One of our liberal and constant patrons at the West, tells his experience thus: “I could not see where the funds were to come from to aid you, but yesterday, to my great joy, the inclosed three hundred dollars dropped into my hands, and as a faithful and favored steward, I take great pleasure in handing it over to you, to aid in extinguishing the debt of the Association.” Many expressions of regret come to us from those whose hearts are with us in this effort, but whose means will not permit them just now to help. We wish to express our earnest hope that an effort, so well begun, will not be suffered to fail. It will be seen that some of the pledges are made on condition that the whole sum be raised in a specified time—an additional reason for promptness on the part of those who desire to aid in the movement. We have avoided thus far, the expense of collecting agents, and we trust that the friends of the Association will continue to forward their contributions, and thus save us from any such outlay. It will be a triumph of economy, as well as of liberality. * * * * * Rev. Peter J. Gulick, a veteran missionary of the A. B. C. F. M., died at Kobe, Japan, Dec. 8th, 1877. We record his death with affectionate regret, remembering his annual contributions sent to us for many years, accompanied with expressions of his deep interest, in the uplifting to Christian citizenship of the destitute and despised people of his native land. * * * * * _The Council Fire_ is the title of a new Monthly Journal, of 16 pages, devoted to the history, character, social life, religious traditions, government, current legends, etc., of the American Indian, including also discussions of our relations to him as a people and a Government. The fact that it is under the editorial management of Col. A. B. Meacham, formerly Indian Superintendent and Peace Commissioner, is a guarantee of its character and value. It gives the current history of Indian affairs in all parts of the country. NEGROLOGY.[A] The political calm in the Southern States has apparently given leisure for a somewhat wide discussion of the negro: what he is in himself, and what he may be in the State. It is largely a discussion by Southern men, and from a more or less distinctively Southern standpoint. _Mr. Stetson_ gives a series of answers to questions, representing the negro as he is, morally, socially and politically: the sum of it all being, what might be anticipated for a race of tropical origin, held for generations in slavery, and suddenly endowed with political equality. Sensual and emotional by nature, lazy and thievish by training, clannish and easily misled as a voter, his salvation will depend on his receiving education, but not by a forcing process, and on his coming gradually to the independent exercise of his civil rights.