Ten Christian Endeavorers have gone from societies in Victoria, Australia, to foreign mission fields. That is one reason for the great prosperity of the Christian Endeavor cause in that colony.

Here are some new committees they have adopted in Australia: a "good word'' committee, to encourage and practise kindliness of speech; a flour committee' to make dainty dishes for the sick and prepare more substantial food for the poor; a band of housekeep. ing young ladies, to take charge of house, children, and Sunday dinner, and give overworked mothers a chance to go to church; prayer bands, to ask and receive special blessings; and many others. Of course, these things might be done without "committees," but how seldom they are!

A novel and valuable form of committee work, born on American soil, is that of the "whatsoever" committee of a certain church in Washington, D. C. This is a committee whose purpose is to do the little things that, being everybody's business, are usually done by nobody. It does odds and ends of work that Christian leaders are likely to think hardly worth while. It is the gap-filling committee, and every society and church needs one.

Endeavor societies took active part in what was, it is to be hoped, the final contest for Sunday closing of the World's Fair, the petitioning of the commis. sioners. A large number of societies and unions sent earnestly worded requests, fully signed, not only by their own members, but by the prominent men of their towns.

Societies on this side the Pacific should be stirred to healthy rivalry by the brisk news that is coming in such a flood nowadays from Christian Endeavorers in Australia. An especially inspiring record is that of the Sundayschool committee which added one hun

dred and twelve scholars to its Sunday. school during the past year. A noble showing, yet one that many an American society might equal with a little more effort.

Not satisfied with separate temperance committees in the various societies, the West Division of the Chicago Union has established a union temperance committee, which can unite the forces and focus them effectively on many of the most crying evils of that wicked city. Why is not this a good idea for all city unions?

The Friends are rapidly banding together their Endeavor societies into Yearly Meeting Unions, analogous to the Conference and Presbyterial unions of other denominations. Eight of these have been formed, and it is a most hopeful fact that four of these unions are furnishing funds to support each a foreign missionary.

It is a distinctly understood Christian Endeavor principle that all officers of State and local unions-yes, and of the United Society, too-shall serve without salaries, solely for the love of the Master. Secretary Baer has recently obtained the written statements of nearly all State presidents and secretaries, who cordially affirm their agreement with this principle. Even Dr. Clark himself gets no pay for his services as president of the United Society. The trustees also all serve purely for the love of the

cause.

The earnest Canadian missionary, Rev. Egerton R. Young, has founded a large Christian Endeavor society among the Cree Indians of the Northwest Territory. The essential Christian Endeavor literature is being translated into the Cree language.

Two famous churches in the United Kingdom have recently formed Christian Endeavor societies. One is in Glasgow, Scotland, the church of Rev.

James Stalker, D.D. The other is in Birmingham, England, the church of Rev. R. W. Dale, D.D.

A full Christian Endeavor manual in the Armenian and Turkish languages has lately been prepared. The French are also translating Christian Endeavor literature, and the societies are multiplying, not merely in Paris, but in the country districts.

Here is a good Christian Endeavor missionary incident. In a certain society a young lady tried earnestly for four years to persuade her comrades to establish a missionary committee. At last, wearied with her importunity, Miss A. remarked, "Oh, do give it a trial! G. will never let us alone until we do." They gave it a six months' trial, and the committee was not discontinued. On the contrary, the very Miss A, who made that slighting remark is now in training for missionary work, to be supported by that same society.

Mr. Alfred Hutton, a member of Parliament from Yorkshire, England, is an ardent Endeavorer, and the treasurer of the Bradford Christian Endeavor Union.

We have lately heard of several societies whose temperance committees have made a specialty of raising money to send drunkards, who wish to reform, to Keeley Cure or similar establishments.

A few weeks ago news reached the Boston headquarters simultaneously of extensions of Christian Endeavor work in localities as widely sundered as Chili and Burma. In each of these lands are seen the genuine Endeavor zeal and helpfulness and methods of work.

Quietly but surely the idea of "senior societies of Christian Endeavor," wherein older church-members and graduates from the young people's society may work on in Christian Endeavor ways, is gaining ground. The Connecticut State convention urged the idea by a formal vote, and several religious papers of prominence are pushing the plan. Practical trial in a number of churches is proving its value.

California now has another Chinese society of Christian Endeavor. It was

organized in the Presbyterian Mission of Oakland, with the assistance of Rev. Ug Poon Chew. Ly Moon was chosen president. Among the refreshments that followed the first meeting was genuine tea.

The board of trustees of the United Society has suffered its first loss at the hands of death. Choate Burnham, Esq., one of the earliest and stanchest friends of the cause, has passed away. He was an old man with a young and ardent heart, and he has been of the utmost service, not merely in the present prosperity of the Christian Endeavor movement, but in the earlier days, when it was winning its way and fighting its battles.

It is the Moravian Church now that wisely proposes to draw its Endeavorers together into a denominational Christian Endeavor union. A strong organization has been effected, the field well divided, and great Christian Endeavor growth may be expected among the Moravians.

