religious instruction, and ten churches blessed with a revival of
religion.

Four new churches organized! Only four? And yet the territory
awaiting churches holds twelve States, and each State is an empire.
Only four? And yet the darkest spot in the republic is crying for the
light of the Gospel. Only four? And yet three-fourths of the
illiteracy of the whole nation must be grappled with. Four new
churches versus ten millions of immortal souls! What are these among
so many? This is the question which the report of the American
Missionary Association for 1888 sends through the length and breadth
of American Congregationalism.

To keep us in cheer the Executive Committee puts these facts by the
side of the four new churches:

First--"In each school" (and there are seventy-six schools) "we have
an incipient church." This predicts a golden future. "Each school is
a torch of Christ in a dark place." This means advancing
illumination.

Second--There are one hundred and thirty-two old churches fully
organized and completely vitalized. All of these are centred at
strategic points.

Third--There is a living army of 8,452 adults, and of 17,114 children
carrying the banner of the Lord. These give themselves, and give
their substance, to the cause of Christ, and to the good of their
fellowmen, in a way worthy of emulation.