THE SABBATH-SCHOOLS AND FOREIGN MISSIONS.
THE first session of the General Sabbath-school Association after its organization was held in Battle Creek, Mich, October 11, 1878—just eleven years ago. At that time 177 schools had reported, and given as the total membership, 5,851; total amount of contributions, $25. Thus the foundation of our present organization was laid, and from that time forward the work rapidly developed. Year by year new plans and methods were introduced, more thorough organization was effected, and more attention given to the plan of keeping records and reporting. In 1886 the work had extended to foreign countries. An association was organized in England in 1885, and another in Switzerland in 1886, so that in order more perfectly to represent the character and work of the association, the name was changed from General to International Sabbath-school Association. As the membership increased, the officers of the International Association felt the need of some means for more direct communication with the workers, and of some plan by which special instruction could be given to officers and teachers. Accordingly, in January, 1885, the first number of the Sabbath-school Worker, a 16-page quarterly, was issued. This journal was devoted wholly to the interests of the Sabbath-school work, and is still being published in its original form. The plan of taking up class contributions on the Sabbath was introduced at the very beginning of the work, but up to within the last few years this money had all been used to meet the running expenses of the schools. In 1886 the president of the International Association made an appeal to our schools in behalf of the foreign missions, suggesting that a portion of the class contributions for that year be donated to foreign mission work. Just how much was raised for this purpose during the year, we have not been able to ascertain. However, the plan seemed to meet with general favor, and at the next annual meeting, when the General Conference wished to send workers to South Africa to open a mission in that field, the officers of the International Association made another appeal to our schools to take upon themselves the responsibility of supporting that mission for one year. It was estimated that not less than $10,000 would be required to do this. Our schools everywhere responded heartily to this appeal, and as the result, $10,615.72 above the running expenses of the schools was raised and donated to the African Mission during the year 1887. We understand that this mission is now on a paying basis, and that some of this money still remains in the treasury. The following year, 1888, $10,755.30 was raised in the same way for the London City Mission. Thus it can be seen that this was a move in the right direction, and we trust that the plan will still be kept up. If rightly used, it will tend to awaken the true missionary spirit in the minds of the children. From year to year the Sabbath-school interest has been working its way to the front, and receiving more attention from our people. Conventions and normal institutes have been held in different States from time to time, and have done much to awaken an interest and raise the standard higher. We are glad to know that some earnest workers are beginning to feel that they are called of God to devote their lives to this special work; and may the Lord of the harvest raise up many more who feel a burden in this direction. There are great possibilities within our reach as Sabbath-school workers. We have not yet begun to realize the amount of good that may be accomplished in this line. Shall we not at this meeting try to get a broader view of the work, and gain a deeper experience in the things of God, so that when we go to our homes and fields of labor we may be able to do more and better service for the Master? From an address by the president of the International S. S. Association, at the recent General Conference.