Our Work: Report of M. I. Missionary Work

marriage, and had been recently married herself. She kissed "Massa Edwin's" hand, shook hands cordially with Mr. Hutton, and let herself be placed in the most comfortable rocking-chair. Then she began to talk familiarly about her own affairs and Mr. Booth's. She could not afford to go to the theatre "no mo'," she said, but she wanted her husband to see "Massa Edwin play." Could she have a pass for two that night? He wrote the pass at once, and put it into her hand. She read it, and returned it with a shake of her head. "They was only niggers," she said. "The do'keeper wouldn't let no niggers into the orchestra seats; a pass to the gallery was good enough for them." A second paper she received silently, but with another and more decided shake of her head. Glancing over her shoulder, Mr. Hutton read, "Pass my friend Betty Blank and party to my box this evening. Edwin Booth." And Betty occupied the box.

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An excellent story is told of Lord Russell of Killowen, Lord Chief Justice of England. When a 'young man. Lord Russell was extremely fond of the stage, and frequently spent his evenings at one or other of the theatres. One evening he was forced to stand, there being no vacant seats in the pit. Just as the curtain was raised, an old gentleman who was standing in the passage shouted out, "My watch has been stolen, and one of these four men has it ! " —pointing to a small group, among whom Russell was standing, close to the corner of the stage. Of course there was a tremendous hubbub, every one in the pit standing up to have a look at the daring gang. A policeman was soon on the spot, and the whole four were led out to be examined. It immediately occurred to young Russell that the real thief, on the alarm being raised, might have slipped the watch into his—Russell's—pocket. Sure enough, on placing his hand upon his tail-coat pocket, he could feel the outline and hard surface of the watch quite distinctly. Visions of a career blasted on its threshold by a sordid charge of pocket-picking rose before him. Just as he was about to place his hand in his pocket Jand take out the "watch," in the hope that his explanation might be believed, a couple of detectives came in. They immediately seized one of the men, and, going up to Russell and his two fellow-suspects, said, "It's all right, gentlemen, you can go. We've got our man here; he's one of the best-known pickpockets in London." The "bulgy" thing in the future Lord Chief Justice's pocket was—his snuff-box!

OUR WORK. FINISH THE COURSE OF STUDY. Before the next issue of the Era the season's Mutual Improvement work for 1898-9 will have nearly drawn to a close. In our agricultural communities members of the associations will be called away to the pursuits of the agriculturist and stock raiser, and the association meetings will have adjourned. It is therefore opportune at this time to call attention to the approaching close of the season's work and urge earnest effort to complete the Manual course for this year, that the way may be prepared for taking up a new course when the active work of the associations shall be again resumed. It is to be hoped that this winter's course of studies has resulted in the members of our associations making themselves pretty thoroughly acquainted with the New Testament outside of the four Gospels; that is, with the Acts of the Apostles and the various Epistles which, with the biographies of Christ, called the Gospels, make up the New Testament. That indeed was the chief object of the Manual course this year, and it is to be hoped that the efforts of this winter have not failed in their chief object. This year's course of study coupled with last ought, therefore, to make our young men fairly well acquainted with that very important volume of scripture, the New Testament. It has not yet been decided by the General Board what subject will be taken up in the next Manual, but when the importance and desirability of instructing our young men in the things pertaining to the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times is taken into account, in all probability the next Manual will treat directly some phase of that dispensation; and we shall in all probability begin the study of those great events and those great principles which are immediately connected with the dispensation in which we are called upon to work. We urge again,