THE FINANCES.—The expense of this work for the past year has been as follows: For salaries, $8,697.20; for rent of mission houses, $2,409; for incidental expenses, including fuel, lights, traveling expenses of Superintendent and helpers, fitting up and furnishing new mission houses, printing Annual Reports, etc., etc., $791.85. Total, $11,898.05. The resources have been: Appropriation by parent society, $7,000; Receipts to treasury and auxiliary, viz.: From its own auxiliary local missions, $735.05; from churches, $1,003.60; from donations by individuals and firms, $2,613, and from Eastern friends, $512. Total, $4,863. Total resources, $11,863. It should be added that this statement is necessarily made before the account of the auxiliary (the California Chinese Mission) is closed, and that we have hope of some further contributions, sufficient to set the balance on the right side. The amount raised by the auxiliary last year was $3,582.30. The increase has been nearly 37 per cent. The most gratifying elements in this increase are in the offerings of the churches and of our Chinese brethren. The latter cannot now be stated exactly, but it is very considerable. The former is from $532.85 in ’81-’82 to $1,003.60 in ’82-’83; and the number of churches contributing has doubled rising from 15 to 30. * * * * * BUREAU OF WOMAN’S WORK. MISS D. E. EMERSON, SECRETARY. * * * * * As was indicated in the August MISSIONARY, ladies from the different benevolent societies for home work are holding a series of meetings in Michigan. The Bureau of Woman’s Work is represented by Miss Anna M. Cahill, who has been connected for several years with Fisk University. * * * * * HELP AT PUBLIC MEETINGS. The Bureau of Woman’s Work is prepared to present the claims of this Association in its line before missionary meetings, conferences, Sabbath-schools, monthly concerts and other religious gatherings, either through its Secretary or some one who has had large experience on the Southern field. Application should be made to Miss D. E. Emerson, 56 Reade street, New York. * * * * * CONTRIBUTION FROM A LADY MISSIONARY. We do enjoy our work, and it was never more encouraging than now, and yet sometimes it grows almost unbearable, to be so utterly alone. The dear Lord sent a bit of a thought to cheer me to-day, and I sat down and wrote it out, thinking it might comfort other lonely workers in these dark corners. THE LORD’S GARDEN. (LOVINGLY INSCRIBED TO THE A. M. A. WORKERS IN THE SOUTH.) A few days’ work In His garden, The dear Lord gave me to do; And I went to my task so gladly, I thought ’twould be something new— Some dainty task ’mong the flowers, That would show my skill and taste. Alas! I sat down in sorrow, To weep at the woeful waste.