A payment of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a Life Member. Correspondents are specially requested to place at the head of each letter the name of their Post Office, and the County and State in which it is located. THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY. * * * * * VOL. XXXIII. SEPTEMBER, 1879. No. 9. * * * * * American Missionary Association. * * * * * FORWARD! Dedicated to the American Missionary Association, by the Author, REV. ELI CORWIN, D.D., JACKSONVILLE, ILLS. _Strike_, valiant warrior, strike! Be foremost in the fight, And wield the battle-axe of truth With all a giant’s might; He ventures in no doubtful cause Who champions the right. _Build_ for the ages, build! Lay the foundations strong, Through all the circling centuries Of wretchedness and wrong; The tribute of the after times May to this age belong. _Work_, then, with courage, work! He labors not in vain, Who, leaning on the Mighty Arm, Counts every loss a gain; Since we may reach the glory goal Through pilgrimage of pain. _Pray_, weary watcher, pray! Upon the promise rest; Faith seems to see a _rising_ sun Sink in the darkening west; And, in the morrow’s prophecy, Is comforted and blest. We take from the columns of the _Christian Intelligencer_, the organ of the Reformed (Dutch) Church, the ingenious and suggestive article by Dr. Chamberlain, entitled “Winding up a Horse.” We are sure it will be read. * * * * * There is good sound sense in the very practical contribution on Children’s Influence in Missions, or rather on interesting children in the work of Missions, on the Children’s page. The heart which is interested intelligently in such work in its youth will never be likely to grow too busy or too old to follow the progress of the years, and the hand which has learned early to drop its pennies into the Lord’s treasury will hardly be found clenched upon its dollars in riper years. * * * * * Next month brings us around to another Annual Meeting. Our financial year ends with the last day of this month (September). Our books will be closed then for the year, and our balance will be struck. This is our reminder to all, either churches or individuals, who have intended to contribute to our work during the current year. Let your gifts be sent in speedily and as liberally as the Lord may have prospered you. Every cent received during the next thirty days helps this year’s showing. Do not let us go back of the standard maintained during the last three years! Our ambition is to report expenses all met and debt all gone. * * * * *