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this paper recommends. Such a vivid setting forth of the vastness and the hitherto unknown and undreamed-of resources of this imperial realm; such surprising testimony as to the salubrity of the climate; such forcible statements as to the teeming populations of the various districts, and of the cruelties and debasing, bloody superstitions which everywhere prevail among them; such proofs, nevertheless, of the vigor and sturdiness, and even nobleness of some of these heathen tribes; these facts, as they are here presented, combine to make an appeal to which it seems impossible that all Christian hearts should not make instant and enthusiastic response. Indeed, before such recitals, emphasizing so powerfully the urgent demands and peculiar opportunities of so many African fields for the introduction of the gospel, it is a very hardship that we should be limited to a single opening.

Your Committee feel that there is a special providence in the bringing before this Board at this time the new enterprise which this paper proposes.

"1. First, the fact that the commerce of the world has its eyes on Africa, and is already fitting out its expeditions for traffic, is most significant. All experience goes to show that when the Gospel has to follow trade, it has to face a double foe: not only the devils of paganism, which are bad enough, but the worse devils of an unprincipled and corrupt civilization. It is a matter of history, that the foremost obstacles which Christianity had to meet in China, in India, in the Sandwich Islands, were the deceit, the knavery, the unscrupulous selfishness, the vices, which the commerce of Christian lands planted in its path. It will be an incalculable gain to have the start from the outset; that if the gospel can get the ear of these native African princes before the trader does, who cares for nothing but greed, others, like that noble, half-Christian Mtesa, may want translations of the Scriptures for State purposes, and may even join hands, as he is like to, with our missionaries in ridding their lands of the vices of heathenism. And such opportunities we cannot certainly afford to lose.

2. Then, again, the evangelization of Africa has peculiar claims upon American Christians. Whatever the horrors of the slave trade as it exists to-day among these African tribes, some part of the responsibility lies unquestionably at our doors. The supplies for cotton-fields, and rice-fields, and sugar-plantations, for generations, torn ruthlessly from their tropic homes, if not under the disguise of a so-called Christianity, at least under the banner of a Christian nation; the memories of the middle passage, with its untold atrocities and abominations, lay upon us a debt of obligation which we ought never to forget. We can make no reparation, it is true, for the wrongs and shames of the slavetrade. But one thing we can do. For as many years as American ships tracked the seas with curses and blood, in the interest of American slavery, we can keep them re-tracking it with Bibles, and missionaries, and prayers, and songs of jubilee, in the interest of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the evangelization of Africa.

3. Then there is, besides, as the paper itself incidentally shows, the promise of a peculiar success in the work proposed. Should the field, which the paper names, be finally chosen, it will be easily and cheaply accessible; characteristically healthful; so situated as to other missions as to secure their hearty coöperation, while at the same time it greatly strengthens the hands of those therein engaged. Furthermore, by reason of the peculiar compactness and permanency of the people and their relation to other tribes of the interior, or among the chief carriers of the inter-continental trade, it will serve as a grand strategic point, and tend to insure the rapid and wide diffusion of the gospel into the regions beyond. Then, best of all, this proposal sounds a very bugle call for that perpetual advance in our Christian enterprises to which the last command of Christ so emphatically looks - a command that as to giving, praying, toiling, lets no church, no disciple, rest while there is one unevangelized nation or one unsaved soul.

The Committee, therefore, recommend that the paper be approved, and that the Prudential Committee continue the inquiries already set on foot, with the understood purpose of establishing the mission proposed at the earliest practicable day.

REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEES ON THE SEVERAL PORTIONS OF THE ANNUAL REPORT.

[It has been found necessary, on account of the number and length of the papers in this issue of the Herald, to omit much from the reports of the several committees on the missions which were presented at the Annual Meeting. The report of the Committee on the Home Department, necessarily deferred, will appear in the December Herald.]

The Committee on the Zulu Mission reported:

Notwithstanding the disturbed and very unfavorable political condition of the country, fourteen new members have been added to four different churches, and the general missionary work has been well sustained through the year. One native minister has been ordained, who is to be sustained by the Zulu Home Missionary Society. His abilities, his soundness in the faith, and his previous successful labors, furnish ground for expecting his future usefulness. Much attention has been given to the importance of organizing, as soon as possible, a mission in Central Africa in connection with British missionary societies. The Zulu Mission, it is believed, will furnish a much better base line for aggressive operations in the interior than some other points from which efforts have been made. One large interior tribe is said to speak the Zulu language, and the Christian literature already prepared in this language will be ready for immediate use. Further inquiries will be instituted and no effort omitted which may promise successful coöperative effort with other missionary societies in evangelizing the "dark continent."

The Committee on the European Turkey Mission:

Your Committee are deeply impressed with the great importance of this field, and not less with the wisdom, fidelity, and efficiency of its missionaries. It is not a trifling accident or Providence, whichever we may call it, that the three out-stations of this mission are one in eastern Roumelia, one in Macedonia, and one in Bulgaria, with its form of government the most liberal on the continent, Switzerland excepted, reaching thus the widest possible scope of influence.

