RICO.

The opening of this new island territory for the Christian schools and the evangelistic work of the American Missionary Association is of great interest. Many questions are naturally asked by those who are in sympathetic touch with this new and important movement.

Who have gone to this field? Where have they gone and what fields are opening? Why have they gone? These questions present themselves to the attention of those who have watched with great interest the opening of this island to an intelligent and progressive Christian influence. Let us answer these questions in this article.

A SHACK—A PEASANT'S RESIDENCE.

First, who have gone in this pioneer band of missionaries to Porto Rico?

The educational work is especially under the care and direction of Prof. Charles B. Scott and his wife. Prof Scott is a graduate of Rutgers College and of Oswego State Normal School. He is a teacher of many years' experience and thoroughly qualified for the establishment and direction of the educational work of the Association among this people. Mrs. Scott, a graduate of Michigan University, also takes an active part in this work. They are both devoted Christians, and the religious quickening and spiritual elevation of the people comprise an important part of their efforts.

MISS JULIA D. FERRIS.

MISS ISABEL FRENCH.

Miss Julia D. Ferris goes from Saginaw, Michigan. She received her education at Wellesley College after leaving the High School of her own city. She has been a teacher for several years and has attained marked success in this work.

Miss Isabel French is a graduate of a classical school in New York City and pursued a post-graduate course at Barnard College. She has had large experience in teaching and in Christian and philanthropic work, which qualifies her for this mission field.

MISS JENNIE L. BLOWERS.

Miss Jennie L. Blowers has already had experience in the mission schools of the American Missionary Association, having taught in Chandler Normal School at Lexington, Ky. Her home is in Westfield, New York. She was reappointed to work in the South, but was ready to enter this more distant island field. She is well qualified for this new work.

MISS KATHERINE M. ROWLEY.

MISS MARY L. DANIELS.

Miss Katherine M. Rowley comes from Oberlin, Ohio, being a member of the First Congregational Church of that city. She is a graduate of Oberlin College and is cordially recommended for this missionary service by her professors and teachers.

Miss Mary L. Daniels is a member of Dr. Munger's church in New Haven, Conn. She has been a teacher in the public schools, where she has attained a high position as a very competent instructor. She takes with her the regard and confidence of a large circle of friends and there is every prospect of her abundant success.

All these teachers understand the Spanish language to some extent. This is essential, in order to do the work in Porto Rico.

REV. JOHN EDWARDS,
Evangelist.

Rev. John Edwards, a pastor from Ohio, has been sent out by the Association as an evangelist in this same field. The preaching of the gospel is greatly needed, and Mr. Edwards' circuit covers a large area in evangelistic services. He is in eastern Porto Rico, where there is scarcely any other missionary work.

And so this little band of eight devoted men and women have entered upon the pioneer work in opening up Porto Rico to an intelligent gospel. They have gone out with the prayers and sympathy of thousands of those who have been greatly interested in the important work in this island territory. The future promises large things in the building up of Christian character and the establishment of progressive Christian institutions.

Where have these missionaries gone? They landed first at San Juan, on the northeastern portion of the island. They established a school at Santurce, which is a few miles distant from San Juan. From this field Miss Blowers writes as follows:

AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION SCHOOL, SANTURCE.

"The schoolhouse opens on the street (the military road), where there is a constant stream of passers by. There is not an hour in the day that there are not spectators peering in at doors and windows with idle curiosity or eager interest. Sometimes there are not more than three or four, but often as many as eighteen or twenty. Let me tell you of the various persons who composed this outside audience, as I watched them one morning. A native policeman, a business man waiting for his car, three beggars, boys with large trays of bread, fruit and sweetmeats on their heads, a washerwoman with a huge basket of clothes poised securely on her head, the driver of an ox-cart, who stopped his team while we sang "America," three women going to market, a party of daintily dressed, sweet-faced senoritas with their chaperone, a dirty, wild-looking old hag who almost frightened me, a young mother carrying a naked baby in her arms, and boys—well, it was no use to count them. What do you think? Are we not being well advertised?"

ON THE MILITARY ROAD FROM SAN JUAN TO LARES.

Great care was taken in locating these schools. Rev. A. F. Beard, Senior Secretary of the A. M. A., and Rev. William H. Ward, D.D., a member of the Executive Committee, visited the island to examine the conditions and discover the best points for such work. Prof. Scott, after reaching the island, also made thorough investigation concerning the most important location. He wrote after reaching Porto Rico: "The railroad from Arecibo is impassable. I hired a pony and a boy to guide me and started for the town. The only way of traveling now, except on military roads, is by pony. I had never ridden two miles on horseback in my life, but it had to be done and I am still intact, and have