for the pastors to make the people comprehend their duties in relation to Christ's coming and his kingdom. So far as the second objection prevails (viz., a want of confidence in the American Unitarian Association as the medium of their action), we can only show the churches our list of officers, and ask them, if dissatisfied, to remove and replace them by others in whom they have more confidence. The American Unitarian Association is here, a machine already made, which you can use as you will. If you want it altered, alter it; but use it, at all events, use it. But if the reason why more funds are not contributed is thoughtlessness or ignorance in the churches, we may do something to remove this obstacle by such statements as we here make. We can show the societies what we want to do, and how little we are able to do it. We can show them how little they are doing, and ask them to do more. We can beg them to be regular and systematic in their do nations. We have some two hundred and fifty societies in our denomination. Of these, perhaps fifty are either in a dying or dead condition, or are unable from other causes to contribute to our funds. This leaves two hundred societies to whom we may look. If each of these societies should contribute regularly to our funds, say, an average of $100,- we should immediately have from this source $20,000. But there are, in every society, individuals who might give $100. Some of our rich city societies contain fifty persons who might give each $1,000. There are single societies which could give, and which ought to give, $50,000 a year for missionary objects; yes, and which, if they live long enough, will give that amount. But, for the present, we may be contented if we can induce two hundred of our societies to agree to give every year some thing, be it more or less, for missionary objects. The average given in 1860, by the societies which then gave, was, it will be seen, $67 each. If this were increased to an average of $75 each, and two hundred societies were to give it regularly, we should have an income, from this source, of $15,000. Now, what could we do with $15,000? 1. We could devote $5,000 per annum to the India Mission. This would enable us to put it on a fine foundation, to maintain the school with two hundred native pupils and a corps of teachers, and to circulate the works of Channing and of like minds throughout all India. 2. We could devote $5,000 more per annum to Home Missions. This would enable us to have a missionary in nearly every State of the Union, and to circulate our tracts and books wherever they are called for. 3. We could increase the circulation of the "Monthly Journal" by advertising, and cause it to go into a multitude of places where it is not known. We could send our books and our pamphlets in all directions, and educate for the ministry such men as ought to be aided. We could aid societies to go forward and maintain worship, and revive the things which are about to perish. Is it not worth while to try to do all this? The following churches contributed nothing, in 1860, to the funds of the American Unitarian Association, either by donation, or subscription to the "Monthly," or any other form: Albany, N.Y. North Andover. Austinburg. Bloomington, Ill. First Church, Boston. North Easton. Groton Junction. Haverhill. Hillsborough, Ill. East Lexington. Lockport, Ill. Lynn. Madison, Wis. New Salem. Third Society in New York. Northumberland. Norton. Peoria, Ill. Raynham. Richmond, N.H. Rochester, N.Y. Saco. East Church in Salem. South Scituate. Tyngsborough. Washington, D.C. Williamsburg, N.Y. Wilton, N.H. Winchendon. Windsor. Woburn. Yonkers. In the year extending from Jan. 1, 1860, to Jan. 1, 1861, these societies, amounting to one hundred and nine in number, contributed nothing to the funds of the Association. It should be said, it is true, that some of the churches in this list are only nominally in existence; having suspended their services and meetings. Some of them may have given largely during the year to missionary objects, virtually the same as those of the Association. Some others may have given liberally to the Association in 1859 or in 1861. Thus the society in San Francisco is put down in this list as giving nothing in 1860; but in May, 1861, it sent $500 to the Association. Alton, Cincinnati, Manchester, Meadville, Nashua, N.H., Saco, and perhaps others, contributed in 1859 to the Association. Some of these societies may, therefore, have had reasons for not giving during this particular period. Nevertheless, it remains a very discouraging fact, that, out of two hundred and fifty societies, one hundred and nine should have given nothing during a whole year. Again: of the societies which contributed to the Association, in 1860, the following gave sums less than $25: Ashby Lancaster, N.H. $11.61 Barnstable 16.00 Leicester 10.00 Fifty-five churches, therefore, contributed each less than $25. The total amount of these contributions was $660.40. The average for each society was $12. The following churches contributed, in 1860, $25 and upwards, but less than $50: Second Church, Baltimore 27.00 Brighton Canton Cohasset 26.00 Petersham Concord, N.H. 27.48 Roxbury (First) 43.00 Dedham. West Dedham. Easton Eastport. Grafton Hingham (First) 27.00 West Roxbury 25.00 Salem (First). 30.00 Barton Square, Salem Somerville. 29.00 Twenty-eight societies, therefore, contributed during the year more than $25, but less than $50. The total amount of all their contributions was $978.12. The average for each society was $35. The following churches contributed, in 1860, $50 and upwards, but less than $100:— contributed more than $50, and less than $100. The total amount of their contributions was $2,018.04. The average amount for each society was $61. The following churches contributed, in 1860, more than $100, but less than $500: |