carry on their operations without let or hindrance, and everyone who wants a copy of the Scriptures can easily obtain one.

We will pass in survey the various centers of distribution, beginning on the western coast of Asia Minor, and then proceeding inward and eastward, and then around to the south and back to the coast. Ada Bazar, Banderma, Broosa, Smyrna, Manissa, Konia, Nev Shehir, Cesarea, Angora, Samsoun, Trebizond, Marsovan, Sivas, Erzroum, Bitlis, Van, Diarbekir, Mardin, Urfa, Aintab, Aleppo, Marash, Adana, make a chain of important centers for such a work as ours. From these centers our agents reach the large and important towns and villages, surrounding and depending upon them, And in many of these also are sub-agents, helping on the good work. We can only run over the list with utmost brevity, and so far as possible let the active workers speak for themselves.

Ada Bazar.-The following is translated literally from the colporteur's report: "I thank the Lord for another year of service, completing my thirtieth year in the work, during which I have providentially escaped many dangers. Wherever I go I try to distribute among all races, visiting the coffee shops and other places where people go. I have given to Greek and Turkish refugees from Rumelia. I have worked on the mountains, in the villages, in the railway cars. My increasing and earnest desire is to leave no one without a Bible. Though I am sixtynine years old, I still feel young enough for the work. Of all the people whom I reach, the Lazes seem the most intelligent, but they have lost all belief in religion. The old Christians are respectful to what they used to denounce as Protestant books. Few of the old-fashioned, inimical priests remain. The attitude of the Turks also has changed for the better. I hear good news from the New Testaments which I distributed among the soldiers."

Broosa." During my travels this year," writes the colporteur, “I found the towns and villages in misery on account of the war. Infidelity is on the increase. People ask for novels, or something new, declaring they are tired of these old Bible narratives. But if some are opposed to the Bible, others remain loyal to it. If there is anything in the world that can save us, it is this book.' The priests are more friendly to the circulation of our books in the schools. In some places Turks seemed eager to buy, but they are afraid of each other, and so purchase secretly. Officials often read them, and are glad to accept copies as gifts, though they do not like to pay for them. In some places the old-time attitude of suspicion leads officials to arrest me for a time as in the old days. But they know they have no legal authority."

Banderma.-This was formerly included in the Broosa district, but that district being rather large, we have established this second center. The colporteur in charge says: "I began to work May 20th, but in the newness of my work I have not done all the traveling needed, and will try to do better this year. At Dardanelles I was suspected of being a Bulgarian spy, and the place where I stopped was watched, until orders came from Banderma."

Smyrna.-In this important city we have a large and well kept

Bible depot in a very busy part of the town. The man in charge, however, is expected to tour his field, a large and populous one. His wife runs the shop in his absence. He says: "I have tried as best I could to do the work this year. I have been much impressed by the readiness of the Jews to purchase even New Testaments. Many Turks also have purchased, and expressed great appreciation of the Society's work. So also Greeks and Armenians. I have had no trouble from the government. At one place a young Armenian told me how he had been praying for a man to come and sell him a Bible. The next day I appeared, and it seemed to him a veritable miracle."

In Smyrna there is a German Deaconesses House, where the Bible is much appreciated. The following acknowledgment from Sister Niebel, the head of the establishment, will explain itself: "Your kind letter has been received, and already your agent even came himself and brought us the Bibles you so kindly sent us for our orphan girls. It was a great joy to me to get them; so much more, as we lost the boxes which were sent to us from Germany, because a fire had broken out in the ship where they were. I thank you most heartily that you have been again so kind as to send us the German, Armenian, and Greek Bibles. It is the best we can do for our children to teach them to love God's dear Word."

Manissa. This district covers the eastern and northern parts of the Smyrna province. Says the colporteur: "Many people are indifferent, others are fanatically opposed, others buy books and boast of having them, but never read them, others read but simply for passages referring to their own racial history. But some, few perhaps, study the Bible for their spiritual profit. An Orthodox priest acknowledged that, while he was ministering to many as a Christian priest, he had really been a non-believer until he had begun to read the Scriptures prayerfully."

