light of Christ during the year. So his pastor, a most judicious man, tells me. The pastor urged me to keep him on another year as colporteur."

Rev. D. W. Clapp, Tai-ku: "We do what we can at fairs and in visiting villages, but we have not thought it profitable to hire agents to go out on purpose to sell books-I mean on a stipulated salary. This year has been particularly discouraging for this kind of work, because of the failure of a large part of the crops on account of drought. If the coming spring and summer should be no worse than the last, this province (Shansi) would be reduced to beggary and multitudes must starve. Besides, in this region at least, nearly all the people are opium users, and that of course makes it harder to accomplish much in the line of book-selling."

METHODIST EPISCOPAL MISSIONS.

Rev. E. S. Little, Kiukiang: "The colporteur is to-day starting on a journey which will bring him back about the Chinese New Year. He has met with a good deal of persecution and opposition as he has travelled. The old stories are continually being repeated. He was recently told that foreigners eat a baby once every seven days; and he has to bear a good deal of shame for his connection with foreigners and the Christian religion. I wish that the Bible Society could find some means by which they might disseminate the Scriptures in tract form with such comments as are found in our English Bibles."

Rev. A. C. Wright, Chinkiang: "I think there is a growing demand for Scriptures, and I hope to sell many more next year. I want a fresh supply as soon as I can dispose of what I have. My native helper sells most of the books, and the expense is always greater than the receipts. Should any money be left after disposal of these, I will report when ordering a new lot. I am greatly interested in this Bible distribution work, and trust, I may be able to do more of it."

Rev. John Walley, Wuhu: "The year's work has been of rather a varied kind, and considerably interrupted from the disturbed state of the Yangtze Valley for several months. This also accounts for the fewness of the sales in some measure. The general distress on the north has somewhat interfered with our work. The results of the work have been somewhat encouraging. The colporteur Yeh has several times spoken of the interest taken in the books and the narration of the old, old story. He also relates that at a place, some ninety li from here, called Ni-ch'a, quite a number have become interested in the gospel through his visits to the village, and request me to visit them for the purpose of organizing a church. If I find that they are sincere, I shall take an early opportunity to do this. I understand that no missionary has yet visited Ni-ch'a, so that the movement

is entirely the outcome of the colporteurs efforts and the interest in the books."

Rev. D. W. Nichols, Nanking: "I herewith beg to hand to you the report for sales by colporteur for five months, ending December 31st, 1891. The colporteur has been confined principally to work in the city. I have thought it best to have him during the latter part of the year in the city, there being so much uncanvassed territory within its limits. His sales have been moderately good and the expenses very light. A few books have 'been sold by my chapel keeper; these I have added to sales by colporteur. Out of 1,113 Portions sold during these five months, 985 have been sold by colporteur, and 128 by chapel keeper. While my colporteur is not a brilliant man, he is one of the most earnest Christians I have yet found in China. He is faithful in the discharge of his duties, and constantly bears testimony to the fact that he is working for the Lord Jesus; and not a few times during the past year has he been forced to endure hardships, such as many much older in the Christian religion would have hesitated to pass through. No one, except those who are themselves on the field and have actually engaged in the work, can appreciate the many difficulties the native colporteurs have to contend with. It is a very easy thing for a foreigner to sell books and tracts, but quite different for a native. These men are deserving of great sympathy and much forbearance on our part. Many through their influence have been brought to attend the means of grace, and some few led into a new life. May God give us many more of these men. As to myself, I am a combination of circuit rider, overseer of day schools, and colporteur. I have sold some 450 Portions. I have great faith in the work of the Bible Societies."

A careful reading of the above will give one a somewhat definite idea of the conditions of Bible work in China. The field is wide, and one method cannot equally apply in every province and district. It will be the aim of the Agency to carry on its operations more effectively than ever in a spirit of sympathy and co-operation with missionaries, whenever this can be done without infraction of the charter under which we hold and disburse a sacred fund.

There is, as compared with 1890, a decrease in circulation of 4,465. This is owing in part to the late troubles in China, and partly to the failure in rather an unusual degree of correspondents to send in their reports promptly.

Grand Total 50 8,550 76,978 5,489 2,079 4,815 40 1,174 112,889 114,103 [This table is defective, and the total circulation by colporteurs should be 138,962.]

JAPAN.

