Endow the Empty Chair. In almost every home there is an empty chair at the domestic board; a dear child, one or more, older or younger, has been called away by an early death. Although there are precious hopes of their blest estate, earthly plans have been cut short. The inheritance that would have been theirs if living, passes to others. If they had already begun to make themselves useful in the Master's service, their work is at an end. All that remains is that some undying influence shall be transmitted for the benefit of those for whom Christ died. In many cases, the dying son or daughter, feeling this, has requested that some portion of what would have been his or her inheritance, might be set apart for some benevolent object. In this way influence is perpeiuated. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them." What is done by them or what is bequeathed by them, renders a continued service to Him who has said, "Inasmuch as ye have done this unto the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me." As a To raise a memorial thus to departed loved ones, is commendable in many ways. memorial it keeps alive in the hearts of survivors the precious memory of the departed and continually renews the love which ought to be undying. It is also a matter of simple justice, as it devotes a part of the family inheritance to perpetuating the loved one's Christian influence, instead of spending it as is often done in needless additions to the portions of others. There are exceptions, of The entire inheritance may be very small, and the death of the beloved one may have left a widowed mother or other needy relative without support, in which case the But in multitudes of first duty is to them. cases large amounts thus pass to others who have no need. Even where only moderate means are involved there will be a peculiar satisfaction in keeping alive the influence of the beloved dead. It is sad that they so often seem to drop out of mind. Instead of realiz course. ing that they still live and are still in sympathy with the Redeemer's kingdom, even loving friends and kindred practically forget them, or think of them as only of the past, while the possessions of those who survive are replenished by their loss. We say then-perpetuate their memory. Realize that they still live and may be separated from us only by a thin veil. Even if they died very young, remember that they are not extinct nor dormant, but are more fully developed than if they had remained upon the earth, and that they are awaiting with a glad welcome those whom they have left behind. If it were common thus to perpetuate the memory and the influence of the departed, it would not only keep alive the hopes and realizations of the heavenly life, but would greatly increase the contributions which are made to all forms of Christian and benevolent work. Even those who could set apart but a small sum would find in it spiritual profit and the purest satisfaction. The writer of this brief paper-it is rather a suggestion than an appeal-has been moved thereto by the great comfort and satisfaction found in pursuing the course that is here commended.* *We are not at liberty to give the writer's name. For more than a generation he has been intimately connected with Foreign Missions. The memorial of which he speaks is to perpetuate the influence of a loved child in the form of a Training School for native Christian workers. Thomas Marshall, D.D. Just as we go to press word comes from Olney, Indian Territory, of the death of the Rev. Thos. Marshall, D.D., of Chicago, for thirteen years Field Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions. Further notice will be given in the February number. Letter to Missionaries. NEW YORK, Nov. 24th, 1903. Dear Brethren and Sisters:-The large Evangelistic Committee appointed by the General Assembly to promote new measures of prayer and effort for the immediate conversion of souls in our home land, have expressed a desire that the officers of the Board of Foreign Missions shall co-operate with them in an effort to reach the foreign field, and enlist our missionaries in all lands to unite with them in prayer and effort to this end. About a year ago we sent to the missions salutations and suggestions of a similar import. May we not believe that the large accessions larger than ever before-which have been reported, are in answer to the prayers in which the laborers at the front and Christians at home united at that time? I have been asked by my colleagues to address a letter to every mission station, bespeaking your lively interest and earnest co-operation in this work. The Assembly's Committee have recommended-"A simultaneous evangelistic movement, beginning with a Watch Night service, the last night of the old year, and continuing through the months of January, February and March." We trust that this communication, and we hope also one direct from the Committee, will reach all but perhaps one or two of our missions within the month, or near the beginning of January. Remote stations cannot be reached so soon, but may be in time to take a large part in this effort. It is expected that during the three months named this great object will form the subject of daily special prayer by each individual missionary, and that such special services as may be found feasible and wise will be held for prayer. It would seem to us desirable to enlist the native Christians, also, specially preachers, helpers and teachers, in this world-wide prayer concert, praying directly for the speedy conversion of all those who have received more or less instruction but have not yet decided for Christ. We understand this movement to include and emphasize personal work with individuals, thus making all forms of missionary work essentially evangelistic. We have long felt that individual effort, pursued in season and out of season, whether in our station work or in the school, the hospital or the orphanage, constitutes the most important part of the work. It is said that of the graduates. from the Tungchow College in China all were Christians when they left the institution. This we believe to have been the result of the faithful and persistent personal influence of Dr. Mateer and Dr. Hayes, and to the prayerful, winning and faithful personal effort of Mrs. Mateer, whom the students regarded as a mother. *** If I may be permitted to speak of myself as an individual, I would say that as the result of more than thirty years of observation and experience I have become increasingly impressed with the belief that in whatever dcpartment of Christian labor, soul winning, soul by soul, is the chief work of the Christian disciple. The Master explained this whole matter perfectly when He said, in the first place, that the fruit bearing of the branch must depend on its vital connection with the rooted vine; that no man, depending upon his own wisdom or worthiness, could hope to