The educational work of the American Missionary Association in the South
makes no revolutionary disturbance. It quietly opens a path for talent
whose existence had been before unnoticed or denied. It has been already
instrumental in bringing forward many men and women to positions of
influence. Beginning with the lowest branches of education, it trained
the first colored teachers for the State school systems. Its schools
for higher education have as yet come far short of supplying the demand
for advanced teachers and for educated ministers and other educated
professional and business men.

We cannot make talent, but opening the door for talent to find
development and activity adds rich gifts to the Nation's life.

* * * * *


_IRRESPONSIBLE INSTITUTIONS._

_The Independent_, in its Symposium of December 11th upon Gen. Booth's
Plan, has an article from Charles D. Kellogg, Superintendent of the
Charity Organization Society, in which, referring to a certain
irresponsible piece of charity, he says:

We do not believe that it is right for any one to ask for the
support of such an individual enterprise, except from those who
give it because of personal knowledge and confidence in the
manager. When the public is appealed to, such contributions take on
the nature of trust funds, the receipts and disbursements of which
should be audited and accounted for in the fullest and frankest
manner. To encourage such private, uncontrolled and unaccounted for