The supervision of Bible distribution in Japan is at present entrusted to a Committee of twelve persons, representing the American Bible Society, the British and Foreign Bible Society, and the National Bible Society of Scot

land, in accordance with the plan announced in the last Annual Report. The failure of Mr. Loomis' health made it needful for him to seek a change of climate and a period of rest, and he has consequently been absent from the field since the middle of July. Increased responsibility was thus thrown upon Mr. Braithwaite, the agent of the Societies of Great Britain. It appears from the report of the Bible Societies' Committee that the total sales in 1891 under the new arrangement amounted to 56,498 copies, of which 2,493 were Bibles, and 16,531 Testaments. By the American Bible Society alone, there were sold in 1888, 59,485 copies; in 1889, 40,291 copies; and during the first six months of 1890, 31,163 copies. The combined sales by the Committee in eighteen months, from July 1st, 1890, amounted to 81,453 copies; but the Committee express the opinion that "the scheme which is now being tried is working as well as could be expected under the circumstances."

The report of the Committee refers to the year 1891 as characterized by unrest in the world of nature and of politics. The fearful earthquake of October 28th, gave occasion for liberal grants of the Scriptures for free distribution among persons living in the devastated districts around Gifu, Ogaki, and Nagoya. After speaking of the tone of society, and the attitude of the people toward foreigners, the report proceeds to say:

There is not the same earnest and general spirit of inquiry which could be reported some years ago. True, there are earnest seekers after truth, and such there always will be; but the mass of the people is stolidly indifferent. The reports of the various churches represented in Japan, while not unduly pessimistic, show that the ratio of progress of, say ten years ago, has not been maintained. At the same time there is ample evidence that there has been advance, and that that advance still continues. A great work is being done, a greater work yet remains to be done; and this Committee rejoices to think that the Societies which it represents fill an important sphere in connection with that work. Archbishop Longley once said: "If I must choose between sending the man without the Book, or the Book without the man, then I say, send the Book without the man. The man has made mistakes, and may make mistakes; but the Book can make none." The churches are not shut up to this alternative. In Japan the voice

of the living preacher is heard, and the Book is in the hands of the people, bearing its testimony for God. But, sooner or later, and perhaps sooner than some imagine, the missionary will be dispensed with; and with this in prospect, we may thank God that the people have in their hands, "the word of God which liveth and abideth forever." The promise is as true now as ever, and the following instances will show that God's word does not return to him void-it is accomplishing that which he pleases, and prospering in the thing whereto he sends it.

"To-day I met

Mr. Kiyama Kenzo writes, on November 17th: with a young man on the way to Naka-no-ura. As we walked together, I told him about the gospel. He asked me to accompany him home, and I gladly complied. On entering, I told the family that I was selling Christian books. On this they fired up, and asked the young man what he meant by going with Christians. Eventually, we were both driven out and the door shut upon us. We went together into the fields, and opening my Bible, I read and explained to him Matt. 10: 34-39. I then gave him a little book, and after prayer departed. I believe he is not far from God. The people of his village, and especially his own friends, are bigoted Buddhists."

Mr. Honji writes: "I am very glad to send you the following story: Near Kioto lives a man of the name of Kasuki Seizaemon. He has little of this world's wealth; but in June, 1884, he bought from me a copy of St. Matthew, and eventually it proved to be in his case, as a field containing hidden treausure. He read it over and over again. The consciousness of his sin grew and deepened. Day and night, in true sincerity of heart, he prayed for more light. I did not see him again for a long time; but recently he came to my house and, after further study, was baptized and enrolled as a member of the Shijo church."

Again he writes: "On November 25th, at Teratamura, I tried preaching by the wayside. Among those who gathered were some ignorant people, who began to throw stones, and threatened me with violence. Very luckily a policeman came to my rescue, and soon dispersed those who were creating a disturbance. When I had finished, he said he wished to learn more about Christianity, so I went to the station with him, and after many inquiries on several points of doctrine he bought a Testament. By his assistance I procured a house for preaching in the evening. About twenty-five came, and listened silently to the truths I placed before them."

Another writes: "On the 10th of March I went to Teragai Mura, to sell the Scriptures and to spread the gospel. On this date there is a Shinto festival held, and many people gather from the surrounding locality. I began to preach in the yard of the Temple, setting forth Jesus as the Son of God, and the Saviour of man. Soon a crowd of between 200 and 300 gathered, and listened attentively. In a little while a Shinto priest, named Abe, came up and said: 'What God are you speaking of? Is he the same as the eight hundred myriads of Japanese gods? What do you mean by this word God?' I replied: