In this respect your figures are a model for church accounts anywhere." Mr.Furlong continued his scrutiny of the accounts.

"Excellent," he murmured, "and on the whole an annual surplus, I see, of several thousands.

But stop a bit," he continued, checking himself; "what's this?
Are you aware, Edward, that you are losing money on your Foreign Missions Account ?" "I feared as much," said Edward.
"It's incontestable.

Look at the figures for yourself: missionary's salary so much, clothes and books to converts so much, voluntary and other offerings of converts so much why, you're losing on it, Edward!" exclaimed Mr.Furlong, and he shook his head dubiously at the accounts before him.
"I thought," protested his son, "that in view of the character of the work itself--" "Quite so," answered his father, "quite so.

I fully admit the force of that.