St. Michael's, the seaport town and military garrison at the mouth of the Yukon. To the people shut in there during the winter he has been preaching the Gospel and doing missionary work as he has been able, anticipating going with the miners when the breaking up of the spring should set the tide toward the interior. This itinerating work admits of few localizing results, but is absolutely essential if in the feverish and godless camps there is to be any voice of cheer and of hope for the tempted, sick and often discouraged dying miners.

CAPE NOME.-A self-supporting Presbyterian church was organized last winter under the labors of the Rev. S. Hall Young, D.D. Worn out with a long sickness he came back to the States for rest in October, and has since been addressing churches in the East in the interests of that land to which he has given so many years of faithful and heroic service. Before leaving Nome he sent an elder of the Nome church to Teller, a point seventy-five miles northwest on the coast. This elder has been holding meetings during a long and lonely winter in that station, which it is believed will have a considerable population during the coming summer.

Still farther north is ST. LAWRENCE ISLAND, where a company of Indians, many of them Christians, are anxiously waiting for a missionary to be their helper and guide.

POINT_BARROW is the northernmost point of Alaska. The Rev. and Mrs. H. R. Marsh, M.D., have held this station for three years. The fruit of the few years of service on that stormy coast is well expressed by the fact that the lay representative to this General Assembly from the Presby tery of the Yukon is an Eskimo elder in our Point Barrow Church. The school work continues under the care of the Rev. and Mrs. Samuel R. Spriggs, who, during the absence of Dr. Marsh on a brief vacation, have conducted the religious services.

INDIANS.

It is estimated that there are in the United States (not including Alaska) not less than 267,000 Indians. Of these not more than 53,000 can understand English enough for ordinary use. Our work among them reaches from western New York to the Pacific Ocean.

The conditions in the Indian Territory are gradually improving. The passage of the Creek and Cherokee treaties is an event of much importance. Meantime, our churches and schools are going on encouragingly with their work. Henry Kendall College stands as a lighthouse on a stormy coast. In many of the little Indian churches in Oklahoma and the Indian Territory there have not been wanting tokens of divine favor.

There has been special interest in our work in New Mexico and Arizona among the Lagunas, Pimas and Papagos. We have among these tribes over one thousand church members. The training school at Tucson, Ariz., has about two hundred students. During this year the Pimas, impressed by the needs of their less favored neighbors, the Papagos, have organized a mission for them and have raised about $100 toward paying the salary of an Indian missionary.

Recently the Rev. W. H. Gill made an exploring expedition among the villages of the Papagos. He and his wife with a native helper took the journey to the southward to the very borders of Mexico, and in many of the villages preached Christ to people who were eager to hear.

Our last report spoke of the mission of the Nez Perces Indians of Idaho to the Shoshone and Bannock Indians three hundred miles south, resulting in the organization of a Presbyterian church of eighteen members. They have recently built a house of worship. Miss Frost, of the Woman's Board, is our only missionary among these Indians.

Recently there came to her from the Shebitt Indians and other tribes scattered in southern Utah and across the Nevada border a call for some missionary from the new-born Bannocks and Shoshones to carry the light to their tribes, even as the Gospel message had come from the Nez Perces to them. The Rev. James Hayes, Miss Frost and one of the elders of the Shoshone church answered this call.

The success of our work among the Umatillas may be illustrated by the fact that at the last General Assembly a stalwart Indian elder was upon the floor as a commissioner from the church of the Umatillas.

On the Pacific coast our work among the Puyallup, Nesqually and Chehalis Indians with their three churches is moving steadily forward, while far up on Puget Sound a tribe of seven hundred Indians, who have been without the Gospel from any source, have been made glad and hopeful by the presence of Miss Helen W. Clark, a heroic woman who has taken up her abode among those friendless Indians.

Thus our work among the Indians is advancing strongly; but it is estimated that there are not less than 75,000 Indians still in our country who have never heard the story of the Gospel. One of our missionaries says: "I have witnessed many of their fiestas, dances and ceremonial customs dedicated to their tribal gods, and nothing I have ever read in foreign mission literature tells of a degree of darkness more terrible than the satanic rites practiced among the Indians of our own country.

Recently there has come to us a special plea for the Navajo Indians in Arizona. There is a population of over 20,000, fully three-fourths of whom have never heard of the Christian's God.

THE SYNODS.

The work of the self-supporting Synods, as summarized in their statistics, is presented in the table on page 270, and shows encouraging conditions.

PRESBYTERY OF BOSTON.-Our home mission work in New England is under the direction of the Presbytery of Boston. The Rev. Charles S. Dewing, D.D., for fourteen years their Presbyterial missionary, resigned from that office the 1st of last October, as the churches seemed to be progressing so hopefully as to no longer need such special oversight. The results of the past year show encouraging additions to church membership, payment of floating debts, diminishing applications to the Board of Church Erection, and raising of funds toward the erection of buildings and repairs of property.

ATLANTIC.-The Presbyteries of East Florida and South Florida feel greatly encouraged because of the recent mild winter promising abundant fruit Harvests.

Another hopeful token is the increase of population, the recent census showing a gain of thirty-five per cent. in the last ten years. Our helpers in the Florida field have not for ten years had so bright an outlook as at present. During the past year our missionaries have been holding their own, struggling with poverty and churches depleted by removals. There is now a general expectation that the Florida interests will revive and population -and consequently congregations-increase in numbers and in financial ability.

TEXAS.-In Texas, as in our other Southern States, there has been a decided increase of population, the census of 1900 showing an advance of thirty-two per cent. Our three Presbyteries in that Synod are Austin, North Texas and Trinity. Most important in the history of the work of Austin Presbytery during the past year was the disaster of September 8, in which all of our churches in that coast region suffered heavily. Up to that time there had been a good prospect of those churches taking a step toward self-support. Since then, of course, financial advance has been impossible. They have bravely put forth every effort toward selfhelp, and with the aid specially contributed through our treasury and other sources most of our congregations have been able to restore their church properties, and are now continuing the work as before. There has been about the usual increase of membership and a most generous spirit shown in benevolent offerings.

KENTUCKY.-Kentucky, as reported in the last census, has a population of more than two millions, an increase of fifteen per cent. over that of 1890. The Synod is one which is partly self-supporting, but it still leans heavily upon the treasury of the Board. The importance of the work of

our missionaries is attested by all who live near our churches or who travel through our home mission fields. Especially in the mountains are conditions increasingly favorable, both schools and churches being largely attended by those hungry for such opportunities. The entire number of pupils in the mission schools in the Synod of Kentucky is about thirteen hundred, nearly double the number of four years ago.

TENNESSEE.-Three years ago the report of the Board to the General Assembly foreshadowed the forming of a fourth Presbytery, that of French Broad, including the churches in North Carolina which belonged to the Synod of Tennessee. The past year has witnessed the reviving of another Presbytery, that of Birmingham. The other Tennessee Presbyteries are Kingston, Union and Holston.

One of the churches in Kingston Presbytery, situated in Alabama, has gone into the Southern Church—a wise adjustment for all interests concerned.

Our Synodical Missionary writes regarding the whole work under his care as follows: "Ten churches will ask less than last year. Some other churches for various reasons will ask more, and a considerable amount will be required for new work, so that the aggregate for the Synod should be, if possible, something more than was proposed for last year. Our churches in the more thrifty communities are steadily advancing to self-support."

MICHIGAN.-This Synod, which has nine Presbyteries, was foremost a year ago in reducing the amount asked from the Board. Evident progress had been made in lessening the sums needed by individual fields. This year the same conditions reappear. The Minutes of the Synod last fall show that the brethren were admonished to use "the utmost care in the selection of their home mission committees, that the administration of these interests be committed to men who realize their full responsibility to the great Head of the Church in the extension of His kingdom, and who will freely give of their time and energy in careful, conscientious and business-like direction of the work."

The day seems not far distant when this Synod, whose first church was -aided in 1816, shall contribute to the Board of Home Missions as much as it draws from the home mission treasury.

WISCONSIN.-As a whole this Synod is confronted with problems arising from its large foreign population. German indifferentism and customs foreign to American institutions are in the ascendency. The northern part of Wisconsin is being rapidly cleared of its timber. The men in the temporary camp or town need such help as home missions can give them. As the land is cleared a farming and permanent population takes the place of the lumberman. Our Church ought to be on the ground with a nucleus from which we may minister to the spiritual and temporal wants of these settlers and gather them into a church home.

MINNESOTA.-Minnesota is one of our large home mission Synods. Its seven Presbyteries include all kinds of home missionary service, from that of the cities to the remote and thinly settled forest regions. The three great home mission Presbyteries are St. Cloud, Red River and Duluth, comprising more than three-fourths of the territory of this State. Ninetytwo Presbyterian churches are on their rolls, of which only ten were selfsupporting a year ago. There are many new points along four recently constructed railroads in the older portion of the State which should be occupied and are yet practically uncared for. Opportunities were never so many nor so great.

IOWA.-Iowa Synod receives large aid from our Board and at the same time gives generously, having claimed the Rev. J. Milton Greene, D.D., in Porto Rico, as its own missionary. In some communities the Roman Catholics have already attained such notice that a few of our churches are becoming weaker, but a hopeful feeling is in the hearts of our brethren notwithstanding this feature. In the hill country near the Mississippi river localities which have been woody, but now are cleared, are undergoing a transition, it is hoped for the better. The problem of foreigners bringing the Continental Sunday and atheistic tendencies is keenly felt in

the Presbyteries which include the large Iowa cities. On the whole, there is a fine outlook for new work.

MISSOURI.-Missouri has advanced largely in population during the last ten years, the gain as shown by the last census being fifteen per cent. Many of those who have come into the State have been foreigners, and the problem of our foreign peoples in Missouri is one requiring deep study for the future good of our country. Plans are under way which, if successfully carried out, will bring a better condition of affairs next year. Advances are expected in the churches which have been aided; new work could not be undertaken until the old showed signs of some decided progress. Although there has been evidence of weakness and indifference, yet as was said at the meeting of the Synod last fall, "There are wealth, intelligence and numbers which justify large expectations in connection with the service of Christ, and we must see that our churches are brought to a larger measure of self-support, and that we expand our borders by entering new fields."

NORTH DAKOTA.-Few of our States have made a larger advance in population than is shown by North Dakota, seventy-four per cent. since 1890. One of the interesting movements in this Synod during the past year was the suggestion at their annual meeting that the Congregationalists and Presbyterians make some exchanges of churches by which we should be entirely in charge of certain fields and they entirely in charge of others. Such negotiations are in progress and look toward the advancement of the kingdom. Another fact of importance was the election to the office of Synodical Missionary of the Rev. Andrew Christy Brown, D.D. It is expected that with this added help rapid progress will be made in church matters.

The new Synodical Missionary writes: "The prospects for advance movement the coming year are very fine." He sums up the needs thus: "More money, more consecration, and both a fuller baptism of the Holy Ghost and a longing to receive it."

SOUTH DAKOTA.-South Dakota Synod reports a gain in the last census of twenty-two per cent. Our Church should keep pace with this advance. Although many foreigners are coming and the spirit of Mammon has large control, yet the outlook is good. Many people are attracted by the fertile soil, but it will take time and patience to assimilate the foreign element among them and make good Americans and Presbyterians. With the productive soil and the large-hearted people and God's blessing, the future cannot fail to be bright.

In this Synod is found the Indian Presbytery of Dakota, and the only Presbytery in our Church without a geographical boundary. It is composed of twenty-six Indian churches, supplied by fourteen native pastors and three white missionaries. A new Indian church was organized during the past year. The Rev. John P. Williamson, D.D., the beloved "Apostle John" of the Dakotas, has given many long years to the service. Of the past year he writes: "The devil is fighting us hard-heathen dances, sacrifices to evil spirits, polygamy, drunkenness and other such missiles showered upon our people, laying many of them in the dust, but we have surrendered no point; rather have we gained ground. The Indians cannot have self-supporting churches till they are a self-supporting people, which they are not. Proportionally to the amount of their income our members give more to the Church than do the white people of South Dakota. We need therefore, along with growth in membership and growth in grace, growth in civilized life. Pray that the Government may be guided of God in its care of the Indians."

NEBRASKA.-Nebraska is one of the States which the last census shows to have just about held its own in point of population. There was no decrease, but a gain of 10,000 in ten years is all that the State could boast. Conditions on some of the Nebraska fields are hopeful, but on others discouraging. The great drawback on a number of fields is the crop failures, yet in spite of agricultural disappointments the people are looking with courage to the future. There have been several revivals with good results. In the way of church work there is every sign of growth notwithstanding

the financial disappointment and hardship of the past year. Quoting from the report presented by the home mission committee to the Synod last fall we say again, "There is yet much land to be possessed: thousands in the State of Nebraska have no Gospel privileges." Men and money are sadly needed that a forward movement may be inaugurated.

KANSAS.-Considered as a Synod, the work in Kansas cannot be said to have made much progress. The Board has been able to give no means with which to push new work, and no new churches have been organized. Yet there has been progress, as is evidenced by the fact that at least six have entered the list of those supporting themselves. Others will soon join the roll.

The temperance sentiment which was specially awakened during the winter, under the leadership of our ministers and others, has gone forward and become a great movement in behalf of the enforcement of law on the part of the temperance people of the State.

INDIAN TERRITORY.-The Synod of Indian Territory embraces Indian and Oklahoma Territories.

Population has made rapid strides in this region in the last ten years, Oklahoma having increased six times, and Indian Territory more than twice in point of population. The large number of white people who have settled within the limits of this Synod render the work of our Church of increasing importance. There have been frequent changes among our ministers, discouraging to the congregations and making work more unsettled. Smallpox has been so prevalent as in many cases to almost break up the congregations. All the Presbyteries within the bounds of this Synod send an almost Macedonian cry for help in these newly settled fields.

NEW MEXICO.-The Synod of New Mexico includes the Territories of New Mexico and Arizona. During the last decade the population of New Mexico has increased but little, while that of Arizona has more than doubled.

Santa Fé Presbytery occupies about the northern third of the Territory of New Mexico. It contains twenty-three churches-six American and seventeen Mexican. The Mexican work is always picturesque. In many places in this Presbytery it is largely assisted by native Mexican workers. One Mexican licentiate was ordained to the full ministry. The general condition is excellent and in advance of any previous year, with work well in hand, and with promise of steady though not rapid growth. The work among the native Mexicans for the present can hold out little financial encouragement, and the ancient immoral customs will need years of missionary work to efface.

The large Presbytery of Arizona contains work full of deepest interest and importance. Besides the work among the Mexicans and Americans there are missions to the Pima and Papago Indians.

The largest tribe of Indians are the Navajos, who number 23,000. Among these we have never had any mission. They are calling for help; already the salary of one missionary has been nearly raised, and it is hoped he will soon be on the field.

Throughout all the southern portion of this Territory the irrigation question is one of vital importance. The uncertain disposition of the matter by Congress last winter was a sore disappointment and severe blow to the lives of many from whom the means of support has been taken away on account of the Mormon monopoly of water in the northern part of Arizona. People are living without Gospel privileges, yet some of them are members of Eastern churches and others are members of our best families. We have a goodly number of Presbyterians asking help. We long for help. We trust the Board and commit the work and all decisions to the Master.

MONTANA.--Montana, whose vast area and increasing population is covered by three Presbyteries, shows one of the largest percentages of gain in our States the last ten years-eighty-four per cent. The entire northern part of the State, with an irregular southern boundary, is the Presbytery of Great Falls.

In a territory 300 miles long and 150 wide there are but thirteen churches. Eight of these are aided by our Board.