During the month of his stay in Australia Dr. Clark was expected to attend and speak at seventy different meetings, and at many of them more than once! Evidently his tour is more than a pleasure trip.

Here is the portrait of Dr. Clark as he appears to a prominent Australian clergyman: "We think here that we can understand some of the success of the Christian Endeavor movement by the bearing and character of its founder. His magnificent sincerity and openness, the complete and conspicuous absence of artificiality in nature and manner, mark a Christian gentleman strong in attractive power. This to the general observer. To those with whom he lived, he blossomed more richly. At closer quarters one felt that one was having fellowship with a good man, The contact of sympathy was complete. Diplomacy was out of court. Heart touched heart in a fellowship which one ever felt precious."

Dr. Clark's month in Australia was one eminently fruitful of good to the

cause. Everywhere were thronged audiences, eager attention and inquiry, the most unbounded hospitality and overflowing cordiality. Through this visit of the president of the United Society, Christian Endeavor in America will gain as much as it gives, in enlarged plans of work and revived enthusiasm. Possibly the chief gain to the cause from this journey will be the assurance, placed beyond doubt, that Christian Endeavor is a world-movement, suited to all nations, and bringing forth equally glorious fruit under all skies.

The conventions held by the State Christian Endeavor unions this fall have been remarkable for their spiritual tone the prominence and ability of the speakers, and the large numbers of the delegates. Never have Christian Endeavor State conventions excelled those of this season in these three particulars. The third annual convention of Texas drew together two hundred enthusiastic delegates and a large body of able clergymen. Over a thousand Endeavorers came together in New Hampshire, to be addressed by such speakers as Dr. Arthur Little, William Shaw, treasurer of the United Society, William McNeil, Thomas E. Besolow, the African prince, and Mrs. Alice May Scudder. Mr. Sankey led the singing. The rousing meeting in Connecticut emphasized evangelization, and set on foot many practical plans. Among the speakers were General Howard, Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman, Dr. Josiah Strong, Dr. D. J. Burrell, and Rev. N. Boynton. More than fifteen hundred Endeavorers gathered in Massachusetts, to be aroused to fresh enthusiasm by such men as Dr. James L. Hill, Rev. Lawrence Phelps, Rev. C. P. Mills, Rev. Leroy S. Bean, Secretary Gordon, of the Boston Y. M. C. A., Rev. Henry T. McEwen, and Dr. W. E. Park. Five hundred Nebraskans held an especially helpful Endeavor convention. More than two thousand of Pennsylvania's Endeavorers met, and were addressed by Dr. W. H. McMillan, Dr. J. H. Weber, Dr. Sylvanus Stall, President

Moffat, Dr. Chapman, and many others. New York held the best convention of its history, with two thousand delegates, with Mr. Sankey, Faye Huntington, Dr. H. H. Stebbins, Rev. C. A. Dickinson, and many other able speakers. Oregon had a wide-awake convention, and Minnesota too, with Dr. Wayland Hoyt, Dr. H. H. French, Rev. R. W. Brokaw, and Rev. W. W. Sleeper. Vermont's convention was the best in her history, from Dr. H. C. Farrar's stirring address to the close. Iowa gathered five hundred delegates from outside the convention city, and held a rousing meeting. New Jersey had eight hundred delegates, and, among many other strong speakers, Dr. C. F. Deems. Seven hundred met in Wisconsin; Quebec's second annual convention was large and enthusiastic; Missouri had seven hundred delegates and a magnificent programme, and Ontario's convention, with nearly a thousand delegates, with Dr. A. C. Dixon, Bishop Baldwin, Dr. J. A. R. Dickson, and Dr. S. P. Rose, was remarkably successful. Not the least noteworthy of the conventions of the two months under review was the first State conven. tion held in South Carolina, a State far behind the rest, hitherto, in Endeavor work. A full list of the prominent speakers at these conventions would be a remarkable one, not merely in the number and prominence of the men, but in the variety of evangelical faith represented. Baptists and Methodists, Presbyterians and Congregationalists, Lutherans, Reformed, Disciple, Moravian, Quaker-all these, and a score more, would be found fairly represented. To fill Dr. Clark's place at these conventions many men have given much time and earnest zeal. Prominent among these are Treasurer Shaw, Mr. William McNeil, brother of the famous Scotch evangelist, and many members of the board of trustees. Overflow meetings have been the rule at these meetings, the utmost enthusiasm has been manifested, and a beautiful spirit of consecration has been exhibited and fostered.

Dr. Strong's New Book.

