To-day we have celebrated the birth of our dear Saviour. The first thing was the giving of presents to the laborers, which Mr. Jackson did from his own earnings. It was the custom of the former missionaries to give the laborers each a Christmas present, and they are not a people who forget very soon any favor shown them by the former missionaries. This present consisted of two goats and two bushels of rice, which was divided among them. I watched with pleasure their happy faces as each one received his portion. At ten o’clock the first bell rang for services, and at the ringing of the second bell the chapel was filled to its utmost capacity with the heathen, who came from miles around to hear and learn of Jesus, and why we celebrate this eventful day. There were so many present that we were obliged to bring in extra seats. They gave very good attention and seemed to drink in the truths of Jesus Christ as they were given them. It would have been encouraging to you could you have seen them when they were told that this dear Saviour whom we celebrate is a God who hears in Mendi, Sherbro, Timony and all other languages, and if they come to Him with pure and contrite hearts He will wash away their sins and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. From their cheerful countenances one could read that their happy hearts sung forth praises to God. I am, as you may know, a lover of singing, so we selected some of the most beautiful and appropriate hymns for the occasion. As we sung, I, like the heathen, could but exclaim praise to God in the highest. Surely Africa will be redeemed from the curse of ignorance and sin, and her sons and daughters learn to bow in reverence to the true and living God. After service, Mr. Jackson and I prepared a dinner, to which we invited the chiefs of the Bargroo river. They seemed to enjoy themselves very much indeed. The dinner consisted, as nearly as possible, of their country dishes and a plenty of pure cold water. Having a country cook, the dishes were all served up in regular country style. We had our interpreter to dine with them, so that we might be able to converse with them on the meaning of Christmas day and how they should celebrate it. We are greatly encouraged to go forward in the work. It is true that it is a hard and tedious one, but when we lean on Jesus it is made light. You would, perhaps, be pleased to know of some of our encouragements. There is an unusual amount of interest manifested on the part of the natives in religion. They take hold of the truths imparted to them as if their souls were thirsty for the living bread of heaven. They are also gradually laying aside their country fashions, such as gregrees, charms and fetiches. All of these are features of interest to one who labors among them. * * * * *