amused by-standers. It was too late now for them to undo their blunder. Our beautiful stand, brilliant with light at night, the inside walls adorned with Biblical pictures, and the counter and shelves covered with the volumes of varied size and form in which the Scriptures are offered to the Spanish people, attracted the attention of thousands. WHAT THE STAND ACCOMPLISHED. Many interesting scenes occurred during the following five or six days of the fair, - conversations with curious callers; interviews with priests, of whom there were those polite and those furious; talks with buyers; excitement when a rough fellow of the baser sort bought a Bible (with half a dollar given to him by a priest, who lingered at a distance down the alameda, watching him), and deliberately tore out the leaves and burned it in front of the stand; and visits from the authorities, who, in spite of the closest watch all the week, found no cause to molest us nor pretext for closing our doors. The colporters and their volunteer aids from our church did not leave the stand, day nor night, for five days, during which time the wide front, with its display of Bibles, was not once closed. The sales were small in themselves, but contrasted very favorably with the sales on like occasions, generally, in Madrid and elsewhere. The boast of our enemies had been loud and bold, that our work was on the point of being stopped, and our chapel closed, by the government, and that in only a little while more Santander would be rid of us and of our teachings. In the midst of these threats and boasts, lo and behold! a Bible stand in the great fair of Santander. It has been of great benefit to the evangelical work in this city and province. CALLING THE GODS TO PRAYER. NOTWITHSTANDING the double portion of the last Missionary Herald devoted to Young People, there was not room to give all the illustrations of China we had prepared. One of the notions of the Chinese, and indeed of almost all the heathen, is that their gods, since they care little for men, will not listen to any prayers or worship unless some great noise is made to keep their attention. The Bible tells us that when the priests of Baal on Mt. Carmel called on their god to let fire come down upon his altar, Elijah mocked them and said, "Cry aloud, for he is a god: either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is on a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth and must be awakened" (1 Kings xviii. 27). This was just what those priests supposed might be true, and so the Chinese think of their gods as, perhaps, absent or sleepy, and they must do something to call them and keep them awake while prayers are offered. For this purpose they sometimes use bells, not as we do to call the people together, but to call the god. In Northern China they use drums, like the one represented in the engraving on the preceding page. Gongs are also used, and sometimes fire-crackers. The noises of our 4th of July are such as the Chinese think they must keep up while worshiping, lest their god should fall asleep. Pray for these millions of people, that they may soon learn of Him who is ready, anywhere and at any hour, to hear the slightest whisper of prayer. ALMOST. 64 In keeping with the most approved missionary policy, "earliest practicable self-support,” the Missionary Herald has made an effort, for some years, to reach that point. ALMOST," was its report at the last annual meeting of the Board. Its friends in all parts of the country, and all parts of the world, were thankful that its deficit came inside of one thousand two hundred dollars. All will be glad to do what they can this year to carry this margin under, and to make, for the first time in the history of this old Monthly, the record of complete self-support. WHAT THEN? With this result gained, and a small margin on the other side, the Herald promises some improvements upon itself, which, in waiting for this day, it has long kept a profound If all will do what they can to place it at once upon a paying basis, it is believed that its value and usefulness may be greatly increased, and that without raising the subscription price. secret. "WHAT CAN I DO?" Many have asked this question. Some have already given it a practical solution, in the following answers: — 1. "If I am in arrears for 1879, I will remit at once." 2. "If I am entitled free, and propose so to receive it, I will report at once, with the dime for postage, that there may be no expense of postals or circulars and postage on my account." 3. The feature of advertisements adopted November, 1866, has been generally approved by the readers of the Herald, and is frequently serviceable to missionaries in making up their orders, besides being pecuniarily profitable. It is largely due to the proceeds of these pages that the maps and engravings have been provided from time to time. It is hoped that these may hereafter be a permanent feature. Subscribers to the Herald, whose business covers large portions of the country, or who seek foreign trade, will find this an excellent medium. Subscribers, who have no occasion to advertise, may be willing to call the attention of unexceptionable business houses to this medium. Advertisements are not admitted unless of such character as to be believed to be above question, and from parties so reliable that the readers of the Herald are safe in ordering from any distance. Advertisements of articles offered at less price than the same of good quality could be manufactured; agencies which promise improbable income from trifling investments, etc., etc., are neither solicited nor admitted. Whatever friends may do in directing first-class advertisements to the advertising pages of the Missionary Herald, will be in the direction of self-support. 