For an analysis of the figures, we refer our readers to the report of the Executive Committee on the finances of the year, published in another part of this number. It was a grand rally our friends made to save us. We fear that some of them sacrificed more than they ought in contributing so generously as they did. We pray that God may abundantly reward them. We thank them, one and all, with a heartiness greater than we can express. We would not sit in judgment upon the churches and professed friends who have contributed nothing to our treasury during the year. We know that some of them were not financially able. But we cannot believe that this was true of a majority of them. The Congregational Year Book of 1885 reports 4,092 Congregational churches in the United States. We received during the year contributions from 1,677. What can be done to bring the non-contributing churches into line is a question we beg the pastors of contributing churches and the friends of the Association to help us answer. The pastors and members of these non-contributing churches as a general thing do not read our magazine. They are ignorant of our needs, and we do not know how to reach them so as to wake them up. Had we an army of agents to visit and talk to them, we might move them to take our work upon their thought and sympathy. Our appeals by circular, by newspaper, resolutions of State conferences and of the National Council, all fail to move them. They still continue not to hear and not to do. There is only one way that we can think of by which they can be reached, and that is for the local conferences to take the matter in hand, and select a committee of "a persistent ONE," who by letter, and, if need be, by personal visitation, will bring the delinquents up to meet the obligations of fellowship and denominational honor. But as seen over against this long list of _do-nothings_ what a grand army the 1,677 contributing churches appear! Theirs has been the work and theirs is the glory of "_a well done_" both from God and man. They form a base of supplies from which the army at the front can be recruited and sustained, and which can be counted on for support till the victory is won. We enter upon the new year with fresh confidence and renewed strength. No such word as "_fail_" finds place in our vocabulary so long as we have such friends behind us and God above and around us. The work will not be permitted to suffer. We shall throw off the debt. The faithful 1,677 will be reinforced. Our friends will be multiplied, and the work carried triumphantly forward. * * * * * WHAT OUR FRIENDS THINK AND SAY. EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS RECEIVED BY THE TREASURER DURING THE PAST FEW WEEKS.