By no means would the Association seek to interfere with donations to individuals where the donors investigate for themselves and assume the responsibility, but it is not fair that we should be held as apparently responsible for movements that we disown, and it is not fair to our constituents that we should allow them to remain under the impression that in giving to irresponsible projects, they are favoring such as are endorsed by us. Thirty-five years ago the Congregational Union was initiated in the Albany Convention on purpose to protect Eastern friends from the miscellaneous and irresponsible and persistent solicitation for individual church enterprise. It is the business of that Society to receive, inspect and decide upon all such applications. Take it away and the flood gates would be lifted again. No less in the cause of missionary education is such discretionary service needed. * * * * * THE NEGRO QUESTION. This is the title of a recent brochure by George W. Cable, published by the American Missionary Association. With the most vigorous and courageous devotion to the question that "is the gravest in American affairs," Mr. Cable addresses himself to the problem and to the answer that should be made to it. His apprehension of injustice is so keen and true, {155} and his seriousness, in view of the weariness and offence that the whole subject gives to a great majority of the people, is so urgent, that the paper has been criticized as pessimistic, and as an impatient cry against evils that are speedily being rectified. We may say that the optimistic view of evils never did much to correct them, and that those who are patient with wrongs will never create a sentiment against them. To us, this seems the voice of a prophet pleading for righteousness to man and righteousness in the land. * * * * * OUR WHOLE COUNTRY. Among the recent issues of the press, none has been more effective and deservedly popular than the pamphlet entitled, "OUR COUNTRY," written by our esteemed friend, Rev. Josiah Strong, D.D. It has aroused public attention in a remarkable degree, and has opened the way for a career of most promising usefulness to the author. Our only regret in reading these stirring pages, has arisen from the fact, that in its survey it leaves almost entirely out of account nearly one third part of our country, namely, the South, a part, too, that contains as many elements of future trouble to the nation, and elements, too, that if properly dealt with, can minister as largely to the nation's future prosperity, as any other portion. Our object in penning this item is to suggest that some man of equal diligence in collecting facts, and of equal skill in handling them, shall write a book entitled, "Our _Whole_ Country," that shall omit no part of it. * * * * * A SAMPLE OF SOUTHERN CHURCH WORK.