"If any part of the country is to be put first, the South should be, and helped most. Hence the inclosed, half of it from myself and the other half from the Congregational church here. Your work and that of your compeers is above criticism. All there is of you is put in with a skill and completeness which are not surpassed; and your plans are as large as the field and as complete as its needs. No one could get more out of the money or put it where it would do more good. You and yours are as unmingled beneficence as rum shops are unmitigated maleficence. Were it in my power, I would build a new school-house in the South every year. My heart never thinks of you and your work without blessing you in it; and I have written the above as a sort of relief." (We hardly feel ourselves worthy of such generous praise, but we do very heartily thank our brother for his warm indorsement.--ED.) "Inclosed find a small sum to help elevate and Christianize the colored freedmen. Grains of sand make the mountains, and drops of water the ocean, and the invisible workmen rear the coral islands; so may God's people one and all _do what they can_, and your debt will be wiped out." "At our meeting last evening, I read your appeal and took up a collection of $6, which I send you. It is a little Home Missionary church of only 10 members, but they are good ones, and in earnest. Hope all other churches will do as well and your society be saved from debt." "Got your final appeal before last Sunday, but were so happy to think we had not waited for it, having taken our collection and subscription two weeks before. But owing to the general poverty among my people, we had to give time, and the sum is only now made up. I may say that this little amount at this time represents more real _giving_ than any collection I ever secured. May a blessing go with it." "I feel myself, like Paul, a debtor to all men, especially the classes you represent. Accept, then, my single mite, in the spirit in which I desire to send it, and may the Lord free you from the threatening debt by leading your constituency to feel their indebtedness to these classes and to Himself." "I inclose $10, and wish I might increase it a hundred-fold. I had already given all that I intended, but could not resist the urgent appeal for the needy." "The notices of your financial need came and touched a responsive chord in my heart. A week ago I gave a preparatory notice that a collection would be taken yesterday in your behalf. The people responded quite liberally. Inclosed find draft for the amount. You have my earnest prayer for the success of your effort to raise what you lack. May God bless you in your work and labor of love." (It was indeed a generous contribution, yet nearly one-third of it came out of the pastor.--ED.) "I had thought I had done all I could afford in these times, but coincident with your appeal came the inclosed, for which I had another place; but here, take it. The Lord will provide."