4. "I will send a few new subscribers." The literary labor, cuts, type-setting, office rent, and some other items, cost as much for one thousand copies as for one hundred thousand; hence, every thousand new paying subscribers reduces the average expense per copy. Give the Herald one hundred thousand subscribers at once, and it shall show such improvements as will more than repay all the effort expended. Better than all else, the increase in readers will tell in increased contributions, so that the terrible retrenchment which threatens so many fields shall be stayed, and a wise advance may be looked for all along the lines. "CHARLES HUTCHINS, ESQ.: "SAN FRANCISCO, February 25, 1879. My dear Sir,- Enclosed please find money order for thirty-three dollars for 30 copies Missionary Herald, commencing with the January number. These are for the use of the Sabbath School Teachers of First Congregational Church of this city, Rev. Dr. Stone, Pastor. We know of no better way to create and foster a missionary spirit in the scholars of our school, than by placing the Herald in the hands of all our teachers. "L. B. BENCHLEY." The foregoing letter is both text and sermon The mention in it of a familiar name calls to mind the interest of Dr. Stone in missions and the Missionary Herald when he was pastor of the Park Street Church, Boston. Although the following, from his pen, has once appeared in print, we cannot refrain from introducing it here: 'To-day I sat down with the 'Missionary Herald' and read it through at one sitting. I began with the 'extracts from letters' of subscribers, and entered into their hearty appreciation of the monthly visitor. "Then I went on page by page, not skimming, but reading every line and word till I came to the end. "Well, I had not read far before my heart was full of feeling. The tides were in motion. My sympathies began to flow out to the laborers in distant fields, and to new-found brethren born out of darkness into the Christian family. I wanted to pray. Desire overflowed in supplication, sometimes in thanksgiving. So I prayed, not formally, only lifting my heart up in longing and intercession toward God. In this way I made progress, reading and praying, praying and reading, the two blending easily, neither interrupting the other, rather mutually helping. "And my prayers were intelligent and definite. I knew just what I wished to pray for. There were no vague and general prayers. I had always a 'case' to present. "I was impressed all along with the earnestness of the missionaries in looking for spiritual results. "I discovered how every exhibition of the genuine spirit of the Gospel commends itself to the universal human conscience and brings back a clear echo of approval." "Are not all these things written in the' 'MISSIONARY HERALD?'" A bank cashier, and one of the busiest men in New England, corrects the Herald free list, and sends a list of paying subscribers, with $51.70. Not to be Discontinued. — A kind brother corrects the free list and sends new subscribers. Some in arrears avail themselves of his letter to pay. One sends $4.50. Three send each $5.50. Best of all, they all pay to the close of 1879. Space Reserved, upon the Herald subscription books, for a good list of new subscribers from many churches. Please indicate whether or not they will commence with the January number. Most will desire to have all the numbers of the year. Specimen copies sent free to any address. Subscription price, $1.10, including prepayment of postage. Address CHARLES HUTCHINS, 2 No. 1 SOMERSET STREET, BOSTON, MASS. A Grand Excursion for Clergymen, Teachers, and their Friends, VISITING Scotland, England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, The Rhine, Belgium, etc. NUMBER LIMITED TO TWO HUNDRED. Address, for Circulars and other Information, THOMAS W. BICKNELL, General Manager, 16 Hawley Street, Boston, Mass. Mr. Bicknell refers, by permission, to Mr. Charles Hutchins, Congregational House, No. 1 Somerset St., Boston. A. H. ANDREWS & CO. LARGEST MANUFACTURERS OF School, Office, Library, and Church Office 211 and 213 Wabash Avenue, The celebrated "TRIUMPH " Paris. Also the SLATE DRAWING BOOK, for homes and Church Furniture - Pews, Pulpits, Settees, etc. COMPLETE IN TWO BOOKS! THE FRANKLIN ARITHMETICS. BY EDWIN P. SEAVER, A. M. Head Master of the English High School, Boston, AND GEORGE A. WALTON, Author of Walton's Arithmetics, Arithmetical Tables, etc. WORCESTER'S New Pronouncing Spelling Book. WORCESTER'S New Primary Spelling Book. Beautifully Illustrated. Liberal terms for introduction and exchange WILLIAM WARE & CO., Publishers, |