A paper prepared by Miss Wilcox, of Burrell School, “Helps or Hindrances, Which?” was read by the Secretary, being a practical and earnest appeal to all Christian workers in the field to be more self-denying and untiring in their efforts for the women and girls for whom they are laboring. Another by Mrs. Headen was read on “The Gain of Giving,” reviewing three points “How, When and What Shall We Give,” aptly quoting Scripture to sustain her arguments and making a practical application. We cannot fail to be encouraged and strengthened by this mutual interchange of thoughts, and to have our hearts drawn out in closer sympathy, while listening to the prayers of those for whom we are laboring that they may become sons and daughters of the Great King. * * * * * AFRICA. * * * * * MR. LADD’S JOURNAL. _Sunday, Dec. 25._--Christmas morning in the tropics! My ankle is much better, though I cannot use my foot yet. We started at 8 A.M.; stopped for lunch under some trees at _Gaigy_. We are getting rather tired of our hard fare, and long for one good, square meal. We have kept further from the river than we supposed we should, and are practically on the desert. We have seen the river only once. Then we proposed to camp at it, but our guides disagreed and we went on, and finally, it being Sunday night, we camped, earlier than usual, about a mile from the river at _El Hefera_. _Monday, Dec. 26._--The men are getting worn out and begin to lag. It was 8:15 A.M. before we could get them started. Proximity to water has a bad effect on camel drivers. It is very hot. We turn out of our road a few steps to see the ruins of an ancient church at a place called Merre. We discover a big crocodile, about 15 feet long, lying on a mud bank. We lunch in the town of _Aboo-Hashein_, in a plantation on the bank of the river under the shelter of a “sakia,” or water-wheel platform. We meet the postman in the afternoon and send home some postals. We come upon some fine cataracts in the river and see half a dozen huge crocodiles. We camp for the night at _El Shereigh_, near the bank, in a truly tropical bit of scenery. Ankle much better.