encourage us.

We are cheered, not only by the benevolences which are reporting
themselves from the churches, but also by the kind words of sympathy
and helpfulness which show us anew that this great and exigent work
upon us was never nearer than now to the hearts of our pastors and
churches.

We may add that the month just past and those immediately before us
are those upon which we must largely depend for our fiscal year. We
are coming to the summer season, when contributions are less likely to
be taken. We trust that those who believe that God has called the
American Missionary Association to this immense work in the name of
Christ, will not cease to pray that the hearts of men may be moved to
heed the appeals of those who, through us, ask for the very bread of
life, and who will not have it unless we carry it to them.

We are now compelled to deny more appeals for help which ought to be
heard than we are granting. Several schools which were begun by
private enterprise with good intent, are now asking us to take them
from their hands upon our own, where they can be perpetuated and
saved. We would like to save these schools to the needy people whose
hope is in them, and to protect the churches from indiscriminate
appeals for works which they have not authorized, and which we could
do with greater economy and better care; but for this we need a
generous increase of gifts. Our faith was in Him who said, "Knock, and
it shall be opened unto you," and the doors were opened. God withdrew
the bolts of hindrance and said, "Beloved, I have set before you an
open door." Our faith is in Him who also said "Ask, and ye shall
receive."