Konia. This city is rapidly growing in importance as well as population, under the stimulus of the Bagdad Railway, on which it seems likely to figure as one of the chief stations. The colporteur is an energetic young man, and in his short term of service has greatly improved the quality as well as the results of our work in this district. He relates one or two incidents illustrating the possible influence of the Gospel on Moslem minds: "In a certain place the government officials were displeased when they saw Turks purchasing Scriptures. I was invited to the government office, where my books were examined. They asked the Society's purpose in distributing these books. I related the parable of the Good Samaritan, and they began to express various opinions. One maintained that the books should be distributed free; another that they should be sold only to Christians; another that they should not be distributed at all. They finally agreed in forbidding me to sell, but I told them I could not comply with their wishes, that this is a free country, and that my business was legitimate, etc. In various places I heard this open avowal-that we shall be obliged to accept the Gospel of Hazreti Isa (Jesus) because the piety, the love, and the zeal of these people are sure to conquer."

Nev Shehir.-This is another center in the province of Konia. Our

agent has been working here for many years. He says: Wherever I go, after forming pleasant relations with the people, I read from the Bible and invite them to purchase. It is wonderful how they are affected, if one can only induce them to listen to a few Scriptural words, or induce them to read for themselves. In one large town I was courteously received by police, by army officers, by prominent citizens, by prison guards and prisoners, by high officials and by the governor himself Many of these influential men have come to understand that our purpose is a spiritual one. If some are suspicious, there is no open opposition. In a Turkish village over sixty people assembled, and I spoke to them of the Gospel."

Cesarea. This city is now the central station for the whole large province of Angora. Hitherto the field was worked from the two centers of Angora and Cesarea. We believed it could be more efficiently directed by placing it all under our old and efficient agent, Mr. Mosdichian, of Cesarea. Mr. Mosdichian had in 1912 done very valuable work as a general traveling agent through various provinces. He is a man the field of whose activity we have been glad to enlarge. In order to give him a freer hand, his son was taken on, to have his center at Cesarea, and travel in that immediate vicinity. The old man who for several years had been at Angora, was left there to do what city work he might. Mr. Mosdichian has employed himself in a diligent cultivation of the whole field. Nearly seventy years of age, he seems to shrink from no hardship, and succeeds in making his influence felt far and wide. It were desirable that he were a younger man, to act in a still wider capacity for the promotion of this general work. He writes: "Traveling has been very difficult, but the difficulties have been compensated for by enlarged acquaintance and friendships. Some have dropped off, but more have taken their place. I have been mercifully protected and guided. On account of increased traveling and higher prices, the general expenses have increased. The sales have been comparatively good. Sixty helpers are now engaged in promoting the good work in this district, and many of them have shown decided efficiency. I am greatly encouraged and stimulated by their zeal.”

Mr. Mosdichian's mind is always on the alert for new methods and new means of pushing the work. He has also been zealous as in the past in work for the blind. He is tactful in securing contributions for this work and for the general work of the Society. He is enthusiastic in his efforts to establish a Bible Sunday, to be observed by all the churches that are appreciative of this Society's work.

Samsoun and Trebizond.-These two cities are the centers for the populous district which includes the whole province of Trebizond, extending east and west along the Black Sea for a distance of three hundred miles. The colporteur at Samsoun travels extensively in the numerous Greek towns and villages of that region, and his letters are full of amusing and interesting incidents and experiences. It is rarely he gets through a year without at least one dumping into some swollen stream he is trying to cross. He is a faithful and self-denying worker. So also the man at Trebizond, who is happy in having the confidence

and hearty co-operation of Dr. Crawford, of the American Board, stationed in that city. He writes: "In the towns I have visited I found the people absorbed in politics, and daily awaiting the papers and telegranis. Our Bible work, however, has not lagged behind. Fanaticism is on the decrease. Even in the most bigoted villages, though perhaps there are no sales, I experienced no ill treatment. Illiteracy also has prevented sales in some places. The Turkish villagers especially are ignorant. The Greeks are more advanced, and among them more sales were possible. One circumstance that has much interested me is this, that about eighty per cent of those that buy are under twenty years of age; certainly a ground of hope for the future."