accomplish anything in this sacred stewardship. But in the second place, He taught that the degree of fruitfulness is a consideration with the Master of the vineyard-"Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples." Much of our mission work within three years has consisted in the laying of foundations. Several new mission fields have been entered, schools and church organizations have been formed, hospitals have been established. All these are needful preparations for future Pentecosts, which we hope may soon appear. In some fields the ingathering of souls has already been large; others are beginning to show abundant results. It is the most earnest desire and prayer of my closing years of service that along all the lines and ranks of our harvest work the time for accessions, beyond even our fondest hopes, may now come with its cheering witness of the triumphs of the truth. Yours with sincere interest and affection, F. F. ELLINWOOD. Forward Movement Notes. (All communications relating to the Forward Movement should be addressed to David McConaughy, Forward Movement Secretary, 156 5th Ave., New York City.) "One League Onward," the report of the "first year's work of the Forward Movemen“, can now be obtained from the Pamphlet Department; also a concise statement, entitled "The Forward Movement; Whence, What, Whither, Therefore." In contrast with this is another report, to the effect that a church which formerly supported a missionary, has, since the arrival of a new pastor repudiated this obligation, in order to "fresco the building." It is not improbable that before they get through on this line, that the church will be frescoed with debt. A During November the Forward Movement Secretary visited several cities in the northwest. At Duluth, the First Church undertook the entire support of a parish abroad to the amount of upwards of $1,200. Immanuel Church, in Milwaukee, followed suit the following week to much the same amount. business man in Milwaukee assumed the entire support of a personal "substitute" on the field abroad. In St. Paul, the Dayton Avenue Church, following the example set by the House of Hope, in the same city, is takin steps to have its own share in the work in "the uttermost parts." For such results as these, there is cause for praise; and at the same time there is need of prayer for campaigns to be conducted this month: (1) in Pittsburg, January 2-12; and (2) New Castle (Del.) Presbytery, January 15-30. Wanted "A Missionaryite"! Robert Louis Stevenson, writing to his mother, with special reference to his dear friend, "Tamatave," James Chalmers, of New Guinea, once said: "I have become a terrible missionaryite, very much interested in their work, errors and merits; perhaps it's in the blood." The great need now is for "a missionaryite" in every church, an intelligent, enthusiastic, tactful, persistent specialist, who -in season and out of season-will press the paramount obligation of the Church to obey the Great Commission of her Divine Head. He who does this duty wisely and well, will move the lever which will set in motion the whole train of the Church's activities with steadily increasing momentum and power. Assuming that there is such a man in the pulpit, there is needed in every church, also, a missionaryite" in the pew. It is for that man that the Forward Movement is seeking. And the wise pastor will assist in the search. The day that Barnabas discovered Paul, he did the greatest part of his own life-work. THE AIM of the Forward Movement is: 46 (1) To get the Presbyterian Church to set to work in earnest to give the Gospel within this generation "to every creature" in the portion of the world which this Church has undertaken to evangelize. (2) To get each church to undertake a definite and adequate share in this vast enterprise. (3) To get every member, individually, to enter into an intelligent, prayerful, practical partnership with Christ in carrying out the Great Commission-either to go himself or to help in sending a substitute. THE PLAN is: (1) To present a Specific Object on the field -either a missionary pastor or a station, wholly or in part; classes of work-Evangelistic, Educational, Medical or Miscellaneous, being assigned in shares of $50 and upward. (2) To adopt the Scriptural Method of maintaining the object, according to the Rule of Three for Giving, in 1 Cor. xvi. 2, viz.: "Let every one of you (individually) As God has prospered him (proportion- (3) To sustain an intelligent and prayerful interest, by a patient and persistent Campaign of Education, maintaining a "living link" by regular correspondence and personal contact, as opportunity offers, between the Church at home and the parish abroad; also by means of a live Monthly Missionary Concert, literature, Mission Study Classes, etc. (4) To commit the direction of this work to a Forward Movement Committee or Representative, appointed by the Session-selecting only those whose hearts are in this, the King's business, and who mean business. With a view to putting such a program into practical effect in a church, it is advisable to plan for A FORWARD MOVEMENT RALLY. The cooperation of the Forward Movement Committee of the Board can be counted upon, so far as circumstances will permit. With a view to this, correspondence is invited. If 19 Movement proposals may be freely discussed with prayer, and plans considered for bringing the church in line with its larger mission to the world. This Conference should on no account be omitted. (2) A Reception may be arranged with a view to bringing the congregation generally in touch with the Representative of the Forward Movement, in case such assistance can be secured. In the event of a visit from the Forward Movement Secretary, he is prepared to supply lantern views and a lecture on Wonderland of the East-India" (where he spent more than a dozen years as National Secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association), or on some other section of the great The PRESBYTERY GROUP, WEST AFRICAN MISSION. not possible for the Secretary or some member of the Committee to respond in person, literature will be supplied and the benefit of experience given. The following suggestions may be of service in arranging for such a Rally. (1) A Conference of the Session, to which may be invited also the other officers and leading men of the church. This meeting should be an informal "Council of War," held preferably in a private parlor, at which the Forward world-field; in which case arrangements must be made locally for the lantern. Admission should be free to all members of the congre gation. When such a Reception is arranged for, it should be followed by a brief Conference for the Men, generally, in case they have not been included in the Conference of the Session. (3) At the Sunday Morning Service the Forward Movement proposals should be fully and forcibly presented to the people, giving the |