is depressing; and the absence of any spiritual atmosphere or stimulus from without is wearing and exhausting. I think there is much truth in the idea that the evils of life are

due to the direct agency of Satan. It would follow from this that those who have devoted themselves to the interests of Christ's kingdom, are sure to receive especial attention from his arch enemy. So he takes the life of some of the most devoted, sends sickness to the most active, brings home the best beloved, and upon the heads of those he cannot force away he pours an avalanche of trials, perplexing mental and moral problems, weariness, sleeplessness, disappointment, and grieving that Christ is “wounded in the house of his friends.”

Sometimes the avalanche is red-hot, and sometimes it is icy cold; but in the midst of it all the Saviour stands whispering in the ear of each one, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end.” “When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fires thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flames kindle upon thee.” To every one who is pressing on to follow where he leads, in many an unexpected moment he reveals himself, and the missionary in her isolation will in visions often catch a sight of his wondrous face, or in her own chamber hear the stately steppings of the King.

In this contest with sin and Satan which the Church has undertaken in allegiance to the Son, though difficulties be enormous, defeats frequent, and many fall in the midst of the fray, ultimate success is assured, for “the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Therefore, while it has seemed well at this time to spy out the enemy's camp, and the people that dwell therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many, we do not return as did some of old, saying, “There are giants in the land,” but rather, exulting in Emmanuel our King, we should shout with all our might, “Let us go up at once and possess the land, for we are well able to overcome it.”

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ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BERKSHIRE BRANCH.

We regret that the following account of the Berkshire Branch meeting did not reach us for earlier insertion in our magazine, but we trust our readers will be none the less interested in the doings of this wide-awake Branch.

THE eighth annual meeting of the Berkshire Branch was held at the First Church, Pittsfield, June 18, 1885.

The day was perfect, and the meeting largely attended and enthusiastic. Devotional exercises opened the morning session, and Mrs. Giddings, the president, announced as the text for the day, “According to your faith be it unto you.” Then came the reports of the officers. The recording secretary chronicled the last meeting held at Housatonic, in October, 1884. The home secretary reported two new auxiliaries and a new mission circle formed since the last meeting. She felt there was great reason for encouragement in the work, but urged the need of special work among the children. The treasurer has received two thousand six hundred and fiftyeight dollars and thirty-two cents ($2,658.32) during the year, besides a sum more than sufficient for branch expenses. The pledged work has been done, and there is a surplus for the general treasury. The foreign secretary gave a report of the work abroad, containing much valuable information carefully gleaned. In summing up, she spoke earnestly of the grand openings for work and the great want of more workers —a pressing need now that the force is unusually small. Reports of the auxiliaries and mission circles were next presented, and were for the most part cheering. Mrs. Giddings then read an inspiring paper, dwelling on the great and earnest work to be done, the need of the active service of each member of the “Branch,” and the inspiration of the work. Is there not demand for our efforts when there are 800,000,000 who have never heard God's name? Such “facts are the fingers of Providence.” Our president emphasized her conviction that the hope of the Branch is in the mission circles, whence are to come the Fidelia Fiskes and Harriet Nerwells of the future. The social hour at lunch was a pleasant feature of the occasion. The afternoon session opened with singing, scripture-reading by two young ladies, and prayer. The following officers were then chosen for the year:— President, Mrs. E. J. Giddings, of Heusatonic; Recording Secretary, Mrs. S. A. Warriner, of Hinsdale; Corresponding Secretary, Miss E. Morley, of Pittsfield; Home Secretary, Mrs. W. Plunkett, of Adams; Assistant Secretary, Miss M. E. Gibbs, of Lee; Treasurer, Mrs. Solomon Russel, of Pittsfield; Auditor, Mr. John Power, of Pittsfield. Mrs. Howland, of Ceylon, then addressed the meeting. She gave us many interesting and thrilling details of her work in Jaffna, talked much of her joy in the work, touched lightly on its shadows, spoke of “sanctified common sense” as an essential to a missionary's success, and closed with a strong appeal for more helpers. Miss Child, of Boston, brought kindly greetings from the parent society, and congratulations on the work done by the “Berkshire Branch.” The singing of the Doxology closed the meeting — one of the largest and best ever held by the “Branch.” M. E. G.

Miss P. L. CULL of Manisa and Miss C. H. Pratt of Mardin, Turkey, arrived in this country August 28th, for a period of rest.

Miss MARY L. DANIELs for Harpoot, Miss Ellen S. Blakely for Marash, and Miss Ella T. Bray for Adana, Turkey, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Allen for Harpoot, sailed from New York in the Servia, October 3d, for their various fields of labor.

Miss REBEccA. G. JILLsoN, who left New York July 30th, is now in Bardesag, where she will spend some time in the study of the language. Miss M. P. Root, M.D., who left America at the same time, has been detained in England, for want of steamer accommodations, but was to sail for Madras September 9th.

Receipts from August 18 to September 18, 1885.
Miss EMMA CARRUTH, TREASURER.
$30; Hanover, Aux., $15, Soc'y