DIRECTORS: Rev. George Mooar, D. D., Hon. E. D. Sawyer, Rev. E. P. Baker, James M. Haven, Esq., Rev. Joseph Rowell, Rev. John Kimball, E. P. Sanford, Esq. SECRETARY: Rev. W. C. Pond. TREASURER: E. Palache, Esq. THE “CONGREGATIONAL WAY” IN MISSION WORK. REV. WM. C. POND, SAN FRANCISCO. There are two methods of dealing with converts from heathenism, whether in our own land or that from which they come. One is that which treats them as children to be provided for and controlled; the other is that which welcomes them at once as co-workers—as brethren, having only one Master, and that _our_ Master, even Christ. According to the one, the missionary lays the plans, and the converts work by it, if at all; to consult them would puff them up and make them presumptuous. According to the other,—while, of course, those who are responsible for the use of funds must control in regard to expenditures, and, consequently, must retain a veto power as to almost all projects for concerted work,—still suggestions from the brethren are cordially welcomed and carefully considered, and they are encouraged to work for Christ, with earnest prayer for _His_ guidance, each in the way Christ points out specially to him. The one is apt to say, “Do as you see us do, accepting our standard and walking by our rules;” the other inculcates principles—faith, hope, charity, and believes that with these in the heart the young disciple may become a law unto himself. I scarcely need say which of these two is the “Congregational way.” There are various objections made to this way; one, and the chief, is that it is not adapted to these undeveloped Christians—babes in Christ. They are but children, and must be treated as such. It is urged on foreign missionary fields with greater show of reason possibly, but it is the same objection which for so many years hindered the planting of Congregational churches in our new settlements at the West. We were told that Congregationalism was good for New England, but not stout enough for the rough-and-tumble, heterogeneous communities in the younger States. It is the same which is now urged against Congregationalism in the South. The negro race, we are assured, is too emotional, too ignorant, too easily carried away by every wind of doctrine or of feeling, to be entrusted with self-government.