table, as they stood around it to read, and even they wore two swords. The swords are so put on, under their flowing Japanese dress, that they appear to pass through the body of the wearer. The dress of the priests is much the same except for their shaven heads.

The picture of the pilgrims represents the poor people who go to Fuji and other mountain summits to worship the same helpless idols that others

worship in temples. Fuji, being 13,000 feet high, and always having snow upon its top, is accessible only in July and August. During these months the pilgrims from the the lowest class ascend Fuji, with vile songs and jests, because, as they say, "they wish to be holy," but they come back even worse than before.

The people of "The Sunrise Kingdom" seem courteous and happy, but under their politeness are hidden dreadful sins and bitter troubles. They have no word for "home," they only speak of their house. Yet parents are kind, and women and girls are better treated than in most heathen lands. A woman is, however, the servant of her husband, and if he dies, her son,

once the baby-boy who laid his cheek against her own, becomes her

master.

Among the letters in the other part of this number of the Herald you will find interesting accounts from Japan. Christians are full of hope for that Empire. Only ten years ago the mission of our Board began there, and now we have thirteen churches. Idolatry is giving way, but there is danger that the people in giving up their old gods will think there is no God. Let us pray much for our dear missionaries in Japan.

"Accounted For."

The effort made to report every name upon the subscription list of the MISSIONARY HERALD (paid and free) as "accounted for" to close of the current year, has been measurably successful. It will be fully so, —

1. If every unpaid subscriber will remit at once, and

2. If every person entitled to a copy free, but whose name is not so marked for the current year on the cover or wrapper, will write at once, the simple line,

Please continue."

"I am entitled to the MISSIONARY HERALD free. This one simple line will tell all that is needed, · living; that his residence is unchanged; that he is Herald; that he wishes to receive it.

that the person is now

still entitled to the

PERSONS ENTITLED, UPON ANNUAL APPLICATION. Ministers whose churches contribute to the American Board; Honorary Members; donors of not less than ten dollars annually; collectors of not less than fifteen dollars; and treasurers of churches contributing not less than twenty dollars. IMPORTANT CONDITION. It is inferred, from expressions in letters received, that many regard the condition of an annual request on the part of those who are to have the Herald free, as an arbitrary and modern provision. The following, from the original minutes when it was first voted to make the monthly free to Honorary Members, will be of interest :

"Hitherto the Missionary Herald has not been sent without charge to members of the Board, as such. Hoping, however, that it may prove a means of increasing interest in, and effort for the cause of missions, the Prudential Committee voted that it be thus sent in future, for one year, to such Honorary Members as shall make application for it. The limitations -'for one year, to such members as make application' are designed to prevent mistakes and waste. Deaths, changes of residence, and the wishes of members cannot be known at the Missionary House except as information is given. When the work is desired continuously as a gratuity, it will be only needful that the application, like a subscription, be renewed from year to year, with a distinct mention of post-office address.", ANNUAL CONTRIBUTORS. Many who contribute ten dollars or more annually think it strange that their names are not marked free, without an annual request. A letter from such a contributor suggests that if the books of the Board do not show that he is entitled free, there had best be a change in the persons in charge of the books. The fact in the case is that a careful search of the books and correspondence of the Board gives no occasion to suppose that this contributor's name was ever known before at the Missionary rooms. An annual collection is received from the Congregational Church in his town, but without any individual names. And this is the general fact: most contributions come from churches, without individual names, and of the individual names received, many object to being placed upon the free list, without their written consent and request. Were the names of all contributors of ten dollars or more known, and were they placed upon the free list of the Herald, it would work more confusion in one year than could be corrected in ten.

