religious papers, etc., and make a New Year's donation to the people to
whom such things would be a god-send and good as new.

The suggestion was favored, and the animated countenances and talk that
followed betokened an after-meeting of unusual interest, and certainly
the most practical if not the best part of our conference. Something to
do, then and there, had been suggested; tongues were somehow set loose;
each one seemed to have a new-born interest, each held common stock in
the enterprise. Dr. Roy was consulted by the pastor as to a proper and
responsible party. Meanwhile the goods began to come in, often sent by
the boys or girls, who thus began to do missionary service, The pastor's
wife and daughter did the packing. Picture cards were pasted in cloth
folios for the little ones; old hats were trimmed; coats and vests went
in, shawls, Bibles, toys, etc., till a barrel, a large sugar barrel,
take notice, was crammed.

After awhile there came the address of a colored graduate of Tougaloo
University, living at or near Chattanooga, whose name was marked on one
end of the barrel, and the freight sent forward. After some delay, the
letter of acknowledgment came, saying, "The barrel came safe. The things
are just what so many of the people need, and they will go to those most
in need. Accept our thanks."

This letter will be read at our next concert, which should be a
thanksgiving occasion for the opportunity of doing something for the
destitute, and for the discovery of a way to make a monthly concert
interesting.

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