Mr. Fred F. Hall, as normal superintendent in Natal.

The Home Department has also been utilized by the Woman's Boards in securing several young lady teachers who have gone out for a limited term.

New Manual. During the year the Committee have carefully revised the Manual for Missionary Candidates, in a desire to bring it into conformity with certain changed practices which have come about in the 'dealings of the Home Department with applicants for missionary service. We feel now that our method of procedure in this matter is the best that we can devise, and we rejoice in the increasingly helpful, and at the same time effective relations which exist between the Board and these consecrated young people who are offering their services.

Returning Missionaries. The missionaries returning to their respective fields have been as follows:

South Africa: Miss Caroline E. Frost.

West Central Africa: Miss Sarah Stimpson, Mrs. Bertha D. Stover, Rev. and Mrs. Thomas W. Woodside.

European Turkey: Miss Elizabeth C. Clarke.

Western Turkey: Rev. and Mrs. Henry S. Barnum, Miss Adelaide S. Dwight, Miss Charlotte P. Halsey, Miss Mary I. Ward, Miss Emily McCallum, Rev. and Mrs. Ernest C. Partridge.

Central Turkey: Miss Elizabeth S. Webb, Rev. Thomas D. Christie, D.D. Eastern Turkey: Rev. and Mrs. R. S. Stapleton.

Madura: Rev. W. M. Zumbro, Miss Helen Chandler, Rev. and Mrs. John S. Chandler, Rev. and Mrs. John J. Banninga, Rev. and Mrs. F. E. Jeffery, Dr. and Mrs. Frank Van Allen.

Ceylon: Rev. and Mrs. Giles G. Brown.

Foochow: Miss Elsie M. Garretson.

South China: Mrs. Charles A. Nelson.

North China: Mr. and Mrs. James H. McCann, Mrs. W. S. Ament. Japan: Rev. and Mrs. Wallace Taylor, Mrs. Harriet M. Clark, Rev. Morton D. Dunning, Miss A. H. Bradshaw, Rev. and Mrs. J. H. De Forest, Miss Mary B. Daniels, Rev. H. B. Newell, Rev. and Mrs. Hilton Pedley. Spain: Miss Mary L. Page.

Micronesia: Rev. and Mrs. Irving M. Channon.

Publications

For convenience, the work of the Editorial Department is treated here, although in its operation it is distinct from the Home Department. Naturally the two lines of effort are intimately connected, and in what is said below it will be seen that at certain points they actually merge. The problem is that of furnishing information and inspiration to our large, varied, and widely scattered constituency by means of the printed page. The problem is by no means an easy one, in these days of multitudinous newspapers and magazines, and of many interests tending to crowd out attention to so far-off and ideal a work as that of foreign missions. On the other hand, we have

the advantage of a rapidly growing interest on the part of the reading public in world affairs. The days of provincialism among intelligent men are gone. The Church certainly has a special opportunity to make known her world-wide work, and to bring close home to Christian people the claims of our universal Redeemer.

In order to adequately cover this need, we are issuing a series of publications which may to some seem excessive, but which we think we can not only justify, but show to be efficient in every feature. Each publication

has a special aim and a special constituency in view. Corporate Members and pastors, of course, receive nearly all of these as a matter of information as to what the Board is doing. They should realize, however, that many in our churches see only one of these publications, and that, unfortunately, the vast majority see none at all.

The Missionary Herald speaks for itself, as it has for nearly a hundred years, as our official organ, a missionary magazine, we think, of the first rank, a credit to the Board and to the cause. We feel that its influence might be greatly extended were its friends to interest themselves in securing subscriptions in their churches. There might easily be a club of ten subscribers or more in every considerable church, and yet we have only eightyeight such clubs today. We earnestly urge every Corporate Member to ascertain if there is a Herald Club in his own church, and if not to arrange for its organization. All that is needed is one reliable person who each year will solicit and forward subscriptions.

While the editor, Rev. W. E. Strong, is engaged upon the history of the Board, we have been enabled to secure the services of Rev. James F. Brodie as assistant editor, the value of whose work has been apparent in the last few numbers.

