lege and university professors.- -The Plymouth School of Applied Ethics omits its session in 1896. The Greenacre Assembly will be held again at Eliot, Me. This annual conference has attracted many persons interested in the religious, social, and scientific problems of the day.

Schools for Bible Study

Of the various institutes devoted exclusively to Bible study, Mr. Moody's Northfield schools are the most famous. Similar Conferences are held each year at Lake Geneva, Wis., for the benefit of workers in the Y. W. C. A. and Y. M. C. A.- -The American Institute of Sacred Literature is firmly established at the parent Chautauqua and several other summer assemblies. It is under the direction of President Harper, of Chicago, Professor Sanders, of Yale, and a number of able coadjutors.- -The Baptists will this summer open a training-school for Sunday-school teachers at Jackson, Tenn.-We may note in this connection that the triennial -International Sunday-School Convention, the body which appoints the committee to select the International Lessons used throughout the world, is to meet in Tremont Temple, Boston, June 23-26.

First in point of attendance among the Great Religious Meetings religious meetings of the year will be the Washington Christian Endeavor rally, July 8-13, which will probably bring 50,000 visitors to the Capital City. Unusual provision has been made for the comfort of these guests. Prominent men of all professions and of all religious denominations will address the great audiences.The Baptist Young People's Union of America will hold its sixth annual Convention at Milwaukee, July 16-19. Arrangements are being made for the seating of audiences numbering 12,000 people.- -At Jersey City, during the week of the Christian Endeavor meeting in Washington, the Young People's Christian Union, composed of the young people of the Unitarian and Universalist Churches in the United States, will assemble.

-The eleventh annual Convention of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew is called to meet at Pittsburg, October 10. The attendance will probably number about one thousand laymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church. It is announced that Archbishop Boyd Carpenter, of Ripon, England, will preach the anniversary sermon.- -The general secre taries of the Y. M. C. A. are to hold a Conference at Cleveland, June 5-9. Over 1,300 salaried officers of the Association in the United States and Canada will be represented.- -The International Missionary Union, an organization composed exclusively of foreign missionaries belonging to evangelical denominations, will meet at Clifton Springs, N. Y., June 10-17.- -The Quadrennial Conference of the Methodists, the General Assembly of the Presbyterians, and the anniversaries of the Baptists and Unitarians have been held during the month of May.- -The General Convention of the Christian or Disciples' Church will be held at Springfield, Ill., October 18-23, and will represent nearly one million communicants.- The Congregational-. ists have no general denominational gathering this year; the Congregational Home Missionary Society is announced to meet at New Haven, June 2. General O. O. Howard will preside; the annual sermon will be preached by the Rev. Dr. Daniel Merriman, of Worcester, Mass. The American Board will meet at Toledo this year, October 6-9, and the American Missionary Association in Tremont Temple, Boston, October 22; Justice Brewer, of the United States Supreme Court, will speak at this latter meeting.

The most interesting political gatherings of the sumPolitical mer, of course, will be the Republican and Democratic Conventions Nominating Conventions to be held at St. Louis and Chicago, respectively, in the months of June and July. In the latter part of July, also, there will occur at St. Louis the Conventions of the Populist and Silver parties, meeting on the same date, July 22. On August 25 the Republican League of the United States will hold its Convention at Milwaukee, the League of Democratic Clubs meeting at St. Louis in the same month. These are all of the strictly political meetings of importance announced to be held during the summer. There will, however, be several occasions of a patriotic character. The memories of the Civil War will be revived by the Grand Army of the Republic in its National Encampment at St. Paul, September 3, as well as by the grand reunion of the United Confederate Veterans at Richmond, Va., on June 30. The Sons of Veterans also are to hold an encampment at Louisville, Ky., in September.Several important anniversary celebrations will take place during the summer and autumn. On the 1st of June the State of Tennessee will celebrate its admission into the Union. The Governors of other States have been invited to participate, and everything will be done to make the occasion a dignified and memorable observance of Tennessee's natal day. The exposition planned for this year has been postponed till May, 1897.Another important centennial celebration will be that of the city of Cleveland, the exercises of which will extend from July 19 to September 10, and will be of a highly interesting character. An oration by Senator Hawley, of Connecticut, and an ode by Colonel Piatt, the Ohio poet, will be prominent features of the programme. Historical pageants and musical festivals, together with various forms of entertainment, will serve to mark the summer of 1896 in Cleveland's municipal history.- -An effort will be made to celebrate the anniversary of one of the most celebrated of the Lincoln and Douglas debates at Knox College, Galesburg, Ill., on October 7 of this year. The oration of the day will be delivered by the Hon. Chauncey M. Depew