The hour is auspicious. Substantially emancipated from Moslem domination, this people are in peculiar readiness to receive molding influence from the gospel of civil and religious freedom. Our Board, by its missionaries and the helpers they have raised up, has already blessed multitudes in this land; multitudes more are waiting for the light.

Your Committee earnestly second the Committee's assurance that "the time has evidently come for the most vigorous effort in this region, and that its future depends in the providence of God largely upon the agencies now employed for its renovation." This field, in which the seed has been sown, must not be neglected. Attention must not be diverted from it, even for the sake of the unexampled work in Japan, or the mission about to be inaugurated in Africa.

We earnestly recommend the reënforcements asked. We urge that an additional woman be sent to share the touring work, as well as the teaching, of those in charge of the Female Academy. Above all we urge that a missionary physician be sent at the earliest possible date to the help of the earnest Christian workers in this field.

The Committee on the Western Turkey Mission reported:

That considering the disastrous political condition of the country, they find the statements in the Secretary's Report most encouraging. Although taxation has been most oppressive, commerce, industry, and trade almost destroyed, yet the native brethren have proved that their deep poverty has abounded unto the riches of their liberality. Their contributions during this year of poverty and distress have exceeded those of the previous year by $2,000. The Sabbath-schools have been increased by nearly eight hundred, and the church members added are double the number of any former year.

The Committee are pleased to see that the higher education is attracting the special attention of the Prudential Committee. The educatory forces over all this wide field are now numerous and active, but sadly materialistic. In throwing off the past, this new generation is in danger of sacrificing much that is good. The American Board can work free

from all political suspicions and responsibilities in conducting this higher education which shall give shape to the public sentiment and to the new institutions which are destined to replace the old.

The Committee on the Central and Eastern Turkey Missions:

The reports on these two missions are of deep and unusual interest. The recovery from the devastation of the recent war is matter of profound gratitude. It is not the first time the banner of the cross has been unfurled close in the rear of the ensigns of war, and the Gospel of the Prince of Peace gained an impulse from the cruelties and casualties of human strife. The wrath of man, here, as elsewhere, has been made to praise our King. There have been no very marked events during the year, but a steady and delightful ripening of seeds long since sown.

The continued progress in Christian manhood and church work; the evidences everywhere seen of a deeper and truer piety; the increase, both in the membership and graces of all these beloved churches, and that too under deep discouragement and trials, their advance in the line of church polity and government, are such as to gladden and rejoice every Christian heart.

The Committee on the Mahratta Mission:

The annual report presents to us a body of twenty-three native churches, of which fourteen have pastors, with a corps of missionaries, preachers not pastors, teachers, and Bible readers associated in the peculiar organization known as a "mission." All these forms of Christian labor are reported as having been prospered during the year. The number of additions to the churches on profession of faith was larger than for many former years. In this respect the Mahratta mission seems to have shared in a moderate degree in the remarkable revival which has, to a greater or less extent, pervaded nearly all India. The great famine, so distressing in view of the sufferings it caused to the people, has been made the means of bringing many to receive the bread of life. We are glad to read the assurances that special care is being taken, while ministering food to the starving, to dis courage the idea that this is to be regarded by them as a reward or an inducement for accepting Christianity. We are glad, also, to learn that progress is being made in bringing up the churches to a condition of self-support.

The Committee on the Madura and Ceylon Missions:

We find abundant reason for gratitude to God for his great favor to these missions during the past year.

The Madura mission is within that region of India which has shared in such wonderful measure in the great religious revolution in which it is estimated that from 60,000 to 80,000 idolaters have renounced, all at once, their vain idolatry, and have turned their thought toward a faith which can support the soul in time of trial as in time of prosperity; a revolution marvelous among the marvels of missions.

The Ceylon mission, which has so long shared in the sympathies of our churches, and to which so much patient labor and so many noble lives have been given, still calls for the believing prayers of the people of God. Not in vain has all this preparatory sacrifice been offered on this field. Now, it needs only and waits only for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, so signally manifest on the contiguous continent, without which all human effort lingers insufficient and barren, but with which glad news of harvest shall be borne to us "from Ceylon's isle."

The closing word of that memorable conference in India is a word for us as well, at this crisis and culmination of our opportunity: "Our work cannot fail, and the Master is with us."

The Committee on the Foochow and North China Missions:

The report upon the Foochow and North China missions is indeed a message of "good news from a far country," and the first thought of every heart must be that of profound gratitude to Almighty God for the signal displays of his grace and power in that land during the past year. It is interesting to recall the fact that it is now just fifty years since this Board began work in China. The work of a half century is now before us. Though there have been no remarkable developments in the Foochow mission, there has

been much to cheer and strengthen the hearts of the faithful men and women laboring there. They deserve commendation for patient continuance in well-doing.

When we turn our eyes towards the mission in the north of China, results are see which, in their present magnitude and prospective influence, surpass the farthest read. of the imagination. In this extraordinary awakening and revolution in thought, the hand of the living God is most impressively visible. It has not been by might nor by power, but by God's spirit, that the work has been wrought.

Your Committee wish to commend the wisdom, sagacity, insight, and courage of the missionaries, as shown in their grasp of the religious movement which followed the famine and their promptness and ability in turning it to so good account; the fact needs especia emphasis that the Chinese mind in that region is peculiarly susceptible and open to the truth. It is good economy to sow seed where the soil is ready and fostering influences are at hand. Whatever may be the urgency of demand in other fields, your Committee feel that the claim of Northern China is just now paramount, preeminent, — quite beyond and above the claims which, in the ordinary providence of God, are presented to you. Especially is there a demand for Christian physicians. Your Committee venture to express most earnestly the hope that this most unique and remarkable providential opening may be at once met by a response in money and men, at least somewhat commensurate with its exceptional character, magnitude, and immediateness of demand, and possibly critical and, if lost, irrevocable conditions.

The Committee on the Japan Mission: —

The Committee will only say that-in view of the facts that, during the year, a new station has been established, four or five new churches organized, and over one hundred additions made to their membership, and the establishment and flourishing condition of the schools, there is every encouragement to believe that great results may be looked for in a very short time. The great readiness of the people to receive the truth, and their great desire for the knowledge and the improvements of the Western Nations, make it easy to go forward in the work as fast as men and means can be furnished. The mission seems to be doing all that it can with its present means.

The Committee on the Micronesian Mission:

The committee have been particularly interested in the following things which came out in the report, viz. :

1. The extent to which a native agency has been organized and employed in carrying on the work. 2. The use which continues to be made of the "Morning Star," alike in the supervision of stations already existing, and in the making of investigations preparatory to the occupation of other islands. 3. The efforts put forth by the missionaries in the direc tion of preparing a Christian literature for the people. 4. The success which has attended the labors of the agents among the young, and in the schools. 5. The singularly large proportion of additions to the membership of the churches during the year. 6. The readiness of the people to support their teachers, the liberality which some of them have shown in the erection of churches and parsonages, and the large contributions by the church in Pingelap to the American Board, are worthy of all praise, and may well be a stimulus and | example to Christians at home. 7. The eagerness of the missionaries to take possession of new fields, and the willingness of the people to receive and provide for them are peculiarly gratifying, and your Committee hope that the brethren will be encouraged to go forward and obey the calls which God in his providence seems to have given them.

The Committee on the Dakota Mission:

The Committee have read the report on the Dakota mission with great interest and pleasure. Accessions to the churches organized, and openings for new ones, prayer-meetings well sustained, Bible-classes and preaching services attended by larger numbers, church buildings erected by the hands of Indians, contributions for the support of pastors, and regular collections for the native home missionary work; all are indications of spiritual progress and proofs that God is blessing the labors of our faithful and experienced

missionaries in this field.

There is hope for the Dakota Indians. The influences at work will at least be felt, we trust, in the halls of Congress, and wise, just, and honest measures will be adopted that

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will secure to Indians their property and permanent homes where they now are; their rights as men under the protection of law and amenable to law; education and training that shall fit them for the privileges and duties of citizenship. But our chief hope is in the teachings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the renovating power of his Spirit. We therefore gladly hail the statement of the Prudential Committee that "the mission is thoroughly alive to the importance of improving the present opportunity in behalf of the Indians," and we earnestly indorse the conclusion that the time has come for the enlargement of the Dakota mission.

The Committee on the Missions to Mexico and Spain:

These missions hold their own, and even make progress against the most systematic and fanatical opposition, by dint of the heroism of the missionary laborers, and the power of the truth to arrest the conscience and to move the hearts of men. Your Committee recognize the importance of sustaining these missions, and insisting upon the right to sustain them, and doubt not that through prayer and toil, and courageous testimony, the fields can be successfully rescued from the power of darkness and filled with the light of life. Although the advance made from year to year, in the present circumstances, is necessarily limited, yet many indications promise a better day, a day of grander movements, for the cause of truth and of religious liberty in these lands which error and despotism have blighted so long.

LETTERS FROM THE MISSIONS.

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"Our expected chance to go to the Mortlocks has not yet come, and we do not know that there will be an opportunity before the Morning Star' arrives. We put the whole matter into the Lord's hands, and do not suffer ourselves to be anxious about it.

"I find the Mortlock couple who are with us good helpers, and am pushing on my work of translation as fast as I

can.

The Old Testament part of the Bible Stories I have completed, and am now revising as fast as Mrs. Logan is able to copy. I am also pushing on with the New Testament Stories, which I am trying to make as full and perfect as I can. I am hoping to translate the Book of Mark before the "Morning Star" arrives. To our human apprehension it would seem very important that we be able to spend a few months on the field that I might correct the work and make it better than I can do here, but we cannot make the chance to 43

VOL. LXXV.

go, and it does not seem wise to keep those hundreds of scholars, so anxious to learn, without books for another whole year.

"The traders are opening up Ruk. Mr. Capelle, of Jaluij, is now there putting up buildings, etc., with the design of making that a head station for his firm. It seems important that we should be established there before opposing influences have obtained a strong foothold. The Ruk people are as yet very little contaminated with foreign influences. Mr. Kubay, the naturalist, who has resided there a year, estimates the population at from 10,000 to

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