Methodist Publishing and Mission House, dedicated February 11, 1890.

THE year 1889 will be forever memorable in the history of the Missionary Society as the year when we crossed the line of "A Million of Dollars for Missions from collections only!" Our receipts from this source were $1,014,082 09; our receipts from all other sources, $1,130,137 80. This was an increase of $78,960 71 from collections over the previous year, and an increase of $129,566 56 in receipts from all sources. The net increase in the six years from 1884 to 1889, inclusive, was $378,667 90. The amount received from all sources in 1889 was $399,011 94 more than the amount received in 1884, showing a vast increase in the missionary zeal of the Church during the past six years.

While there is great encouragement in these facts, and we rejoice and give glory to God over the results accomplished,

it cannot be claimed that the amount received is the full measure either of the ability or the willingness of our members to supply the great needs of our Missions at home and abroad. There must be no failure in meeting the call for $1,200,000 during the year upon which we have now entered. Our total number of members and probationers is 2,236,463 ; so that an average of a little over 53 cents for each person would realize the full amount. The total number of Sundayschool scholars is, 2,222,728; so that, if each Sunday-school scholar would bring one cent a week for all our Missions at home and abroad, we should have nearly the whole amount from that source alone. Earnest, persistent, systematic work will enable us speedily to realize the $1,200,000 from collections only.

A review of our foreign mission fields shows that there have been gratifying increases in nearly all our Missions. The largest increase of the year is in our North India Mission, where a remarkable work is in progress. On the Rohilkund District alone Dr. Parker reports 2,677 baptisms, of which number 1,020 were adults. These converts, though poor and of low caste, are all independent, living in their own houses and earning their own living. They reside in 715 villages and towns, and the work is carried on from 155 centers, where a preacher resides or a school is held. The increase of members and probationers in the whole Mission is 1,909. Dr. Parker, after a very long and efficient service as presiding elder, has been released from that office in order that he may devote his whole time to evangelistic work throughout India. It is confidently expected by the brethren that at least 5,000 souls will be gathered for the Master during the present year.

The next largest increase of the year is in Switzerland, where we have gained 1,026 members and probationers over the previous year. Perhaps one reason for the success of our Swiss work may be found in these words of Rev. Leonhardt

Peter, Presiding Elder of the Berne District: "The members of our Church in Switzerland are generally pious and seeking holiness by faith; they are fleeing the pleasures of the world, theaters, balls, worldly concerts, and drinking-houses; nobody can be a member of the Church who takes part in such things."

Bengal reports a gain of 461, and there are wonderful openings for evangelistic work, into which Bishop Thoburn and his co-workers are entering as rapidly as possible. Germany comes next, with a gain of 444, and Norway follows with 359 North China reports an increase of 271, and Foochow of 252. The other increases are as follows: South America, 237; Africa, 197; Japan, 118; Malaysia, 107; South India, 70% Bulgaria, 23; Korea, 7; West China, 5.

Slight decreases are reported from three Missions; namely,,. 156 in Italy, 130 in Central China, and 71 in Mexico.

In Italy this result has been brought about by a careful weeding out of unworthy members and a stricter regard to the rules of our Church. There can be no doubt that the Mission is in better condition than before, and we heartily reecho the words of Dr. Burt: "Let the Church pray earnestly for Italy and at the same time exercise great patience. This is God's work, and he is combining great plans for the redemption of this land. We must not interfere with God's work by our impatience; but if we would succeed we must be found working together with him and have faith in him." The same reasons have operated to slightly decrease the num bers in Central China and in Mexico; but in the latter country there has been an increase of 131 members, and the decrease is entirely in the list of probationers.

The total increase of members and probationers in the foreign missions is 5,553, which is an advance of nearly nine per cent. on the membership of the previous year, while the advance on the whole membership of the Church is a little less than eight per cent.

The Missions in the United States administered as foreign missions all show encouraging increases-the largest being in the Indian Mission Conference, which reports an increase of 723, partially due to the new work in the Oklahama country, which is of course among whites; next is Black Hills, with an increase of 565, considerably over 100 per cent.; then Wyoming, with 303, nearly 100 per cent.; then New Mexico, Spanish, increasing 219; Nevada, 210; Utah, 200; Arizona, 125; New Mexico, English, 78. The total increase in these Missions is 2,423, which is an increase of 56 per cent. on the membership reported last year.

Our German and Scandinavian work in the United States also continues to yield most encouraging results; and this is also true of our work among various other foreign populations. At the same time the help rendered by the Society to needy places in the English-speaking work is accomplishing excellent results. We may look with pride upon the work already done in Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, North and South Dakota, Montana, and many other parts of our growing country. The Missionary Society has an honorable record in the religious history of the new States and the Territories.

All this work, at home and abroad, needs to be pushed with the utmost energy. There never was a better time for seedsowing, with promise of speedy results, than to-day. Many of our great fields seem to be indeed ripe unto the harvest. This is the crucial hour of Japan. The grandest opportunities for educational work, that will tell on the young men of China who are to be the leaders in the near future, are afforded just now. Our young Malaysia Mission opens with great promise, and has a vast field spread out before it calling for immediate occupancy. India offers a grand opportunity for earnest evangelistic work. Methodism has a chance to use her ancient zeal and her earnest revival methods in that land as never before. A brighter day seems to be dawning on

Africa. Europe is open both in its Protestant and Catholic countries to the earnest preaching of the Gospel of Christ for the immediate salvation of the souls of men. South America is calling for more help to make known the Gospel in its simplicity and power. Mexico, our next-door neighbor, needs many more godly men and women to take the truth to those who are ready to receive it. All our home fields are full of promise, and the General Committee made provision for opening work among the Navajo Indians in Arizona and New Mexico-an important tribe to which no one has taken the Gospel.

With these wide-open doors inviting our entrance, there is no lack of godly young men who are willing to go wherever the Church may need their consecrated lives. In many of our colleges, large numbers have signified their readiness to go to any field where the providence of God may call them. Not every one who has a willing heart is possessed of the necessary qualifications for a successful worker in our missions; but among those who are ready there must be many who are at the same time possessed of the "gifts, grace and usefulness" which are indispensably requisite. There is great moral significance in this conjunction of fields ready to the harvest, and laborers ready and anxious to go to the field.

Surely God's people will respond to these loud calls for the consecration of their gifts to his service. Opportunity and ability bring duty which cannot be neglected without guilt. Let the whole Church awake to the demands of the hour.

Two events of the year demand special notice. On the Ist of November, 1889, the new building of the Missionary Society and the Book Concern, corner of Fifth Avenue and Twentieth Street, was occupied. The formal opening services took place in the chapel of the Society on the evening of FebII, 1890, and the Board of Managers held its first meeting in the new building on the 18th of the same month. In the