"I bequeath to my executor (or executors) the sum of ---- dollars, in trust, to pay the same in ---- days after my decease to the person who, when the same is payable, shall act as Treasurer of the 'American Missionary Association,' of New York City, to be applied, under the direction of the Executive Committee of the Association, to its charitable uses and purposes." The Will should be attested by three witnesses. * * * * * {117} THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY. * * * * * Vol. XLII. May, 1888. No. 5. * * * * * American Missionary Association. * * * * * Six months of our fiscal year have come to a close. It may be of interest to our readers to know how our treasury compares with the same period of time last year. During this half-year, there has been an increase in _collections_ of $6,250.73, a decrease in the amount paid in from _estates_ and _legacies_ of $2,880.05, making a balance in the total receipts, of $3,370.68 in advance of those of the preceding year for the corresponding period. This, however, does not mean that we are in advance of our expenditures. All life predicates growth. When there is no growth, the body has begun to die. Those who will read the able paper of Dr. Bradford in this magazine, will doubtless conclude with him, that the imperative demand is for increased life, and for multiplied efforts to save those to whom Providence has manifestly called us. The natural and necessary growth of life has been upon us. While we have cut and trimmed and pinched with an economy that the most careful might think an unwise policy, there has yet been growth. Success necessitates development. Good schools will enlarge. One church creates another. One foothold secured in a missionary region opens districts to many who swell the cry of need to the heart of Christian compassion "_come over and help us_," so that with all our pruning the work has grown beyond the slight increase of funds from our churches. We ought to push our work. Ignorant millions need the truth which we have. They need the knowledge which we have. They need salvation, and if we have it and have the spirit of Christ's compassion, we will see that they are not left in darkness. There is enough and to spare in the hands of the disciples of Christ for this vast and increasingly urgent work. "Why," says George W. Cable, "if you knew the national value of this work, to say nothing of its gospel value, you would quadruplicate it before the year is out," He calls it "the most prolific missionary field that was ever opened to any Christian people," "right here at your doors." {118}