has been rented and a new house has brought renewed strength to the missionaries. Persecution has come to some of the disciples. From Morioka comes the following story:

Some time ago four young women accepted Christ and asked to be baptized. They knew that it meant bitter suffering, but... with faces shining . . . they obeyed their Lord. When they reached their homes they were met with volleys of abuse. Two were refused entrance, but.. ... were afterward received, although . . . they have since been guarded

day and night lest they should attend the meetings. Their Bibles and song books were torn to shreds and burned. . . . The other two were discharged by their employer, and one, in addition to this, was whipped by her father. Yet their faith does not

waver.

The reports all indicate that the missionaries in Japan are alive to the strategic importance of that nation. Japan must be won for Jesus Christ. Let us help our brethren in the task.

I

'N the midst of depressing surroundings and with many things to dishearten, our missionaries in Africa have toiled vigorously and faithfully during the year, and are able to report over 1,100 baptisms. These letters are full of enthusiasm and hope. Here are some of their words. Mr. Moon: "Glad for this one year's opportunity in this dark land." Mr. Hall: I am pleased to report progress." Mr. Richards:

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We cannot but thank God for what has been done." Mr. Hill: "We praise God for health, protection and answered prayers." Mr. Frederickson: "The work is full of Mr. promise and the outlook hopeful.” Billington: "We praise God for his great goodness to the little church during our Our eager desire is to be back."

absence.

A THRILLING TALE

One of the forward steps undertaken during the year was the definite location of a new station in Portuguese territory. It will be recalled that last year Dr. Leslie conducted an exploration in search of a site.

His report this year gives an account of another expedition. Who says that missions is an uninteresting subject? Read this report. Some one has said that it is one of the most interesting tales of missionary exploration and adventure to be found. It reads like a novel. One morning the whole caravan is lost in a dense fog. At another time they are suddenly surrounded by armed men barring the way; curious to know the business of such an expedition, they are soon listening to the old gospel story for the first time. Chiefs threaten war against one another in their eagerness to have the station in their territory. A house is erected with floors made of crushed ant-hills. One of these ant-hills also serves as an oven. The journey homeward takes "twelve hard, hungry days." They miss the relief expedition and arrived without provisions or barter. A permanent settlement is to be made soon.

DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY

The political misrule which has resulted in the atrocities of the rubber country, has

not affected our work directly, as our missions do not extend to that district. But other obstacles there have been. One of these is the refusal of the government to allow sales of land to Protestant missions. This has affected the work at Kifwa, where a change in site has for some time been sought on account of the unhealthfulness of the present location. We are glad to be told that a desirable piece of property is to be secured from a Portuguese freeholder. Some stations report opposition from Roman Catholic priests. Mr. Richards tells of an encounter he had with one who had tried by threats and by force to compel the people to become Catholics:

We agreed that all who wished should be allowed to attend the Catholic services and those who wished to worship with us would be permitted to do so. At evening the Catholic gong rang out, but no one went to their service. We rang the bell and the people came flocking to us. We stayed some days and no one patronized the priest, who finally left the village. Of this same obstacle Mr. Hall writes significantly: "Under the persecution of the priests our people are developing strength."

A peculiar obstacle to the work of some of the stations is the dreaded disease known

M Philippine

as sleeping sickness. Mr. Moody writes that fully ten per cent. of the teachers die each year; and Mr. Clark appeals for our united prayer that a remedy may be discovered.

AN ENCOURAGING SIGN

One of the characteristics of work on the

verts.

Congo is the activity of many of the conMr. Frederickson says: "The most encouraging feature of the work is the great interest the young people take in spreading the news of salvation." At Bwemba two native evangelists have had the oversight of the work in the absence of the missionary, and so successfully that many have come from outstations and other villages for instruction in the way of salvation. From Ikoko Mr. Clark writes that the work of evangelizing has been carried on as never before by the members, all being expected to help. He tells of some who have faced the possibility of death at the hands of cannibals, to whom they had gone with the gospel of Jesus.

The Congo workers are few in number and have a gigantic task. We can aid them in prayer.

ISSION work in the Philippine Islands is unique in many respects, the ingatherings in many sections being marvelous, both in numbers and in the early fruition of effort. Over 900 baptisms are reported, 822 of which were at our pioneer station, Jaro. The barrios, or small villages, have proved peculiarly accessible, as Mr. Briggs tells us in his report.

SUCCESSFUL LITERARY WORK

Especial interest attaches to the literary work of Mr. Lund. He reports that during the year he has revised the Panayan New Testament, spending six months in Japan to bring the new edition through the press. Be

sides our own mission, the Presbyterians and the Aglipayans are to use this version. Tracts have been translated into Panayan and Cebuan, a beginning has been made on

the Old Testament in Panayan and plans are under way for a children's illustrated paper published in several dialects, and for translation into a third branch of the Visayan tongue. The Union is fortunate in having so able and energetic a man as Mr. Lund to develop this exceedingly important work.

SCHOOL AND OTHER WORK

The school work in the Philippine Mission is exceptionally interesting. A form of effort not in the government scheme is an industrial school, opened during the year at Jaro with over 100 boys in attendance. Some difficulty was anticipated in inducing the boys to work; but the results have been surprising. The boys are eager to learn trades, such as soap making, shoemaking, engineering, etc.; but farming, carpentry, and tailoring are all that have been offered so far. The boys are learning to work. Mr. Valentine, the principal, formerly of Burma, tells of the first month's instruction:

It was not nice work, nor play work, but anything that came to hand, from driving a plane to cleaning a stable or digging a ditch, and there was no discrimination of persons, each in turn taking his due share.

Some other special lines of work are

a

indicated in the reports of the missionaries. Mr. Briggs tells of the good results accomplished with a tent furnished by friends in America. It was erected in turn on the broad plazas in front of each of the five large Roman Catholic churches in his district, and through this means great numbers heard the gospel. Mr. Forshee reports excellent work by colporteurs, who go two and two on long tours planned by the missionary, each keeping a careful record of the sermons preached, books sold, etc. Not having many paid helpers, Mr. Maxfield has secured volunteer agents in the different towns in his field, often schoolteachers, who distribute literature among the people. At Capiz special attention has been given to building the fine chapel, described last month. Mr. Lund has preached frequently to the upper class Filipinos, and has had the opportunity of meeting Archbishop Aglipay, the head of the native Catholic or Aglipayan movement. Dr. Thomas tells how medical work is break

ing down prejudice and opposition. "The taos," he says, went away murmuring benedictions, with a box of pills in one hand and a sheet of Scripture texts in the other. The gift of pills warms the hearts and gives the texts a chance."

HE work of the Missionary Union in Europe, except in Spain, is conducted by local committees. The reports indicate largely increased opportunities and great ingathering. In France and in Russia freedom for development has been made possible, by the separation of Church and State in the former, and in the latter by the decree of the czar giving religious freedom.

France. The letters of the French leaders give inspiring examples of faith and progress. Mr. Saillens writes of hundreds of conversions in revival meetings. In one Swiss town 400 decisions were recorded in a meeting of 1,000 young people, and the same day 2,500 crowded to hear the gospel, and many decided for Christ. From another church Mr. Cadot reports: The attendance increases constantly; the galleries built last year are no longer large enough on special

occasions; prayer meetings are well attended; there have been conversions.

Germany. In Germany the work centers about the theological seminary at HamMr. Fetzer writes of its twentyburg. fifth anniversary. fifth anniversary. The publication house at Cassel reports the printing and distributing of Bibles, tracts, sermons, religious papers, almanacs for the army and navy, etc. The work of the German Committee includes that in southeastern Europe, Especially encouraging are the reports from Hungary. The government has given official recognition to Baptists as a religious denomination. The law requires a theological education for pastors, and the brethren there are planning to secure men with the acquired efficiency.

Sweden. Dr. Broady mentions the severe loss to the theological seminary in the death of Dr. Drake. A young man from the

University of Upsala has taken his place. An interesting item is the reflex influence which the Baptist churches are exercising on the state church, which is being stirred to new activity. Prayer meetings are held, Sunday schools and young people's societies are being established, and the work in our own churches is being imitated.

