A Good Work

Mrs. J. W. Babbitt, of Ypsilanti, has made lier first annual report to the Michigan Branch of the Wounui' Auxiliarytothe Board of Mission, for the placing of Bibles and Prayer Books iu R. R. Stations, and in it she says: "The placing of the precious Word of God within the reach of waiting passengers at railway stations is a subject tliat has not yet received large attention, because it has not been long or prominently suggested, but in a limited wayit has been tried, and the result has abundantly justified the effort and made a dennuid upon us for a general and persistent work along that line. It is a subject tliat bas profoundly interested me, and I may say without egotism tliat I look upon it with something of the interest and pride with which a inother regards herchild; and with devout ing that it was given to so lmnible an iustruinent to inaugúrate a service with such promise of beueflcent fruits. It was ouly a year and a half ago that a tedious wait at the Ypsilanti station of the Michigan Central suggested che need of some restful and hea'thful occupation of the mind for such chance prisoners as are daily held idle and impatient at the depots every where. The result of that reflection was the placing in October, 1895, of copies of the Bible and prayerbook in the waiting room at that place, an iuovation which won the early commendation of a Grand Truuk official, who said that "Xo other depot in America, so far as I know, is supplied with the Bible and prayer-book. It is a grand idea and I believe it will spread all over the country." The depot officials undertook the care of the books and reported that the inspired Word and Book of Prayer were in daily and ippreciative use. "Surely tlien, what is good at Ypsilanti must be good at other places, and the extensión of the service was naturilly suggested. Kncouraged by the enilorsement of our Bishop Thomas F. Davies, Bishop Joseph H. Johnson and my rector, Wm. Gardam, who themselves contributed to extend the work, a proposition to place the Bible and prayer-book in every depot in Michigan was brought before the Auxiliary at our juarterly meeting in Detroit, January 20, 1890, and niet instant favor. A comuiittee was appointed to confer with the railroad companies and begin the work, and a report to the annual meeting in lune gaye the encouraging announcement that eleven stations, besides Detroit had been supplied. Miss Thayer oí the committee, rnatron of the Young Ira veler 's Aid Society, reported from lier own observation that the books were much used, and related the incident of two young girls who were dismayed to find that they had arrived at the depot an hour too early, one Saturday, until they spied the convenient volumes, when they at once turned tothem and spent the time bappily and profitably in studying their Sunday lesson. The work enlarged through the year 1896 until now 78 waiting rooms in every part of the state are supplied, and thousands of passeugers of every calling and station in life, have been cheered and helped by the inspired word which bas come to their hands at times so unexpected as to seem to them providential. The testimony of Mrs. Bennett, matron at the Michigan Central depot, Detroit, is that the books are always in request and read with satisfaction. Mrs. A. Quay, County Superintendent of the W. 0. ï. U., at Cheboygan, says, "I un pleased to find the word of God in the waiting room," and a Mrs. A. L. Steel, of Steel Home for needy children, at Chattanooga, Tenn., wrote depot matron at Detroit, "It was a great delight and source of comfort to me to find a copy of the Bible and Ilymn bopk at the depot. I bless the friends who so thoughtfully provided for the souls of weary travelers." The testimony of atravelingman says, "I am often led to wonder how far down in the generations the effect of this work may be feit by the avidity with which tired travelers seize upon the Word while waiting for trains." "We understand well that there is no end, in time or in eternity, to the influence of any impression we may produce, and the reflection cannot but stimulate our zeal in a work like this ; which has occupied a virgin field and rendered a service to the Master that was else unperformed. In doing it, too, we have enlisted co-workers, for our interest bas interested other organizations and sous outside of tlie Anxiliary who are extending and carrying forward the same work ontheir owu account. My pec;xi-'s tvife, Mvg. Gardam, en - giested tascribing1 oai tlhe iry-l&af of tttie Prayer.book a q nota t Jou f rom lii.-ihap Coxe's cöQTienltion sermón at Mlnoeapolte, "TJie Bitl is a ïield of wavlag graia, buiti tUe Boak of Ooanmon Prayer is a laaf of bread for every man.." How I ho"pe eome ome of tilie eistens wtl help me fiad a quotlatioa equally appropriafcj for ih hyamial. I ask tllie prayers and asi-isfanee af all for I have deelded io mate tlhia my iite work. "No eudeavoi is ia valn ; its reward is In tihe diaing."