The twenty-third National Conference of Charities and Correction is to be held at Grand Rapids, Mich., June 4 to 10. This will be a meeting of considerable importance, and will be attended by many of the leading

Philanthropy and Social Science

penologists and workers in various forms of philanthropy from foreign countries as well as from the United States. Mr. A. O. Wright, of Wisconsin, is President of the Conference of 1896.-The American Social Science Association will meet at Saratoga in September.

-The annual Convention of the Commissioners of Labor Bureaus will be held at Albany, N. Y., June 23. The municipal ownership of water, gas, and electric light plants will be one of the principal topics of discussion.— -The meeting of the American Bar Association this year will be at Saratoga Springs from August 19 to 21. The President of the Association is Mansfield Storey.

The American Association for the AdvanceScientific Societies ment of Science will hold its forty-fifth annual session in Buffalo, beginning August 24. The President of the Association for 1896 is Professor Edward D. Cope, of Philadelphia. Most of the universities and colleges of the country, as well as various scientific societies and institutes, will be represented on the programme of the meeting through their officers.The American Institute of Architects plans to hold its thirteenth annual meeting at Nashville, Tenn., October 20. The examination of the buildings erected for the coming Tennessee Centennial Exposition will be an important part of the business of the Convention.The Society of Civil Engineers will meet this year in San Francisco, probably on June 30.-The American Philological Association will hold its annual session at Brown University, Providence, R. I., July 7. Professor Francis A. March, of Lafayette College, will preside. -The International League of Press Clubs will meet in Buffalo, June 23, and remain in session one week. Many well-known newspaper men are members and officers of this organization, and women's press clubs are well represented on the governing boards and committees. This year's meeting of the League of American Wheelmen will take place at Louisville, Ky., beginning on August 10 and lasting through the 15th. Reduced fares have been secured on the railroads, and a very large attendance is expected.

& New Books

[Continued from page 1001]

fact that wages fell during our Civil War. War, as is well known, always reduces wages, just as it always increases interest. In Europe, where this disturbing element did not enter, the marvelous rise in wages during this general period was regarded by Cairnes as the one blessing to humanity coming from the exceptional expansion of the currency.

-A History of Modern Banks of Issue, by Charles A. Conant (G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York), is by no means strong on its philosophical side, but is nevertheless a valuable book. The author has investigated with great care the banking systems of every important nation, and has presented the results in an octavo volume of 573 pages, well indexed. The author rejects the theory of the English Bank Act that the volume of bank-note currency should be limited, and would, apparently, allow every bank to issue as much currency as its own interest impelled it to. The objections to such a currency he does not present in such a way as to convince his readers that he understands them. No one, at least, could learn from this volume why enlightened governments have denied banks their old liberty to inflate the currency during periods of over-confidence, and contract it during periods of panic. Similarly unsatisfactory is his treatment of the commercial crises of the present century. In describing the commercial panic in England at the close of the Napoleonic wars, he does not even note the practical doubling of the value of money consequent upon the return to specie payments. Yet this increase in the value of money was the omnipresent cause of the fall in prices and the bankruptcies. Similarly, in describing the depression in this country from 1873 to 1879, he does not mention the change in the value of money, due either to the rise in the value of gold or the rise of our paper money to par with gold. These criticisms, however, relate to the philosophical side of the book. On its historical side it is full of interesting and valuable information.

Early Long Island, a colonial study by Martha Bockée Flint, is a very valuable contribution to the history of New York State. By carefully investigating the social, religious, and political developments within a small territory, it contributes far more to a knowledge of the period covered than if a wider field had been chosen. The work is well done. (G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York.)

The

Extraordinary Cases, by Henry L. Clinton, is primarily a book for lawyers, but may reach a wider audience, by reason of its humor. cases described are from among those in which the author has been engaged during his long and successful practice at the New York bar. Many of them possessed public importance, and all of them elements of popular interest, which the author has developed as only a natural story-teller can. (Harper & Brothers, New York.)

A Bad Penny, by John F. Wheelwright (Lamson, Wolffe & Co., Boston). The story of a bad boy who by bravery partially redeems

his life.

Cold Dishes for Hot Weather, by Ysaguerre and La Marca (Harper & Brothers, New York). A book of recipes for the summer season. Nothing remarkable or new is in the book.

Fairy Tales, by Mabel Fuller Blodgett, illustrated by Ethel Reed (Lamson, Wolffe & Co., New York), is a book of fairy tales that will charm away the deepest, darkest blues on a rainy day.

The project of erecting a monument to the late German novelist, Gustav Freytag, at Wiesbaden, has been practically abandoned for lack of sympathy with the subject.

There was a rustling in the branches of the climbing roses, and the morning-glories seemed to ring their bells. It was the fairies telling. each other how lovely it was to have such a pretty, sweet, gentle mother. In fairyland there are kings and queens, and lords and ladies in waiting, but there are no mothers. In the land of fairies mothers are thought to be worth more than everything else. This it is that puzzles the fairies so when little children are impolite or disobedient to their mothers. To them it seems to be a terrible thing to have so great a gift as a mother and yet not be loving and tender and true always.

The fairies looked out sadly from under the buds, the leaves, and the flowers at the cross, impolite little girl in the doorway. At last they stole quietly away, for the sight was too painful, and they could not change the feelings of the little girl. All but one stole away, making a faint murmuring sound as they went through the leaves and through the grass on the lawn-all but one fairy, and she sat

were untied, and there were four china dolls in tiny tin bath-tubs. They lifted out the tubs, and under each of them was a whole suit of clothes for a tiny baby-dresses and petticoats that hung below their feet, and last of all they found tiny lace caps with strings to tie under the chin. Such laughing and trying on and measuring you never saw, and right in the midst of it came the sound of the drums and bugles, and the little girls rushed to the piazza. Mary saw that they could see the parade better from a settee under the big tree on the lawn. She carried one there, and then stood each on the bench. The dolls were turned so that they could see the men and the flags and the soldiers. The fairy who was under the canopy looked at them and murmured, "How sweet they are!"

On came the drums and the bugles. At the head of the procession rode Alice's papa, and when he passed the house he raised his hat and bowed very low to the four little girls. Then all the other gentlemen raised their hats, and the little girls blushed with pleasure; they felt as if they were part of the procession.

The band broke out into a gay march, and the procession passed gayly on.

"Let us go after them," whispered Hilda. There came a frightened look into the little girls' eyes, and Alice's cheeks grew pale at the thought. The fairy under the canopy wished she was a giant, that she could hold the gate tight. Hilda jumped down, and all but Alice followed her. Just then there was a loud call at the gate, and Uncle Harry, Hilda's dear. Uncle Harry, drove up in his carryall. "I thought perhaps you would like to see them once more. We will drive through to the other street. Come, Mary, bundle them in; take Alice on your lap."

Hilda blushed; she could not look at the other little girls. "Come, hurry, little woman, or we will miss it," and Uncle Harry lifted her in before she could speak. The carriage was driven rapidly to a corner where the procession would pass again, and all the gay soldiers and the music and the crowd delighted the little friends once more. Their cheeks were so like roses and their eyes so bright that Uncle Harry said they must go and call on grandma-that is, Hilda's grandma.

Hilda jerked away her hand, and when she met Carrie her frowns were so forbidding that Carrie's smiles all disappeared.

Mary looked at the little girls. and felt so sorry for them that she took Hilda by the hand and into the parlor.

"You are not polite to these little girls. I know if they could they would go home. How can you be so naughty?" Hilda jerked her arm away and went out on the piazza, where the little visitors sat in a solemn row on the settee. Alice, who was only four, looked as though she wanted her mamma.

Hilda felt ashamed, and she drove away the frowns and hurried after Mary. Soon Mary came back with Hilda's tea-dishes and doll and some crackers and milk, and a chocolatecream, one for each little girl, on a plate. Such delightful visiting, and trying on of each doll's jackets and hats; such attempts at making tissue-paper hats and dresses, as would have delighted you, were made on that piazza. The fairy who stayed, almost wished she was a little girl; would have wished so, if she had not known that she must be a fairy to weave lacework on the grass and shrubbery in the early mornings. The lunch-table was SO pretty. Not a big table, but mamma's low, pretty sewing-table, with the four low chairs that mamma kept for Hilda and her friends. There were cold chicken, and baked potatoes, and rice with chicken gravy, and ice-cream and strawberries. Then Mary brought in four little boxes tied with ribbon. The little girls hurried so fast to untie the ribbons that they pulled them into hard knots. At last they

When the little girls left, she gave them each a large bunch of roses, Uncle Harry said to match those in their cheeks. She invited them to lunch with her the next Saturday, with all their families of dolls. Such planning and planning as to what they would do the next Saturday! The very top of the mountain of joy was reached when Uncle Harry said he did not propose to be left out of any such plan. He could invite if he were not invited. Would the young ladies go driving with him after lunch to Buttermilk Falls, and crown him King of the May? There was a shout of "Yes, thank you, Uncle Harry."

Hilda stood in the doorway watching for her mamma. Her face was happy, but as she looked down the road you could see she was anxious. When her mamma did come home, she found a thoughtful little girl with a rose in her hand waiting for her. All the history of the day was given, even the naughty whisper. Her mamma listened, and held her so close in her arms that the little girl knew how frightened she was at the thought, and her brown eyes filled with tears. When Hilda told of Uncle Harry's invitation, her mamma smiled. King of the May! I never heard of one." "No, mamma, dear, Uncle Harry said it was entirely new-a nineteenth-century idea.' I'll tell you about it after I come home."

The fairy under the canopy by the gate hurried away to spread the news of the strange May party, for even in fairyland new ideas are welcomed.

The Religious World

The one hundred and eighth meeting of The General Assembly the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, North, was convened at Saratoga, May 21. A large number of the Commissioners appear to be new men, or men who have not been members of late years. Dr. J. L. Withrow, of Chicago, was chosen Moderator on the first ballot. We believe that Dr. Withrow lately voted with the majority of the Chicago Presbytery to admit Mr. Vrooman to membership, and in this column last week we reported the complaint to the Synod which ensued. Dr. Withrow was, however, nominated by Dr. Davies, of New York, in a very effective speech, full of assurances for the conservative interest, and it was understood that he had given ample pledges on that behalf. The liberals are said to have voted for him in large part, believing that he represents the great body of moderate men who are solicitous to compose the difficulties which have disturbed the Church since it met at Saratoga six years ago and initiated the ineffective movement for a revision of the standards. This note of reconciliation was also struck in the annual sermon by the retiring Moderator, Dr. Booth, of New York. His theme was "Christian Union and Denominational Loyalty," the latter being emphasized, at least, quite as strongly as the former. The feelings of the Assembly were evidently touched by the earnestness with which, while insisting on strictly orthodox positions, he urged such brotherly conferences as might remove misunderstandings and alienations that had become "inexpressibly painful." The most serious question that will have to be dealt with is the constitutional question, i.e., whether the Assembly in its action at Pittsburg last May, enjoining the New York Presbytery (and by implication other Presbyteries) not to receive students coming from seminaries not approved by the Assembly, transcended its constitutional limits. This question has caused some division among those who on theological grounds had stood together against the teachings of Drs. Briggs and Smith. The Assembly was at once plunged into a warm discussion by the report of its special committee on the relation of the Church to the local Christian Endeavor Societies. Those who were disposed to break the solidarity of the Young People's Society for Christian Endeavor for the sake of a more denominational organization were quite outnumbered. The home rule principle triumphed in this matter, the Assembly adopting the view of the committee, that it rests with the session of the local church to see to it that their young people's society conforms to the usages and standards of the denomination. Next week we shall continue our account of the proceedings. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, South, is also in session at Memphis, and fraternal greetings have been exchanged between the two bodies.

