I suggested that we meet again the first Saturday in April, but they said: “That will be a long time to wait; can’t we have another meeting in two weeks?” Consent was given. Then another said: “Can’t we sometimes bring our girls with us?” Consent was given that on the first Saturday in April they might bring their daughters. I took with me from Tillotson Institute two of the “Young Daughters of the King,” to help in singing, and in this way do something for Jesus. The one who played the organ is the daughter of a minister, who is now pastor of a Congregational Church in Texas, and who was educated in the A. M. A. schools. So true it is that the circle of influence is ever widening. I find that I have nearly filled my paper, and must leave other things until another time. We have recently had a cheering visit from Rev. Dr. Beard, Secretary of the American Missionary Association, and the one who has the special charge of the Southern work. Texas is so far away from the centre of things, that we are not often thus favored; so that such visits are the more highly prized when they do come. M. J. A. * * * * * We have had a great spiritual blessing. Only three of my thirty-three Sunday-school boys are not Christians. Sometimes the responsibility almost overpowers me. They have so little help at home, but find so much to hinder and discourage. One bright, smart boy of fifteen has within a few months come into my class, and has accepted Jesus as his Saviour. For nine years he has been smoking, following the example of his father and older brother. Since his conversion he feels he cannot follow this habit, and he is making brave efforts to overcome it. Young as he is, the habit has a very strong hold upon him, and he finds it hard work. But God is helping him, and I know he will succeed. He comes to me each night to report his progress, and for a week has met me every night with a glad smile and the words: “God has helped me, and I haven’t smoked to-day.” One day he got so far as to light the cigarette a boy had forced upon him, but he remembered the verse he had just learned—I Corinthians x, 13—and he threw the cigarette away. There are many equally interesting cases, where help and encouragement are so much needed. * * * * * ONE OF OUR SCHOLARS.—He is in the Third Reader class, and is learning the simplest questions in arithmetic. This is his first year in school, and instead of being a little boy, as you might suppose, he is thirty-five years old, and a “Baptist preacher.” When he first came, he said: “I ain’t got no learning; what I knows, I just picked up myself.” One of the boys said: “I advised him to come, so that he can learn to explain, and when he gets up to preach, folks won’t sniggle in their sleeves.” * * * * * FOR THE CHILDREN. * * * * *