained and bullet-torn, above the dome of the rebel
capitol, never, never, never to be pulled down again by disloyal hands.
My brethren, there comes flashing to us to-day from this army of
Christ-like men and women away out yonder in front of us, from out
the heat of battle against ignorance, and prejudice, and misery, and sin,
these stirring words: "We can take these lowlands and mountains and
prairies and ocean coasts for our Lord, and for his Christ, now if the

thing be pushed."
What message shall we send back to them, O people of God?
Shall it not be this? "We pledge you our prayers, our sympathy, our
best sons and daughters and five hundred thousand dollars in
consecrated money this year; and in the great name of the Lord our God
let the thing be pushed."
* * * * *
THE CHINESE.
SCRAPS FROM MY CORRESPONDENCE.
BY REV. W.C. POND.
Our limited space forbids the publication of extended correspondence;
and yet, often, in the familiar and unstudied letters which I receive from
our workers, there are paragraphs or sentences which I greatly desire
that our Eastern friends and helpers might share with me. The
following are a few of these.
Mrs. Carrington, our very faithful and efficient teacher at Sacramento,
writes as follows: "Our school seems in better condition than for many
months. Chin Toy [missionary helper] is true and watchful. Two joined