Baptist Anniversaries

We are living in the midst of religious anniversaries. The Presbyterians are at Saratoga, the Methodists at Cleveland, the Congregationalists the first week in June will be in New Haven, and the Baptists for the last week or two have been celebrating at Asbury Park. Almost if not quite all their societies have been holding their anniversaries at that city by the sea. The women have vied with the men in the meetings. It is impossible for us at present to do more than mention one or two of the items which were of peculiar interest. We turn to the report of the Missionary Union, which is the Missionary Society of the Baptist Church. The Foreign Secretary is Rev. S. W. Duncan, D.D. His report shows that the debt of the society has been reduced about $26,000 during the year, but the debt still remaining is $163,828. The sum is an enormous one when considered by itself, but not when compared with the wealth of the denomination. The donations for the year were about $296,000. The legacies were about $189,000, but we are not informed by the reports whether that is in addition to the other donations. The President of the Union for the ensuing year is Dr. Henry F. Colby, of Ohio. Another meeting of much interest was that addressed by Dr. MacArthur and the Rev. F. A. Remley. Dr. MacArthur spoke on the needs of foreign mission work, and illustrated his address by his recent tour around the world. Mr. Remley spoke on the unique subject “Are Missions Needed in Germany?" He argued very strenuously that Germany is essentially a heathen country-we do not quote his words, but summarize the spirit of his address. The facts which he gave are surely significant, whatever may be thought of his conclusions. He held that the Church is losing its grip upon the people and that the "Social Democracy" is opposed to the Church and hostile to Christianity. Among the other addresses which have attracted much attention in the press were those of Dr. Faunce, of New York, and Dr. E. H. Johnson, of Crozier Theological Seminary. Altogether the meetings seem to have been a success and to have excited great enthusiasm throughout the denomination.

Congregational Churches of New York

The sixty-third annual meet'ng of the General Association of Congregational Churches of New York was held at Canandaigua, May 19-21. The Association passed temperance resolutions recommending the clergy to use their influence for the enforcement of temperance laws, especially those restricting the liquor traffic and those providing for temperance education in the public schools; they urged Congress and the President to guarantee protection to Christian missionaries in Armenia, and they approved the report of a committee recommending an alliance between the Congregationalists and free Baptists to increase the endowment of Keuka College in the State of New York, and bring it under the joint control of the two bodies. Of the papers and addresses presented, we speak here only of those which it was the pleasure of this writer to hear. Dr. Behrends's sermon on "Sowing and Reaping" was forceful, practical, and full of hope and inspiration to preachers and Christian workers; the Rev. S. E. Eastman's address on "The Errand of Jesus," which he defined to be bringing life into the world, was, especially in the latter half of it, one of great spiritual beauty; the Rev. H. N. Kinney, of Syracuse, showed by his paper on "The Training of Children" an expert's knowledge of recent investigations into child nature; the Rev. Lyman Abbott's address on Christianity and Social Problems' was along the line of his sermons on this subject recently published in The Outlook; the Rev. W. B. Thorpe read a paper on "The Future of Congregationalism," notable for its clear-cut distinction between evangelistic missionary work and missionary work having for its purpose church extension-some of his practical suggestions are certainly well worth careful consideration by the Home Missionary Board; Dr. Griffis, of Ithaca, made a characteristically vigorous and dramatic address, broad in its comprehension of Congregationalism as something much larger than a mere ecclesiastical phase of Puritan life; President Booth, of Auburn Theological Seminary, spoke with a very different kind of eloquence, and with great simplicity and beauty, of Christian unity as distinguished from Church unity—the first he commended, the second not. Dr. Bradford's address on "Japan and its Religious Outlook was delivered after the present writer had left the Convention.

Theology at Yale

The Theological Department of Yale University celebrated its anniversary last week. The services began with the usual address before the Seminary, which was delivered by the Rev. A. H. Bradford, D.D., on "The Unity of the Spirit: A World-Wide Necessity." One of the great attractions of the week was the presence of Professo George Adam Smith, the great Free Church scholar who is now visiting this country. A special reception was tendered to him by the Seminary. Yale numbers among its professors many of our strong men in the department of theology. The venerable Dr. George P. Fisher has no superior in the English-speaking world as a Church historian. Professor Samuel Harris has ceased his active service, but his books will long be read. His place has been taken by Professor George B. Stevens, who had already made a reputation in the field of New Testament Exegesis. His place in turn will be taken by the Rev. B. W. Bacon, D.D., of Oswego. Professors Curtis and F. H. Porter have proved their fitness for the departments respectively of Old Testament Exegesis and Biblical Theology. The department of Sociology is strongly filled by Dr. Blackman, while Dr. L. O. Brastow has the department of Sacred Rhetoric. No theological seminary in our country is better equipped or doing better service.

