It was two o’clock when I reached home, and I had only time for a lunch and a short resting spell before starting to make another call, which proved to be full of pleasantness and encouragement. My friend and I were piloted on this trip by a dark-eyed, but fair-skinned girl, who was a pupil of our school. We rode as far as the street car would carry us, and then walked through country paths and fields until we reached her home. It was a luxury to rest in the easy rocking-chair in the pleasant little parlor, while fresh country breezes rustled the simple white curtains at the windows. And when, in addition to the pleasant words of greeting, clear water was brought us from the well, and large, sweet berries from the garden, we felt that our welcome was complete. After visiting for a little time, we were asked by the children if we didn’t want to see the farm, and following them out found that the farm, though not large, was carefully cultivated, and that the peas, beans, potatoes, cabbages and other vegetables which grew there, found a ready market in the great city. I have heard and seen much of the thriftlessness of the South, but here at least was thrift and prosperity. Coming back to the house we were introduced to the father, a dark-browed but fine-looking man, who by honest toil is trying to support his family, and give to his children the opportunities which shall make of them good men and women. These children are sent to the Sunday-school and day-school regularly. Can we doubt that from these they shall gain that which shall make them a blessing to their race and to the world? Against the dark background of thriftlessness and ignorance and poverty which we find among the colored people, such homes as these stand out in bright relief, and they should be a source of encouragement to all who are trying to do God’s work in the world. And so, dear friends, I have told you of these homes, that seeing the difference and what may be accomplished in all these homes by Christian education, you may not grow weary, but may look forward to that harvest-time when the seed which your prayers and gifts have sown shall spring up and bear fruit even an hundredfold. * * * * * BUREAU OF WOMAN’S WORK. * * * * * ANNUAL REPORT. BY MISS D. E. EMERSON, SECRETARY.