conclude with him, that the
imperative demand is for increased life, and for multiplied efforts to
save those to whom Providence has manifestly called us. The natural
and necessary growth of life has been upon us. While we have cut and
trimmed and pinched with an economy that the most careful might think
an unwise policy, there has yet been growth. Success necessitates
development. Good schools will enlarge. One church creates another.
One foothold secured in a missionary region opens districts to many
who swell the cry of need to the heart of Christian compassion "_come
over and help us_," so that with all our pruning the work has grown
beyond the slight increase of funds from our churches.

We ought to push our work. Ignorant millions need the truth which we
have. They need the knowledge which we have. They need salvation, and
if we have it and have the spirit of Christ's compassion, we will see
that they are not left in darkness. There is enough and to spare in
the hands of the disciples of Christ for this vast and increasingly
urgent work. "Why," says George W. Cable, "if you knew the national
value of this work, to say nothing of its gospel value, you would
quadruplicate it before the year is out," He calls it "the most
prolific missionary field that was ever opened to any Christian
people," "right here at your doors."
{118}

While then we have the right to thank God and his people, and reason
to take courage, we should be false to the churches and to ourselves
should we fail to accentuate the necessities of our work, and the
demand upon those in whose name we stand. Brethren, is not ours the
appeal of Christ to you for his neglected and his needy ones? Bring
your thank offerings to God and make enlargement for this enlarging
work.

* * * * *

We are thankful for our receipts from legacies. They are testimonies
that speak, from those whose lips are sealed in death, for the gospel
of Christ and its elevating and saving power when it is applied to the
low-down and the poor and the wronged. In these legacies, those who
are dead yet speak the word of life to those whom they have
remembered.

Our work, however, should be planned, not upon the uncertainties of
legacies, but upon the ability and faith of those who live and give.
It cheers us to know that our living donors are increasing and are
entering with us the doors of opportunity which God has so manifestly
opened and which no man can shut