There is far more open-air preaching in the Open-Air Preaching Old World than in the New. It is no uncommon thing to see a group of people gathered round a preacher in Hyde Park, or in different parts of London, or in the various cities and towns of the Kingdom. Such sights are not common in this country. An attempt is now being made here to organize a movement for open-air preaching. It is largely under the leadership of the Rev. Edwin H. Byington, of Pilgrim Chapel, Brooklyn. At a conference held in the Hanson Place Baptist Church in 1892, Mr. Byington spoke on this subject with so much effect that a committee was appointed to form a National Association of Open-Air Workers. The Association was organized, and its third report will soon appear. The aim of the Association is to bring together all who believe in the efficiency of this kind of work. Among those specially interested we notice the names of Commander Ballington Booth, the Rev. J. S. Stone, D.D., of New York, the Rev. E. H. Byington, of Brooklyn, and the Rev. T. S. Hamlin, D.D., of Washington. The reports indicate that the movement has been received with much favor. The London Open-Air Mission, which was established by "Rob Roy" Macgregor in 1853, has fifteen hundred members. The London Mission has one hundred and twenty-nine special agents and preachers who visit race-courses and fairs and public parks and hold religious services. Meetings of this kind are said to have been successful in

many country districts, in Philadelphia, in Syracuse, in New London, in Washington, and elsewhere, The experiment is certainly worthy of being thoroughly tested. Under certain circumstances we can see no reason why it should not result in great good. The writer has often studied those who gathered round the open-air preachers in Great Britain, and have felt that little benefit could be accomplished, because the preaching was so poor, consisting usually of the idlest exhortation. If, instead, there could be strong words from strong men, we believe that many would be reached who now care neither for churches nor for religion. Our advice to the Association, therefore, would be, Do not try to go too fast; do not think any one is good enough for open-air work. Remember that street preaching ought to be of quite as high a quality, and, of course. more popular in character, than that in the churches.

Changes in the Doshisha

It is important that those who are interested in the cause of missions in Japan should have a true understanding of the changes which have recently taken place in the Doshisha. The great University was founded by the fidelity and ability of the late Joseph Neesima. As the result of the investigations of the recent Deputation of the American Board to Japan, it was judged that it would be best for all concerned if at the end of two years the appropriations should be discontinued. That judgment was reached without making any reflections on the management of the Doshisha. It was felt that the contributions of the Board were given for more distinctly evangelistic purposes. As a result of the condition in which the trustees found themselves, they have voted to declare their independence, and to receive no further aid, either in money or in men, from the American Board after the end of the year 1896. The trustees are rightly desirous of becoming independent as speedily as possible, and their efforts to do so have our hearty approval. Only one thing in their action we seriously regret. In the reorganization of their school they have placed at the head of the largest department Professor Utika; he is a man of unquestioned ability and an able instructor, but his writings, as they have been translated and circulated in this country, prove him to be anything but a clear thinker on religious subjects or a wise leader in religious affairs. We have no prejudice against Professor Utika; in many respects we admire him exceedingly, and believe that positions even higher than the one which he occupies he would greatly honor; but if the Doshisha ever expects to receive the co-operation of Christians in the United States, it must not have at its head men who feel called upon to denounce much of the faith for which Neesima lived and died, and to help to promote which the Doshisha itself was established. With the heartiest appreciation of all that Professor Utika has achieved in the field of scholarship, and with the fullest recognition of the fact that the Doshisha is an absolutely independent institution, we cannot forget that it owes its existence to evangelical Christians in the United States, and that the same class of people would be glad to assist it in the future. They will be willing to do so, however, only as they have assurance that it stands in Japan for a broad but reverent, a tolerant and yet positive type of Christian faith and life. We sincerely hope that it may yet so commend itself to the American churches that they will esteem it a privilege to aid it in the future.

portance. It is situated in the midst of the old fortifications which surrounded the city; it has a noble equipment as to buildings, but, like many other educational institutions, is suffering much from the stringency of the times, and needs to be strengthened if its efficiency is to be continued. Colleges of this kind at the South are at a disadvantage. The colored people are not rich enough materially to aid them, while the majority of the white population does little if anything for their support. Institutions at the North have behind them usually a loyal and financially able constituency; not so with those for colored people at the South. And yet the work which they are doing is of surpassing importance to the country and the kingdom of God. Dr. Bumstead has not asked from The Outlook any recognition, but we are somewhat acquainted with the University and with the circumstances in which it is placed, and we believe that we are doing the cause of humanity a service by calling attention to its singular usefulness, and the great opportunity which it offers to those who are seeking for wise means of investing their money in the interests of their fellow-men.

