The ladies of Illinois have adopted the same plan of aid to the A. M. A. as the ladies of Maine, and have appointed as a State Committee Mrs. E. F. Williams, of Chicago; Mrs. H. L. Boltwood, of Ottawa, and Mrs. Charles Perry, of Geneva. Already the conferences have been districted to the State Committee, and the sub-collectors appointed. They will continue the support of a missionary at Mobile, Ala., and have adopted also Miss Rose M. Kinney to represent them at Little Rock, Ark. * * * * * One of the ladies appointed at the Illinois Meeting has written an encouraging letter which indicates the heartiness with which the work is entered upon in that State. She says: “Last month we heard the sound of the new departure from Maine. When we are sure it is the Master calling, the sound flies quickly, and we are thankful it has so soon reached Illinois. We already, from the new consecration it arouses in us, are buckling on the armor. I assure you that from the ladies of this State will come no uncertain sound. We must do the work.” * * * * * [That our friends may know the spirit that pervades our missionary teachers, enabling them to rise above the discouragements and trials of the field in the joy of Christian service, we give a few gleanings from recent correspondence not written for publication.—D. E. E.] —I never enjoyed my work so much as during the past year, although it was never so hard before. —The year’s work has been such a pleasant one that I am reluctant to bring it to a close, although I feel the need of the coming rest. —I hope my return another year may be favorably considered by you, as I must see _my boys_ through. I have but just begun the work. I like it and feel that another year I could accomplish much more than I have this. —My health has failed and it is thought to be a risk for me to remain through the year. It is a great disappointment to me, I believe the greatest I ever had, for I love the work and so strongly hoped I should be able to continue. But God knows best. Perhaps in years to come He may grant me such measure of strength as will enable me again to enter this field. —Our scholars have done good, faithful work for some time past and the results will show, I am sure. I _do_ enjoy the work thoroughly. Of course there are times of discouragement, days when we wonder if some one else could not do more or better for those who are under our instruction, when it seems as if it were spending our strength for naught; but I suppose every person knows what it is to feel so, and I certainly am glad to do what I can while I can.