financial conditions through which we have recently passed. In order to economize in the expenditures, the four numbers per year were decided upon. The economy was necessary. The disadvantages, however, are very apparent. Large space in each magazine is necessarily occupied by the statistical report of receipts. This is essential. It is an important financial safeguard and an evidence of the thorough business administration of the Association.

However, less space is left for general matter. Partially on account of this restriction of space the magazine has taken a slightly different complexion. It is our desire to present as complete as possible the nature and conditions of the missionary work in our various fields. The discussion of incidental or even fundamental problems connected with the work of this Association is not often possible. Those who contribute to this work either money or prayers have a right to know what is being accomplished. Nothing can present it so clearly as illustrated articles, prepared by those who are in these mission fields. In the current issue two important schools are presented in this way.

In the Department of Christian Endeavor the development of work among the young people of the Highlands is interestingly presented. During the current year we plan to present our secondary institutions as the higher institutions were presented—through illustrated articles during the last year.

We acknowledge with gratitude the pleasant words spoken concerning the American Missionary in various periodicals. The cordial notices in missionary cotemporaries of other denominations, and those of our own mission schools, is especially appreciated.

A commission consisting of two members of the Executive Committee have recently visited the mission field. Rev. E. S. Tead, of Boston, and President T. J. Backus, of Brooklyn, were selected by the committee for this special service. They were accompanied by the senior secretary, Rev. A. F. Beard, and through a part of the field by Sec. G. H. Gutterson, of the New England District. They carefully inspected several of the schools of the Association, and their visit was of great value. The testimony they bear to the efficiency of the work and to the interests of the field is pronounced and emphatic. In a future issue of this magazine we hope to present articles from members of this commission which will be of great interest to our readers. The testimony of an experienced pastor and prominent educator must have great weight.

Strong testimony to the value of the educational work among the negroes is found in Harpers' Weekly for February 10th. In an able editorial on "Negro Education," we find the following: "The storm and stress period of the South is still upon it. The curse of slavery has not yet been removed. But it is clear that the schools are sending the light into the dark places, and that everything that shuts off or reduces the brilliancy of the light is inimical not only to the negro, but to the whites themselves, to the South, and to the whole country." No truer word than this could be spoken. The education of the negro is not a question of sectional or local importance alone. It is fundamental to the safety and development of our country. There are in the Southern public schools 27,445 teachers employed in teaching negroes. Twenty-six per cent. of the average attendance of school children in the Southern States, including the District of Columbia, are negroes. The total enrollment of the blacks constitute, however, only 52 per cent. of the children of that race of school age. This fact again emphasizes the necessity of such schools as the American Missionary Association plants among these black people. The high grade and exceptional character of these schools are certainly worthy of commendation. The report of our commissioners based upon facts personally and independently gathered by each will present the conditions as they are. The years of heroic and sacrificial service on the part of a body of missionaries and teachers, unsurpassed in any field, are bringing their legitimate and noble fruitage.

FIFTY-FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING.

Springfield, Mass., has set the doors of its hospitality wide open in its welcome to the Fifty-fourth Annual Meeting of the American Missionary Association. This city occupies an ideal position for such a convention. It is the center of many railroad lines, both steam and electric. A large population are resident in the towns and cities and countryside, easily accessible through these lines of transportation. It is so located geographically that many of our most populous states are within easy distance. Add to this the cordial enthusiasm of the churches and citizens who invite the Association, and we have every element of a great and inspiring meeting. Already committees are organized and arrangements are being perfected for this meeting.

Full particulars will be given in a future number of the Missionary, and in our Congregational papers. Rev. Philip S. Moxom, D.D., Springfield, Mass., is the chairman of the general committee, and will receive and pass over to the proper sub-committee any correspondence which may reach him.

TILLOTSON COLLEGE, AUSTIN, TEXAS.

ALLEN HALL, TILLOTSON COLLEGE

January 17, 1881, witnessed the opening of this institution. It was christened "Tillotson Institute." The age of "romance" in the education of the negro was well-nigh passed. The matter-of-fact brain of the late Rev. George J. Tillotson, of Wethersfield, Conn., formulated the plan, and his generous heart enabled him, with the aid of individual contributors and the American Missionary Association, to carry his plan into execution. His purpose was to give the negroes of this far-away Southwest opportunities for securing an education equal to those of any other portion of our fair land. With this end in view he visited Austin and secured an ideal site for the coming college, destined to become the "Yale of the Southwest." Austin contains the magnificent Capitol, the State University, St. Edward's College and other schools, public and private, besides the state institutions for the insane, the blind, the deaf, the aged soldier and the orphan. Within the limits of the city, and yet removed from its din and dust, commanding views of many of these buildings, and of the far-reaching valley of the Colorado and the wooded hills beyond, our campus of twenty acres is a delight to the eye. Undulating, well suited for drainage, well stocked with shade trees and a profusion of wild flowers in their season, it is at once beautiful, healthful and inspiring.

CARPENTER SHOP, TILLOTSON COLLEGE.

The first building erected on this lot was Allen Hall. It stands on a hill of easy ascent, and is a substantial structure of stone and brick, five stories in height. While it was approaching completion, as story after story was added, the ambitious and intelligent young colored people watched its growth, eagerly anticipating the time when they would "enter its basement and ascend story by story, till they should step out upon the roof full-fledged college graduates."

Money for the purchase of the lot came mostly from Mr. Tillotson's own purse. His efforts in soliciting