The Methodist General Conference From a Special Correspondent

The 530 delegates assembled in the General Conference represent every State and Territory in the United States; there are delegates from India, China, Japan, Mexico, South America, Italy, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, and Sweden. Thus the nations of the earth are assembled. All race distinctions are ignored, as white, black, and yellow are indiscriminately seated throughout the hall. The selection of General Conference officers has occupied the attention of the Conference for the past week. After the election of Bishops, the Book Concern agents for New York were chosen. Dr. Homer Eaton was re-elected by a practically unanimous vote. Dr. George P. Maines, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was elected as his associate. For the Western house at Cincinnati Dr. Lewis Curts was continued, and Dr. Henry C. Jennings, of Minnesota, was elected as second agent. A strong effort was made to put one layman in each of the New York and the Cincinnati houses. Mr. Charles R. Magee, of the Boston Methodist Book Store, polled a very large vote on the first ballot. Mr. George B. Johnson, for fifteen years the Secretary and Treasurer of the Cincinnati house, came near to being elected as agent.

Thus far the laymen have received nothing in the way of office from the Conference. These Book Concern offices being almost entirely secular, the laymen thought that only men of thorough business training should be put in charge, particularly as so large financial interests, reaching millions of dollars, are involved. The secular papers throughout the country seemed to get an erroneous impression of the purpose of Dr. Lannahan's recent book on "Frauds in the Book Concern." He refers to alleged frauds that occurred about twentyfive years ago, which were investigated and passed upon at the time. The affairs of the Book Concern are in good condition at the present time, and neither Dr. Lannahan nor any one else desires any investigation at this time.

Dr. McCabe being advanced to the Bishopric, Dr. A. B. Leonard was elected as the first Secretary of the Missionary Society. Dr. Leonard has been Secretary for eight years. Dr. A. J. Palmer, pastor of St. Paul's Church, New York, and Dr. W. T. Smith, of Des Moines, Iowa, were elected as the remaining Secretaries of the Missionary Society. The Secretaries for the Church Extension Society, Drs. Kynett and Spencer, were re-elected. The same was done with Dr. C. H. Payne, Secretary of the Board of Education, and also with Drs. J. W. Hamilton and J. C. Hartzell, Secretaries of the Freedman's Aid and Southern Education Society. Dr. Jesse L. Hurlbut was continued as editor of Sunday-School Literature. Dr. W. V. Kelly was elected editor of the "Review." Dr. J. M. Buckley was by an almost unanimous vote continued for the fifth time editor of the New York "Christian Advocate." While more than two-thirds of the members disagree with Dr. Buckley upon the woman question, his commanding ability is recognized by his opponents. There are few men who can wield influence in a large legislative body equal with Dr. Buckley. He is a genius in parliamentary affairs, and a master in debate and on the platform. He was accorded a grand ovation on the announcement of his election by the great audience of delegates and visitors.

Dr. David H. Moore, the brilliant editor of the "Western Advoat Cincinnati, was re-elected. Dr. Jesse Bowman Lowry was chosen editor of the "Central Advocate," of St. Louis. Dr. Arthur Edwards, who for over a quarter of a century has been the editor of the "Northwestern Advocate," of Chicago, was re-elected. Dr. J. E. C. Sawyer, editor of the "Northern Advocate," of Syracuse, N. Y., was re-elected. The editor of the Pittsburg "Advocate," Dr. C. W. Smith, was continued. Dr. W. S. Mathews was elected editor of the California" Advocate." The editor of the "Christian Apologist (German), Dr. A. J. Nost, was re-elected without an opponent. The Rev. J. B. Scott was elected editor of the "Southern Advocate." Dr. J. F. Berry was continued editor of the "Epworth Herald." F. L. Nagler was re-elected editor of the "Haus and Herd."

Much of the time of the morning sessions of the Conference during last week has been used in electing Bishops and officers of the Boards, but the afternoons were used by the various committees in considering the many subjects before them. Most of the committees have indicated that they are nearly ready to make their final report.

B. F. D.