A thorough perusal of Mr. Stanley’s “Through the Dark Continent” can hardly fail to arouse in the hearts of those yearning to heal “that open sore of the world,” sympathy and fellowship with him. He had his imperfections, and met with obstacles which brought them sharply into view; but the good he accomplished will be the longest remembered. His noble self-denial, after reaching the West Coast, as seen in his fidelity to his pagan followers, indicates characteristics worthy of profound admiration. Instead of leaving their conduct round the Cape of Good Hope to Zanzibar to the charge of others, and rushing on himself, to receive the plaudits of the proudest courts of the civilized world, he quietly and patiently cared for all their wants, for weary months, returning them to their homes and friends, and rewarding them with the liberality of a father’s affection, which will be lovingly remembered among the tribes from whence his servants came, long after his rich and costly gifts of material things have perished. All this will be worth something yet to the cause of missions. “When we were gliding,” he says, “through the broad portals [of the Congo] into the ocean, turning to take a farewell glance at the mighty river, I felt my heart suffused with the purest gratitude to Him whose hand had protected us, and who had enabled us to pierce the Dark Continent from east to west, and to trace its mightiest river to its ocean bourn.” That gratitude, we believe, is shared by a mighty host of the followers of Him who shall have dominion from sea to sea—who are already echoing the last words of Mr. Stanley’s book—_Laus Deo, Laus Deo_. * * * * * THE INDIAN AGENTS WE NEED. The vacancy in the Indian Agency, referred to in the last number of the MISSIONARY, has been filled; but, as other vacancies are likely to occur from time to time, applications, with proper credentials, may be forwarded to this office. As to the qualifications necessary, we can state nothing more clearly than we find it given in an article, which we republish below, from the Springfield _Republican_, written by a gentleman who seems thoroughly familiar with Indian affairs. We will only repeat that an Indian Agency is no sinecure, and should be undertaken by no man who is not thoroughly competent and self-sacrificing: A residence of two years at an agency in Dakota gave the writer unusual opportunities for observation of the requirements of this service. The popular impression seems to be that this office is a sinecure, affording retirement for decayed politicians and inefficient goodies, whereas the service is, when faithfully performed, an arduous one, requiring exceptional and diversified ability.