aid to Mr. Channon in building his house and in his work for young men, especially for those who are connected with the Phosphate Company. Mr. Arundel, the president of the company, has himself made substantial contributions for the building of the native church and for other improvements in the mission station. The presence of the Phosphate Company and the bringing into that center of so many natives of the island have modified mission work in several ways. There has been made possible the opening of evening schools at the center where these young men who work in the phosphate mines can have opportunity to learn to read and to get clear ideas of Christianity. Some of them, after finishing their contract with the company, decide to remain in the school and to prepare themselves for Christian work among their people.

The Prudential Committee has decided to reinforce the Gilberts, as well as the Marshall islands, just as soon as suitable recruits can be found. It is exceedingly important that these reinforcements be upon the ground quickly.

GUAM

Under the leadership of Rev. Francis M. Price, more than ten years ago pledges of contributions were secured for the opening of mission work on the island of Guam, in the Mariana Group of the Pacific Islands, which had then recently come under the American flag. The island itself is about thirty miles long, with an average width of ten miles, having a native population numbering somewhat over 10,000. The inhabitants are Chamorros with a language of their own. Between 6,000 and 7,000 of them live in the town of Agana, while the remainder are scattered in a few villages along the coast. Agana was made an American naval station with something like 150 Americans, officers, marines, and civil employees, residing there. The natives were all professed adherents of the Roman Catholic Church and until the arrival of the first missionaries of the American Board, the Church of Rome had undisputed sway.

The mission was opened early in 1901. On account of broken health, Mr. Price was compelled to come home in 1907, and Rev. and Mrs. H. E. B. Case who had joined the mission in 1905 persevered alone. Mission buildings were erected with funds specially given for that purpose, and property was secured for the continuing of mission work. Mr. and Mrs. Case developed the

undertaking so far as was possible with the resources at their command and the lack of reinforcement.

Last year the question was considered by the Prudential Committee as to whether the Board should withdraw from the island altogether. After long and full consideration of the case, in view of the inability to find proper reinforcements for its older and larger missions, and in view of the cramped financial condition of the Board, the committee reluctantly decided to withdraw, at the same time voting to pass over to any evangelical missionary society that would carry on the work in Guam all of its right and title in the property secured by the mission. It was necessary for Mr. and Mrs. Case to come home for their regular furlough, which they did, leaving the island with no missionary to look after the work. An ordained native pastor is in charge of the native church. Church services are sustained under the leadership of the native pastor, while some of the Christian representatives of the government have shown an interest in the church and are aiding them in the support of their gospel institutions. The little church has forty members, one-fifth of whom were recently received on confession of faith. There are about 125 included in the Protestant community.

This work was offered to the Episcopal Board of Missions. Bishop Brent visited the island and was eager to undertake the task, but the Episcopal Board, for financial reasons, felt unable to assume the added expense involved. There is no organization now in sight to which this work can be transferred, and yet, in the face of the obligations resting upon the Prudential Committee, they feel that the path of duty lies in not continuing a work for so small a population, when the resources of men and funds are so limited for the work in general.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

DAVAO, MINDANAO. Robert F. Black, ordained: Evangelistic and general work. Mrs. Gertrude G. Black: Work for women and children. Charles T. Sibley, M.D.: Medical work. Ms. Annie S. Sibley: Associated in medical and general work for women.

Associated with the mission, not under appointment: Miss Mary R. Matthewson: Trained nurse, associate in medical work.

One station; I ordained missionary; 1 physician; 2 wives; number of missionaries, 4; I native evangelist; 3 teachers; I organized church; 17 members,

3 added last year; 150 adherents; 2 Sabbath-schools with 74 members; 3 other schools.

Mr. and Mrs. Black, after furlough in this country, have returned to take up again the general evangelistic work, and Miss Matthewson, a trained nurse, has gone out to work with Dr. Sibley in the medical department.

Story of the Mission

The American Board mission in the Philippines is confined to the island of Mindanao, which has an area of about 34,000 square miles. It is the most southerly island of any consequence of the Philippine Archipelago. When the American flag was first floated over the island, several of the leading mission boards entered Manila and began missionary operations there. Other boards quickly followed, but no attempt was made by any of them to enter Mindanao, which in land area is nearly one-third of the entire group of islands. Special funds were contributed to the American Board in this country for beginning work in that neglected part of the Philippine group, and the Missionary Association of Manila, after careful consideration, set aside Mindanao as the field of the American Board. The Prudential Committee voted in 1901 to accept the funds given for that purpose and to begin work in Mindanao. Mr. and Mrs. Black were sent out as the first missionaries in 1902, and after investigation it was decided to make Davao, in the southern part of the island, the mission station.

At about that time a company of men in New York became especially interested in the medical work, and the Mindanao Medical Association was organized to raise funds for the support of medical work in the island of Mindanao, the same to be carried on in connection with the work of the American Board and as a part of their work for the people of Mindanao. This association has faithfully adhered to the arrangement, and not only has provided money for the support of Dr. and Mrs. Sibley and the expense of the trained nurse, but has also provided a house for Dr. Sibley and a power launch for use in visiting the coast towns, and is planning to build a hospital. Dr. and Mrs. Sibley are appointed missionaries of the American Board and are members of the mission, although supported by the Mindanao Medical Association.

When the question of withdrawing from Guam was brought before the Prudential Committee, this work in Mindanao was also considered. After full investigation it was decided to withdraw from Guam but to strengthen and push forward the work in