The admirable article* in this number, by Dr. Josiah Strong, author of "Our Country," and one of our editorial cor. respondents, we have obtained, by joint permission of the author and his publishers, Messrs. Baker & Taylor, it being Chapter I. of Dr. Strong's forthcoming book, "The New Era." Knowing the general plan and scope of the work just about to appear, we greatly desired to print in these pages the substance of its magnificent opening chapter, partly for its intrinsic value as a source of inspiration on missions, and partly to whet the appetite of the reader for more. Dr. Strong has struck the philosophy of his. tory, and as one of the most vigorous thinkers of the age will command a hearing. Our readers may be interested to know what other themes are to be discussed in this book, and by Dr. Strong's permission we give the titles of the other chapters:

Chapter II. The Destiny of the Race. Chapter III. The Contribution made by the Three Great Races of Antiquity. Chapter IV. The Contribution made by the Anglo-Saxon.

er.

Chapter V. The Authoritative Teach

Chapter VI. The Two Fundamental Laws of Christ.

Chapter VII. Popular Discontent. Chapter VIII. The Problem of the Country.

Chapter IX. The Problem of the City. Chapter X. The Separation of the Masses from the Church.

Chapter XI. The Mission of the Church.

Chapter XII. The Necessity of New Methods.

Chapter XIII. Necessity of Personal Contact.

ples Applied to the Two Great Problems.

Chapter XVI. An Enthusiasm for Humanity.

London, and, in fact, all England, is in a state of ferment. The well-known conflict between Labor and Capital comes now and then, and with greater frequency, to the front. Ten thousand Jews in the city of London propose to march barefooted through the streets; and it is said they are in a practically half-starved condition. It is also said that nearly twenty thousand engineers are out of employment in this metropolis alone. The poverty is abject and appalling, and the condition of the poor threatens the very stability of the nation. This matter of the conflict between employers and employed must have a speedy settlement; and he will be the greatest statesman of this present era who is able to reconcile these adjusting interests and claims. At present no one has appeared above the horizon who seems competent to grapple with these immense issues. There seems to be little use in preaching the Gospel to halfstarved people out of employment, whose particular clamor is for bread; and this is one of the greatest missionary questions of the age.

Chapter XV. The Two Great Princi.

"The Nineteenth Century One of Preparation," page 7.

Probably in the whole history of the world there has never before been a day set apart in the heathen or pagan or Mohammedan lands for prayer for the

preservation of false faiths. But what a mighty concession to the growing power of Christianity is the fact that its foes are impelled to cry to their gods, like the prophets of Baal, for their interposition in behalf of the corrupt religions of the world.

That same day—October 30th-was set apart by the Student Volunteers for prayer for the breaking down of the barriers of heathen, pagan, and Moslem faiths. It is perhaps an equally significant though melancholy fact that the succeeding Sabbath, November 6th, was set apart in London as the "Museum Sunday," and that in many even of the evangelical churches and chapels that day was given up to the public plea for the opening on the Lord's Day of the various museums and galleries of art.

The preaching of the Gospel largely gave way to what, in the eyes of the most sagacious students of social and religious questions, means the breaking down of the sacred limits of Sabbath rest.

A Free Church congress has just been held (November) at Manchester for the emphasizing of points of agreement between Nonconformists. It was very largely attended, and many very admirable addresses were delivered. We cannot have much hope of any close unity while two obstacles continue to exist: first, denominational bigotry, such as shows itself in those Baptists who either cannot or will not see that any devout, intelligent Scripture student can honestly differ from them on infant baptism, believers' baptism, and immersion as the only proper mode of baptism; or secondly, loose and unwarrantable views of the inspiration of the Scriptures, such as some of us never can abide or quietly tolerate, make such unity impossible.

Missionary Reinforcements.

The International Missionary Alliance has just sent out a new party of missionaries to a most important and novel field,

This society has been in existence about five years, and its Board of Management consists of 30 ministers and Christian workers representing the various evangelical denominations. Its head offices are in New York City, corner of Broadway and Forty-fifth Street. It has now about 150 missionaries in various countries. About 25 went out to the Congo last May, and two other parties to India in July and August, consisting of 16 persons. On Wednesday morning, November 9th, another party of 14 sailed for Liverpool on their way to the Soudan. Their field is the largest single country in Africa, with a population of about 90,000,000, stretching from Khartoum on the Red Sea to Sierra Leone on the Atlantic Ocean, a strip of 4000 miles long by 1000 miles wide. This densely populated region is wholly unevangelized.

The first missionary party sailed two years ago under the leadership of Mr. Kingman to this field from New York, Others have since followed. The present reinforcement will increase the working force to 20. Their base of operations is Freetown, Sierra Leone, and their line of advance is up the Rokelle River, which they have already ascended nearly 100 miles, and planted a number of stations. The present party will occupy about 8 stations.

Hardships in the Mission Field.

It is a sign of the imperfection in our mission work that we still hear so much spoken of the privations with which missionaries have "necessarily" to put up. To every servant of God who offers himself for the work the question is put, "Are you really going to give up all social comforts and live in those barbarous regions?"

Naturally the earnest and obedient follower of Jesus Christ replies that "the love of God constraineth him," and lays his hand on the passages which mark out to him this path of duty. He leaves the "hardships" in