Sivas.-The surrounding districts are cared for by an experienced Armenian colporteur. He has been seriously handicapped by sickness, but has done what he could. He writes: "Traveling grows more expensive. I have encountered various dangers on the road, and have twice fallen into the hands of highwaymen, but escaped harm. Political societies have injured the work, but stimulate me to greater zeal. I have ten helpers in my district, but owing to my sickness, have been unable to visit them, and so have not secured the results I had hoped for."

Marsovan. This is the center of the western part of the province of Sivas, and an important educational station of the American Board. The same colporteur has continued in charge, but his work has been mainly in the town and among the college students.

Kavza.-This is a new center, established by the traveling colporteur who formerly made Marsovan his headquarters. He encountered stiff opposition at the start, but has gradually succeeded in converting opposition into friendliness and sympathy. He writes: "The year 1913 has been a depressing one on account of wars, poverty, and the general misery. Still our work has advanced. At a time when one would expect an unfriendly attitude on the part of the Moslems, as a matter of fact many, even of the official class, have shown much zeal in studying the Bible. A Circassian friend of mine has shown great love for the Bible and devoted much time to its study. One day I found him with a written paper in his hand, addressing some dozen people about the humanity and divinity of Christ. During the year I have encountered robbers four times, but escaped harm. I have more than ever noted the material as well as spiritual progress that take place in the homes where the Bible has entered. I have met with fanaticism and persecution in several villages. But their attitude has since changed, and I have hope of succeeding among them."

Harpoot.-This is another educational center for the work of the American Board. The colporteur writes: "Thousands of young men have left the country to escape the conscription. Whole villages appear completely abandoned. The roads have been unsafe, but I have done more traveling than ever. I have visited Christian and non-Christian villages with no opposition from any quarter. I was warmly received by the Kurds at Dersim, who welcomed the Bible. But everywhere I find infidels and the indifferent."

Erzroum and Erzingian.-These were formerly two separate centers, but the Erzingian agent is now working in Constantinople, and the whole Erzroum field, large as it is, has been worked by only one man. A more energetic work is desirable in this district, and we hope we may be able to bring about some improvement.

Bitlis.—The same colporteur as for years past continues his efforts. The following is reported by him: "The influence of the Bible in these regions has increased among Turks and Kurds as well as among the Christians. Notable changes have taken place in the villages as the result of greater knowledge of the Bible. In the villages I find friends in many who have formerly purchased Scriptures of me on the road. I visited a village where there were relatives of the famous Moosa Bey and Mirza Bey. It was near this village that the famous attack was made some twenty years ago on missionaries Knapp and Raynolds. I met there an Armenian who coufessed that he used to be with Moosa Bey a good deal, and claimed that he had used his influence to prevent the murder of the missionaries, and that he had always been glad, and this man declared that he had become a better man through reading a Bible he had purchased of me in Bitlis." This colporteur relates many interesting incidents, which we cannot now repeat.

Van.-We have now arranged for a traveling colporteur in this district, directly responsible to us. His work as yet is not a large one, but it is interesting and important as a general pioneer work. The Rev. Mr. Yarrow, the American Board missionary at Van, says: "I believe this man will be very beneficial, and we shall do all in our power to help him." The colporteur himself writes as follows: "In former times colporteurs were roughly handled in the villages here. The situation now is very different. Evil-minded men still exist, but in general I am welcomed everywhere, the books are appreciated, and I am frequently invited to speak in the village churches. The general misery and restlessness of the population are a serious hindrance, but in spite of everything the work is going on well."

Diarbekir.-The old agent continues to run a Bible shop in the city. He refers to this shop as being a center for religious talks and influence. At this center there is also an active traveling colporteur, who traverses the rather wild districts surrounding, including much Kurdish territory. He is as zealous and fearless as ever. I take as follows from his reports: "Early in the year I was in the western part of my field, and held there by a snowstorm. The Turkish director of the prison asked me to give Bibles to the prisoners there, which I was glad to do, forty in all, Turkish and Arabic. On a later visit the director asked for more Scriptures, and wanted one also for his own office.. During two winter months I remained at Diarbekir, and there also visited the prison several times, distributing Scriptures in Armenian, Turkish, Arabic, and Kurdish. Have met with encouragement in many places. Many of the poor evangelical churches made contributions to the Bible Society." This man has visited in our behalf the Mardin field with reference to the more efficient organization of our work there.

Mardin.-This district has been worked hitherto under the direction