Congregational Work. We are under the impression that the value of this inexpensive paper, issued jointly by the seven benevolent organizations of the denomination, is not appreciated as it should be. Circulating to the extent of 30,000 among many who do not or cannot take the Herald, it has won for itself a large place in many families, and consequently in our esteem. The paper, of late, has been decidedly improved, and we think should prove more and more useful.

Envelope Series. This is a little magazine which, by issuing quarterly. and maintaining a subscription list, we are enabled to send out under government second-class mail rates. It contains articles, sketches, etc., which would be too long for the Herald, and which we would otherwise be obliged to issue as leaflets, at much increased cost. At the same time, as an organ of the Home Department it has a special ministry in furnishing in convenient form such literature as the special needs of the department may call for.

Pastors' Series. This is a new and unique venture in the field of missionary publications, which at once leaped into favor with the pastors. It is issued twice a year and sent exclusively to pastors by the Home Secretary. Its purpose is to furnish them with missionary material carefully selected with reference to homiletical effect, so as to stimulate effective preaching

on missions. At the same time it furnishes an economical means of communication and discussion between the Home Secretary and the men who must really bear the burden of this work on its home side. Undoubtedly such a publication ought not to be necessary, but undoubtedly it is.

The News Bulletin. This, also, is an organ of the Home Department, which has won a distinct place for itself, not only in its own special field, but among the friends of the Board generally. Its prime purpose is to furnish, four times a year, in brief and readable form, the most important and telling news from the field. It is mailed to a very large number of men who see no other missionary literature; and we have reason to believe that many of them read it. It is this information coming to them through the year that inclines many of them to respond to our financial appeals when some special stress is upon us, as at the close of the last year. The News Bulletin furnishes the basis in missionary knowledge for our appeals, and at the same time prepares the way for the Missionary Herald.

Leaflets. In the realm of general leaflets we have added several new publications to take the place of those which have become outdated, and to meet one or two needs not before supplied. The list is as follows: Annual Sermon, Annual Report, "Something for the Brotherhood to Do," "The American Board and Your Will," "The Testimony of a Prominent Business Man," "The New Era of Missions," "Facts and Figures as to our World Work, 1908," "Quick Returns from Micronesia," "Specimens of the Fruit,” "From the East and from the West," "His Book," "First Medical Experiences in Africa," "The Call of the Little Islands," "The Medical Missionary," "Ing-hok Station Circular," "The Naturalization of Christianity in the Far East."

Some of these leaflets are of great worth. We would especially mention "The Medical Missionary," written by Secretary Barton, in which are set forth in attractive form facts and descriptions of the remarkable work being done by our medical missionaries. This pamphlet, carefully placed, should secure many new friends for our hospital work. We would urge every Corporate Member to secure a copy to read and pass along. Another pamphlet, just issued, is a reprint of the article by Prof. Edward C. Moore, in a recent number of the Harvard Theological Review, entitled, "The Naturalization of Christianity in the Far East." The treatment of the theme is peculiarly calculated to interest and instruct the more thoughtful students of missionary policy and work.

History. We are happy to report progress being made upon the shorter popular history of the Board, which was called for by the resolutions of the Board in 1906. The guarantee fund of $5,000 to cover the expense of the work has been secured, and the Committee asked our Editorial Secretary, Rev. W. E. Strong, to devote his time, for the most part, to the writing of the book. Our expectation is that it will be issued for the Board's centennial, and that it will find a large reading among our own constituents and also among friends of missions generally.

Administration

Special matters relating to the Corporate Membership of the Board, under our new form of election, will be brought to the attention of the Board in the Report of the Committee on New Corporate Members. It is customary, however, for the Home Department Report to mention the names of such members of the Board as have died during the year. The list is as follows:

Necrology. Rev. James G. Vose, D.D., of Rhode Island, elected in 1877; Rev. Albert H. Plumb, D.D., of Massachusetts, elected in 1881; Rev. Henry L. Hubbell, D.D., of New York, elected in 1883; Pres. Henry Hopkins, D.D., of Massachusetts, elected in 1888; George H. Rust, of Minnesota, elected in 1890; Hon. Henry E. Cobb, of Massachusetts, elected in 1895; Rev. Homer T. Fuller, D.D., of New York, elected in 1896; Rev. Franklin S. Hatch, of Massachusetts, elected in 1897; Rev. Reuen Thomas, D.D., of Massachusetts, elected in 1897; Charles R. Burt, of Connecticut, elected in 1902. Surely a distinguished list.

Dr. Vose, of Providence, was our senior Corporate Member in Rhode Island, having come upon the Board in 1877. In 1893 he was elected to the Prudential Committee, in which connection he continued until 1899. During these critical years he was faithful in his attendance upon the meetings, a wise counselor, and absolutely devoted to the highest welfare of the Board.

Dr. Plumb was one of the most devoted and efficient Corporate Members this Board has known. As member of the Prudential Committee from 1882 to 1903, during a part of which time he was also Chairman of the Committce, he rendered a service of a conspicuous nature. In attention to details, devotion to all the interests of the Board, and loyalty to convictions, he was unsurpassed.

The special relation to the Board of Pres. Henry Hopkins of Williams College, as a Corporate Member since 1888, and as Vice-President of the Board from 1900 to 1906, makes it appropriate to call attention to his conspicuous services in the interests of foreign missions, and to make grateful mention of the strong affection in which he held the Board and all its affairs.

Of Mr. George H. Rust, of Minneapolis, it may be said that his zeal for foreign missions amounted almost to a passion. A few weeks before his death he had completed a tour of the world, taken for the express purpose of investigating missionary work in connection with the commission sent out by the Laymen's Missionary Movement. Upon arriving at Boston he reported to the Prudential Committee as to his observations upon the work of our missionaries, and one of his last services was rendering a similar report at the prayer meeting of Plymouth Church in Minneapolis.

In the death of Mr. Henry E. Cobb, of Massachusetts, the Board loses one who had been a Corporate Member since 1895, and who rendered efficient service as auditor for the past nine years.

In regard to Dr. Fuller, no better tribute can be expressed than by referring to the fact that his last words, uttered on the morning of the day

in which he passed away, were a prayer for the extension of Christ's kingdom throughout the earth, and for a blessing upon the American Board.

Rev. Franklin S. Hatch, elected in 1897, took a special interest in the Board because of his intimate knowledge of our work in India, gained from a residence in that land; and many are those whose interest in this work may be traced to his intelligent enthusiasm.

Rev. Reuen Thomas, D.D., needs no mention here in order for us to recall his advocacy, in a leading pulpit of the denomination, of all that this Board stands for and is attempting to do. He will be particularly remembered as the eloquent preacher of the Board at the meeting in Grinnell, Io., in 1904.

Of these, and the others also, it may truly be said that they held membership in this Board not only as a great honor, but as a serious responsibility, and that their services will be sadly missed in coming days.

Committee Meetings. At the last meeting of the Board no one was elected to the Prudential Committee to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Edward Whitin, the choice of his successor having been left to the Prudential Committee. The Committee have not exercised this privilege, and this vacancy still exists. The Committee have held about the usual number of meetings, and have been concerned over such a multitude of questions and issues as to make it impracticable to characterize the year in any particular way. The docket for the Tuesday meeting is frequently a very long one, containing many questions referred to sub-committees and special matters, sometimes forty and fifty in number, at a single meeting. One of the greatest privileges of the Committee has been the reception of missionaries returning from their fields and listening to their statements as to the needs and conditions of the work. Many have been the inspiring moments when these brethren from abroad have imparted to us their own enthusiasm and joy in the great undertaking. The relations of the Committee to the officers of the Board have been entirely harmonious, and we have reason to think that the Board as now constituted in its various departments is an effective organization. We are glad to know that societies of other denominations have been making a study of our organization and methods with reference to improving their own.

Centennial. We think that the Board may wish to express some opinion at this meeting as to the place of our meeting in 1910, which will be our centennial year. The plan of having all the Congregational Benevolent Societies hold their meetings in conjunction with the triennial session of the National Council, which was followed last year at Cleveland, seems to meet with general approval. Its advantages are so obvious as to out weigh the slight difficulties which such a plan entails. The more do we regret that a question should be raised as to whether it would be best for our Board to take its centennial meeting to a point so far removed from the center of our constituency as Kansas City. In view of the special importance of this occasion to the Board itself, and also having in mind the fact that it will be not only the centennial of this particular Board, but