HONORARY MEMBERS. - Many suppose that the Board knows the present address of Honorary Members, and that the manager of the Herald has the means of knowing who of the thousands of subscribers are on the honorary list and who are not. But the fact is entirely otherwise. It is true that there are alphabetical lists of new members printed from time to time, no residence being given except the State. No record is kept of deaths, nor of the constant change of residence, nor of the change of name on the part of ladies by marriage. There is no record, and by the very nature of the case, there can be none that is of the least possible value or service in the publishing office of the Herald. If we know the name of the State in which a person was made an Honorary Member, we can find his name by searching the records of over half a century. But then, what assurance that he may not have removed several times? and may have been dead a score or more years? Or if now known to be living, and residence known, both residence and life are uncertain for the future. The following extracts from letters illustrate the difficulty, and show the necessity for an annual request :who was an Honorary Member, has been dead ten years.

"Mr.

"Mr.

died August, 1862. He was an Honorary Member, and

entitled to the Missionary Herald.”

STOP AT CLOSE OF YEAR UNLESS RENEWED. - This seems an easy solution of all the difficulties, and with most publications it would be, but this subscription list is peculiar: it is made up of pastors who are entitled free but whose residence is subject to many changes; Honorary Members, some preferring to pay, some preferring to be free, and the two classes constantly changing from one list to the other; donors, with the same double and changeable relations; collectors, and treasurers who hold office for various periods; and others with no claim except the annual payment of $1.10. Now, were all names, not heard from, for the following year, early in December, the time of issuing the January number, dropped from the list, it would involve the annual labor and expense of re-writing a small library of subscription books and resetting the same in type, besides the danger of offending thousands of liberal donors whose names and wishes may be well known at their own homes, but are not known at this office.

THE PERFECT WAY. Many who have read the foregoing, will suggest that all the difficulties will be met as follows: "Let all who desire the Herald for the coming year communicate in December, by sending the $1.10 or by request for free copy, and let all others be discontinued." That meets the case fully. But the careful reader will have noticed that this is just what has been sought to be realized for these many years past. Had the result been attained, the readers of the Herald would have been spared, — gladly on their part, and more gladly and thankfully on the part of the writer, the so frequent allusion to the subject. All who are interested, will be glad to know that decided and marked progress has been made, and it is hoped that all, as they come to understand the case, will kindly aid as so many have already done.

The matter is explained thus fully here and now, in the hope that all present names may be accounted for at once, and that the coming year, and all the future, may be free from the aforesaid embarrassments.

The heavy files of letters at the publishing office bear unmistakable testimony to the warm place the Herald and its work hold in many hearts and homes.

CHEAP EDITION.

The Rise of the Dutch Republic.

A History. By JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY, LL. D., D. C. L.
With a Portrait of William of Orange. Three volumes, 8vo.
Vellum cloth with paper labels, uncut edges and gilt tops, $6.00.
Sold only in sets.

History of the

of the United Netherlands:

From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Years' Truce. With a full View of the English-Dutch Struggle against Spain, and of the Origin and Destruction of the Spanish Armada. By JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY, LL. D., D. C. L. With Portraits. Four volumes, 8vo. Vellum cloth with paper labels, uncut edges and gilt tops, $8.00. Sold only in sets.

Life and Death of John of Barneveld, Advocate of Holland. With a View of the Primary Causes and Movements of the "Thirty Years' War." By JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY, LL. D., D. C. L. Illustrated. Two volumes, 8vo. Vellum cloth with paper labels, uncut edges and gilt tops, $4.00. Sold only in sets.

6

"This edition of Motley's Complete Historical Works' affords an opportunity to the collector of choice standard works to fill a possible vacancy in his library at a moderate cost. The reader of Motley always returns to the perusal of his writings with a zest which may be compared to the taste of the ripe strawberries in early June. The freshness of his mind never fails to give a flavor to his narrative. His descriptions read less like a recital of the faded past than a vivid picture of living scenes. No historian transports so much of himself into his writings; and though without the faintest trace of egotism, they are always intensely human and individual.”. N. Y. TRIBUNE.

The Original Library Edition, on larger paper, of Mr. Motley's Histories can still be supplied: "The Dutch Republic," 3 vols. ; "The History of the United Netherlands," 4 vols.; "Life and Death of John of Barneveld," 2 vols. Price per volume, in cloth, $3.50; in sheep, $4.00; in half calf or half morocco, $5.75. The volumes of this original edition sold separately.

Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.

Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price.