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June 23, 1909. TH PRESENT NEEDS. As Seen by a Texas Elder. Your correspondent, perhaps, is not as well known in the religious, as the secular world; because his talents have been more given to contributions along material affairs. But, for the past tifteen or twenty yeura, first as a deacon and then clerk of the session of the McKinney Presbyterian church, continuously for mors than ten years, he has been pretty well known to the ministers of Dallas Pres bytery, and thinks he ought to he able to speak or write advisedly of the Church's needs. I sincerely believe that the lay members are lax in duty in nut expressing their ideas in the sessions and through contributions in ?ur religious paper or papers, which might add strength to the cause of Christ. It is not always the case that the ablest and greatest theologians are the most successful preachers in the winning of souls for Christ. Hence, after prayerful consideration of the matter and sensible of the danger of being misunderstood and even consid-* ered by some as a matter not within the jurisdiction of the laity of the church, and with no feeling of presumption, i desire to present my views in the premises. First, I would state that Texas is made up of a cosmopolitan people, and to preach to such, with so many different. views of life, there must be a greater allowance made in the purpose to cement or bring together in holy communion a united desire to work for Christ. In conference once with a successful minister as a delegate to Presbytery, I was sensibly impressed with his ideas in the matter. He said, at the outset of his charge with the same difficulties, as I had told him existed in our church, that he fouud the best course to pursue was to preach more of the love and mercy of God, and later a short doctrinal sermon concisely told, until the preached word had taken deep root into the hearts of his hearers. His style of preaching was persuasive rather than pointed along doctrinal lines, and presented in a spirit of humility, asking God to strengthen the message through the Holy Spirits' power. An Elder. AN APPEAL FOR THE ORPHANS. The stringency of money matters, caused by the recent panic, followed by the extended and protracted drought all over Texas, has borne down heavily on the poor of the land, especially orphan?, and caused many of these latter to apply for admission into the various Homes. The Southwestern Presbyterian Homo and School for Orphans, located at Files, Hill county, Texas, has had its share of these, and has admitted. in the la3t few months about thirty of these fatherless, helpless and needy little ones. This Home receives "all orpuans who are needy. Irrespective of the religions belief of parents or guardians," and the most of those recently received have fpont fan>IUoo nf /I? *rww?> ?* Wilt 1HUUUVB VI VU1VI ucuuimua* tions, therefore we feel that we may ap peal to all good people to assist in its support. There are still other children applying for admission who are worthy, and should be received. We are ready to take them if assured of a support for them from the charitable public. The ? ' :E PRESBYTERIAN OF THE SOU' recent addition to our family, which now numbers seventy-two children and eight ofhcet3, entails an additional expense of about $250 a month above what we have heretofore needed, and been receiving. Will the friends of the orphans furnish it? We nave taken these children, believing that God's people and a charitable and liberal public would furnish us the means for their support, if advised of their need. Was our confidence in the^ liberality of the people, and purity of the religion (Jas. 1: 27) of God's people justified? We believe 30. But we could not deny these little ones askiug lis for bread and a home. If we had done so, what would have become of them? And what would the Master have said of us? See Matt. 25: 41-45. Remember, the summer months, when most orphanages su<Ter for want of funds to buy food and clothes, are upon us. Dullness of business and absence from home of many who would help, cause receipts to fall short, and orphanages to go In debt for food for the little ones. Shall this be the case with us this summer? It has never yet occurred, but with our larger charge and (expense, it w(ill this summer, unless friends come at once to our help. If you would prevent it, sit right down now and send your check for such an amount as you are able and your heart dictates. Many churches. Sabbath schools, ladles' societies, and some individual?, are supporting individual orphans by sending us six dollars a month, the amount required for board and clothes or an orphan; but many others, just as able, are doing nothing. How is It with you, your church, Sabbath school or society? Would you not like to share, in this great work? If so, send on your offering at once, if possible. We need it. Think of these little ones suffering while you are enjoying your good things. Read 1 Jno. 3: 17, 18.?These orphans are in need, will you not help them? Send all offerings to R. W. Coffin, Treasurer; or the undersigned, at Itasca, Texas. Jas. D. McLean, President of the Home. Itasca, Texas. WOMEN'S MISSIONARY UNION. North Mississippi. On the thirteenth of May a Women's Missionary Union was organized at Canada, in the Presbytery of North Mississippi. height churches were represented and the work of organization was conducted by Mrs. A. T. Grayibill, of the Foreign Mission office, Nashville, Tenn. The work is to include both home and foreign missions, and those present feel greatly encouraged to hope for a successful union. Let all the societies come into the union at once; and the churches that have no societies are urged to organize. If they need help our Presbyterial visitor Is ready to aid, free of expense to them. Also the secretary oi Young People's Work is anxious to organizo the boys and girls into active workers. God needs the boys and girls; they are the men and women of tomorrow.- He needs us all. Let us hasten the coming of his Kingdom. The Union will hold its first annual meeting at Senatobia. April, 1910. rH. 17 WOMEN'S MISSIONARY UNION. Cherokee Presbytery." The second annual meeting of the Women's Missionary Union of CherokeePresbytery was held in the First. Presbyterian Church. Dalton, Ga., June 2-3, 1909. There were present six officers, and twenty-eight delegates, representing seventeen different societies and thirteen churches. Reports were very encouraging, an<t showed that several new societies had been organized during the past year. The Union was exceedingly fortuuatein having with them Rev. Homer McMillan, of the Home Mission Committee, Atlanta, Ga.; Dr. W. H. Venable, medical missionary to Kashing, China, and Dr. J. O. Reavls, of the Foreign Mission Committee, Nashville, Tenn., each one or whom gave interesting and inspiring addresses along their respective lines or work. A special feature of the meeting was the presentation of a map of tho Union, by Mrs. F. K. Sims, which showed very vividly the vastness of the work to bn done. As a specific work, the Union decided to undertake the support of a Presbyte" rial visitor, or deaconness, within the bounds of the Presbytery, and a fund was at once started sufficient to justify the beginning of the work. It was arranged for Miss Louise Milam, of theEuharlee church, to be this worker. The next meeting is to be held at Roswell, the third Wednesday in June,. 101 A All came away with hearts full of gratitude for the success of the meeting anil! grateful memories of the cordial hospi tallty 6f the Dalton people. Rec. Sec. WOMEN'S MISSIONARY UNION. Savannah Presbytery. The second annual meeting of thd Women's Missionary Union of the Savannah Presbytery was held April 10, 11 and 12. at the First Presbylerian church. Valdosta, (la. The people of this church gave the delegates a very hearty and cordial welcome. Thirteen delegate? were present. Encouraging reports from the local societies were received. Three new societies were enrolled, making a total of fifteen. The program was very interesting ami' every effort was made to make the meeting profitable. Several splendid paper? were read by members of the Union. it was a great privilege to have withus Rev. G. W. Painter. D. D., of Hongchow, China, and Miss Mattie S. Tait, or Chunju, Korea, each giving very interesting accounts of their work in the3ecountries. The office of field secretary was-, created. Miss Van Geason, of Savannah,. Ga? was elected to fill the same. In discussing "Definite Objects for Which Our Union Can Work" the Women's Debt Fund was brought up as tho most Important work to be considered. Upon motion it was carried that wejoin with all tfie other Georgia unions: in an overture to the Georgia Synod in regard to forming a Synodicnl Union. Wa ' - - .?? v.o.1 uui !)?y wuai mis meeting has meant In the way of Inspiration an<? spiritual help. Eunice Lester, Cor.' 8ec. Statesboro, Ga.