trong all through the mountains. They are bigoted
and ignorant, and boast that their knowledge comes direct from the
throne, and they have nothing to do with man-made theories, as they
call education. Their preaching is a sort of canting reiteration of
the text and what few Scripture verses they chance to know and some
hackneyed expressions. They are great on arguing, and it would be
laughable if it was not so pitiful to hear the profound questions
they discuss. Last season one of these preachers nearly broke up one
of our mission Sunday-Schools, which we could attend only each
alternate Sabbath. In the passage that reads "And anon they tell
Him," he contended that A-non was an angel, and _they_ referred to
the angel A-non. Each Sunday when we were not there that important
question had to be discussed.

One of these same preachers took his children from school because
they were taught the heresy in geography that the world is round.
They do all they can to prejudice the people against our work. They
call our religion railroad religion. They are great barriers in our
way. Still we have been cheered this year to see that their hold on
the young people is loosening, and we are getting their hearts in
spite of the protests of their parents. One of our mission
Sunday-Schools, which has averaged this season one hundred, is
composed almost entirely of young people and children, seldom ever a
parent there.

The Smith American Organ Co. have honored God and themselves, and
will ever be held by some hearts in grateful remembrance by their
gift to that society of a new organ. I have some times thought, as I
have heard the young voices ring out with such enthusiasm, that,
though critics might smile at our endeavor, Heaven would not disdain
our offering of praise. The dingy low walls, the glass-less windows,
the tobacco besmeared floor, become transformed to a holy temple,
where God deigned to make visible His presence, and it has been a
sacred place. Our hope of this people centres largely in the young.
If it were not for them, we could not feel it right to stay among
them.

Another barrier to be overcome is their habits of worship. They have
meetings but once a month during the summer and none at all during
the winter. When they have service it is more for a visit than
worship. Their churches are rough log houses, and so small that the
greater part of the congregation remain out of doors. Four or more
ministers are always in