class="c4">"In the Cypress Swamps," (illustrated) Miss C. F. Knowlton.

"Difficult Problems with Pleasing Results," Prof. J. L. Wiley.

"Our Churches a Necessity to the South," Rev. George V. Clark.

"Fisk University," (illustrated) Prof. J. G. Merrill, D.D.

"Pioneers in Porto Rico," (illustrated) Sec. C. J. Ryder.

"Christian Endeavorers Among the Indians," Prof. F. B. Riggs.

"People Passed By," (reprint) by a Missionary.

"The Debt of Our Country," (reprint, illustrated) Sec. C. J. Ryder.

"Arctic Alaska," Mr. W. T. Lopp.

"Christian Endeavorers and the A. M. A.," Rev. Francis E. Clark, D.D.

"Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians," (illustrated) Rev. W. M. Wellman.

These leaflets may be had for personal use and distribution on application to this office.

THE PROGRESSIVE SOUTH.

It is encouraging to note the signs of progress at the South towards meeting the heavy responsibilities of the situation. It is a mistake to imagine that the Southern situation does not improve from year to year. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, appreciate the trend of events and the necessity for the elevation of the depressed millions with whom they are intermingled. The Southern tragedies of murder and violence have awakened the same horror in their hearts as throughout the country at large. There is a rising sentiment against lynching and for enforcing justice by the cold and passionless execution of law. There is a strong desire to give the advantages of education to both the ignorant whites and the ignorant blacks. There is a growing sympathy for the beneficent efforts to this end which are put forth from the North.

It is a great mistake to confuse the whole South with certain lower elements in its vast and varied populations. It is also a mistake to imagine that sporadic instances of violence here and there are sufficient indices of the situation at large. Millions of the Southern whites and blacks are dwelling together in amity and co operation for the advance of education and for moral progress. Illustrations are multiplying on every side of the desire on the part of the progressive South to fulfil the duties and meet the heavy responsibilities thrust upon it by the masses of population submerged in ignorance.

These immense masses are the burden not only of the South, but of the American people at large. Ignorant labor is shiftless and wasteful labor. The growth of varied and inter-related manufactures cannot rest upon a labor element of clumsiness and stupidity. Civil duties demand intelligence and morals. The best patriotism of the South joins hands with that of the North in the elevation of the lowly and ignorant. What has been done is only the initiation of the ten times more which must be done.

It is a significant fact that the last national census showed that the white illiteracy of the South was deeper than even the foreign illiteracy of the North; while that of the Southern black population was fearfully darker. Both public and private efforts are being made in countless communities of the South to begin the lifting of this great burden. Some of the States have already taken encouraging measures in this direction. While there are reactions, the general tide is that of progress. It is easy to make too much of the violent reactionary outcries of a few Southern newspapers. It must be remembered that these shrill expostulations against progress are comparatively isolated and do not represent the general and deliberate sense of the intelligent South. The day has come when intelligent leaders, North and South, can unite their efforts and push forward the work of popular upliftment throughout the South. The lesson of the hour is not that of impatience and denunciation, but of mutual sympathy and co-operation. The hopeful progress of the past is a presage to the magnificent progress assured to the immediate future.

No more timely words have been spoken than those of a Southern philanthropist when he said: "The Negro must be educated. It is absolutely necessary to both races that his education go on. In our extremity we look to wise and just people in the Northern States to help us to help both races."

GREETINGS TO PORTO RICANS.

At a meeting of the representatives of the different benevolent societies of our Protestant denominations who are entering upon mission work in Porto Rico a committee was appointed to draw up a paper containing a greeting to these people. The paper was to be published in Spanish and English. The copies in English were to go especially to the missionaries to be scattered among English-speaking people. The Spanish translation was intended for the native Porto Ricans. This paper was signed by representatives of different denominations as will be seen. This broad, comprehensive and loving message from the Christians of America to the people of Porto Rico, who are now a part of our own country, must meet the approval of all those interested in the progress of the Kingdom of God rather than some narrow denominational victory. This greeting to the Porto Ricans is as follows:

"We rejoice that your beautiful island has become part of the United States. We take you by the hand as fellow-citizens of this Republic. We pray that you may share fully with us in all the blessings it has to give. We have come among you to show our interest in and our sympathy with you, and to do what we can to help you and your children toward the larger life that is possible to us all.

"We come to you as we have gone to all other parts of our beloved land—as messengers of the gospel of Jesus Christ our Saviour. We have come as brethren in Christ, as joint-members of that spiritual body of which He is the head, to preach and teach among you, and thus in mutual helpfulness to build up the Kingdom of our common Lord and to answer His prayer 'that they all may be one,' and that His will may 'be done in earth as it is in heaven.'

"We are agreed in the great truths of our holy religion, and we will work together that they may produce in this historic island all the choicest fruits of Christian life and culture. We would teach the children the way of eternal life, and bring to the men and women—full of cares and burdens—the rest and comfort and hope that come through faith in the Saviour. And so shall they and we all be brethren and sisters in Christ.

"These are the common purposes that bring us hither. In the name of our common Master we pray you give us and our preachers welcome, and join your labors with ours that this island, so charming in its natural features, may more and more have the beauty of a pure and purifying religion. Then happy will be your homes and happy your people—as Holy Scriptures declare, 'Happy is that people whose God is the Lord.' Education will brighten the lives of the children; Christian morality will stand guard in every community against sin, and the peace which Christ promised to His people will rest upon us and ours.

"Praying for God's richest blessings upon you, beloved people of Porto Rico, and asking your co-operation with us, we are

Yours in Gospel of Jesus Christ,
(Signed) C. L. Thompson,
T. J. Morgan,
W. H. Ward."

PIONEERS IN PORTO