Spain. In Spain no Protestant street preaching is allowed nor can a church building be erect ed. Reports come from Mr. Marin and Mr. Anglada, and tell of progress despite

ship. I myself had the privilege of preaching the gospel in this church last September.

The new liberty has helped the work in Finland also, but has brought obstacles as well, in the increased boldness of unbelievers.

Denmark. Baptists are strong in Denmark, with about 4,000 members. Mr. Broholm's report gives an interesting account of revival services at one church with hundreds in attendance. A feature of the

work at other places was the use of the stereopticon. Mr. Broholm tells of a significant revival movement in which Methodists, Baptists and Congregationalists have united a result of the revival in Wales.

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Norway. From this far Northland come reports of the good work in the churches by fishermen preachers. A number of these, when on shore because of storm or other reason, hold services, being very good preachers. In another district a baker does good work. Mr. Ohrn writes that this man ' has traveled winter and summer in an open boat among the islands preaching the Word. Il with consumption, his only sorrow is that he has done so little for his Lord." At Sandsvar, in the south, a farmer carries on the work well. The report is very hopeful. "Better days are ahead. The field is ripe for the harvest and we are praying to God to send us laborers."

N this age of effort for the speedy evangelization of the entire world,

I evangelization of the entire world,

we are likely to forget the full meaning. of the Great Commission.

What is the object of medical mission work? First and last, it should be to carry the gospel of Christ to hearts and homes which cannot otherwise be reached. Christ fulfilled to the letter his commission in not only preaching the gospel, but also relieving bodily suffering. For this twofold work Christ was separated, and as he was, so are we, his servants, to be in the world.

Miss Bose of Barhwal very clearly described the object of this work at Keswick nearly three years ago. She represented it as the kindergarten system of teaching Christianity. It was like the raised type for the blind, like the sign language for the deaf. Love, and a desire to help suffering humanity, is the world's standard in judging true Christianity.

It is a common occurrence for the missionary doctor to be addressed as God, and to be lauded before an interested crowd for some pain relieved or operation performed, or the prospect of life restored to one who had been dangerously ill. How often has the writer had such experiences, affording him rare opportunities of pointing such blind souls to the Great Healer of the world's woes! In times of sickness the people turn much more readily to one whom they have learned to know and love as their friend. How many times I have verified in my own experience the statements made long ago by Mr. Douglas of Cavers: "The character of a physician. has always been highly honored in the East, and would give easy admission to familiar intercourse with all classes arid creeds. He who is a physician is pardoned for being a Christian, religious and national prejudices disappear before him, and all hearts and harems are opened." Is it to be wondered at that a Mohammeda", moulvie,

after his son had been cured in a hospital, said to the missionary: "Formerly when I saw a Christian, I used to wish to cut his throat; now, I know how good many are."

HEALING AND THE GREAT COMMISSION

There are those who say, "Let the governments concerned look after their sick, our duty is to teach and preach the gospel." But has not the success of Christianity obscured to a large extent the fact that the healing of the sick has always been and still is the duty of the Church, laid upon her by the direct command of her Lord? It is a part of his commission. It occupied a large place in his public ministry. In the early days, the Church did take upon itself the duty of giving medical relief. Why then have we so forgotten our responsibility? Simply because our governments have become influenced for good by Christianity, and are undertaking, to some extent, the relief of their sick; and we, instead of assisting them, are placing the whole responsibility upon them, forgetful of our Christian duty. Has it not always been a striking fact in history that, only where the influences of Christianity have been felt, there love and sympathy have been shown for the sick and suffering? Are not all the present government hospitals and dispensaries the outcome of Christianity? Who, then, will say that medical missions are not bearing witness! History gives us many instances of how nations use medical science to advance their interests. Should it not also be used by the Church of Christ? Have we not failed to use this means in seeking to advance the kingdom of the great King of Kings?

It has been proved beyond a doubt that medical missions are of first importance in pioneer work, and that the medical missionary can find a welcome where others cannot go. I shall cite only a few instances.

In North India, the Church Missionary