We know too well how the financial pressure of the year has crippled one and another of them. Their letters—not empty, either—have told us, in confidence, from time to time, of their losses, and we know that their gifts this year have testified to unusual self-denials, and to deepening convictions of the greatness of their work through us. And the best of it all is, that these gifts have not diminished from either of the classes from which our work is supported, the living or the dead. For the ability to make this statement, and in times like these, we thank you, generous friends, and we thank Him whose money you are permitted to administer. We take courage, and congratulate the poor for whom we labor, and whose hope is in your remembrance of them. In addition to the receipts above mentioned, we have received, towards the payment of our debt, to April 1st, $8,921.72, and also pledges, for the same purpose, of $6,950, the most of which is conditioned on the payment of the whole debt within the year. These figures encourage us to hope that our friends will go on, in the same quiet and inexpensive way, until our whole debt shall be entirely extinguished, and our hands unloosed for a more earnest grapple with the great task of lifting up the needy and ignorant, and yet hopeful races, for which we labor in America and in Africa. Brethren, we may not be thought politic by all, but we believe in perfect frankness with our donors and the whole public. We have a diminishing debt, curtailed expenses, and an increasing revenue. What, then? Shall any one withhold a dollar designed for us on that account? By no means. Rather continue to endorse our policy of economy and thrift. You are showing your confidence; do not withhold it. And the need? The work is pressing on us from all sides. We have to plan continually how to make each dollar do the work of two.