I believe that the Apostles were right in this, and that we do well to follow in their steps. It may be that we shall have trouble which, under a less democratic régime, we might have escaped; but these troubles, if the hearts that are exercised by them are really renewed, may be made means of grace; while, if there be lurking hypocrisy, it will be, by the same means, brought to light. And, then, the smothered discontent under a system of churchly government in distinction from Christian fellowship, may be more poisonous than even open disputes can be. Encourage the free and frank expression of what lies troublesome within; thus often a few words of explanation remove the cause of friction, or, possibly, the very effort to express one’s discontent reveals its futility and unreason. Furthermore, let me add, out of oft-repeated experiences, the suggestions of these brethren who have come out of the depths of _heathenism_, and know it as no words could possibly portray it, are often very wise. The superintendent of mission work, no matter how well schooled he be in the language and literature, the history, philosophy and laws of the people for whom he labors, can never know their heathenism as they know it themselves. A system which invites such suggestions, which encourages the idea that the work is not mine only, but theirs also, which thus nurtures frankness and freedom of utterance, has advantages which no system of constraint and repression can possibly secure. And, then, it is only under conditions of liberty that the educating process can go on to best advantage. Men learn to swim, not by hearing lectures on the art, but _by swimming_; and men are educated up to manhood in Christ, to self-denial and self-control, only as they have it thrown upon them to control themselves. Men learn their weak points by being put to the test; and the weak are strengthened best by well-timed, well-measured exercise. And Christ has organized His churches with reference to this; not for the smoothest possible working of Gospel machinery, but for the highest possible attainment in faith and hope and love by each individual soul. I venture to throw out these hints as indicating the principle on which our Chinese mission is conducted; and now I wish to testify, after so many years, that if it were possible to begin again, we could choose no other one than that, the underlying principle of the “Congregational way.” GOLDEN WEDDING GIFTS. From our Treasurer’s correspondence this month, we copy the two following items: