The outlook is not bright. The receipts for March from both donations and
estates have fallen off so that in spite of retrenchments the total
indebtedness is somewhat increased. We have now reached the close of the
first six months of the fiscal year, and, with a decrease of $11,246.73 in
all items of expenditure, the debt is $79,696.61. In the last (April)
number of THE MISSIONARY it was shown that there had been during the
previous three months a small but actual reduction of the debt. The
present showing brings the figures back to what they were substantially in
January last.
We hope this falling off is but temporary. We know the pressure of the
times and the difficulty of obtaining money. We are fully aware, too, that
many of our friends make their contributions with self-denial, but,
standing as we do, with the responsibility for the great work entrusted to
this Association, and knowing how vital it is to the welfare and uplifting
of the impoverished and ignorant races of our land, we feel constrained to
press the call still farther upon both rich and poor for the means to
continue the assistance to these needy peoples.