A good friend of the A.M.A. in Gorham, Me., put into my hands the letter of Edward Payson, in which he accepted the call of the Second Parish Church of Portland, requesting that it be sold and the proceeds go to the A.M.A. work. It is a most interesting historical document, of value to some one collecting historical literature. It was a generous gift, for this kind woman valued it highly. * * * * * The President, S.D. Smith, of the "Smith Organ Company," of Boston is filling our schools with music, gladness and praise. He has sent three organs to as many schools, within a few months, at no cost whatever to the Association, giving these grand instruments and paying freight on them to the field! * * * * * One message that comes from the work in North Carolina is of so much interest that it ought to have a place here. A teacher had been visiting her former field of labor, and she writes of this visit as follows: "One young man, who was but a small lad when I left there, came to shake hands with me and said, 'Do you remember how you talked to me right out there under that tree? I tried at first to get away from you, but you would not let me go till I promised you I would give myself to the Lord. I thought, "Now I must not lie to that woman," and I did what I promised right there, and I have kept serving him ever since.'" Such evidences of souls renewed is worth a life of even such self-sacrifice as this brave woman lives. Like testimony could be gathered of many of these A.M.A. missionaries. * * * * * DEATH OF PROF. A. HATCH. We are called with sadness to chronicle the death of another of our noble Christian workers at the South. Prof. Azel Hatch, the Principal of our Normal School in Lexington, Ky., closed his earthly labors and entered his heavenly rest on the 31st of December, 1888. His illness began with a severe cold, but it was soon discovered that congestion of the brain had set in, and the end rapidly came. Prof. Hatch was born January 16, 1852, was educated at Oberlin College and at the Union Theological Seminary in New York. He entered the service of this Association in 1876, and has occupied honorable positions in the schools at Montgomery, Ala., Tougaloo, Miss., and in Lexington, Ky. In every post of duty, Mr. Hatch has shown himself to be a faithful, conscientious and Christian worker, shrinking from no duty, winning the confidence of the teachers and pupils, and showing adequate results from his efficient labors. Mr. Hatch was reserved in manner, but courteous and affable, and a man of spotless integrity and of entire consecration to the work of the Master. It is a grief to record the death of such faithful men, but it is a consolation to know that their work was done and well done. The Christian life is not measured by its length, but by the discharge of the duties allotted by the Heavenly Father.