In spite of the change of agents four times in less than four years, and in spite of all endeavors to break down Christian influences here, these Indians have steadily progressed. They are cultivating more land and doing it more thoroughly, showing more interest in schools, and a stronger desire to adopt civilized habits, one young man going so far as to come to me with the request, “Father, they say you are skilful; can you not make my shoes squeak for me? They don’t squeak like white people’s shoes.” * * * * * THE CHINESE. * * * * * “CALIFORNIA CHINESE MISSION.” Auxiliary to the American Missionary Association. PRESIDENT: Rev. J. K. McLean, D. D. VICE-PRESIDENTS: Rev. A. L. Stone, D. D., Thomas C. Wedderspoon, Esq., Rev. T. K. Noble, Hon. F. F. Low, Rev. I. E. Dwinell, D. D., Hon. Samuel Cross, Rev. S. H. Willey, D. D., Edward F. Flint, Esq., Rev. J. W. Hough, D. D., Jacob S. Taber, Esq. DIRECTORS: Rev. George Mooar, D. D., Hon. E. D. Sawyer, Rev. E. P. Baker, James M. Haven, Esq., Rev. Joseph Rowell, Rev. John Kimball, E. P. Sanford, Esq. SECRETARY: Rev. W. C. Pond. TREASURER: E. Palanche, Esq. * * * * * THE ROMANCE OF MISSIONS. BY REV. W. C. POND, SAN FRANCISCO. It is said that in connection with a somewhat enthusiastic collection for the American Board, taken ten years or more ago, at the First Congregational Church in this city, one card was sent up having this inscription: “Five dollars for Home missions, but ‘nary red’ for Foreign.” The Christian spirit of the expression and its rhetorical elegance are about equal. Yet it well represents one class of Christian workers and givers who believe intensely that charity begins at home, who like to _see_ what they are doing, and to watch its on-goings and to judge of its results for themselves. Foreign missions seem to them chimerical; the interest in such work romantic; and they don’t believe in romance and chimeras. We have sometimes met another class whose interest flags when they are brought in contact with the hard facts of any Christian work. For them, “’Tis distance lends enchantment to the view.” To see and handle any Christian enterprise involves them inevitably in disappointment. They read the glowing pages of the _Herald_, and often feel their hearts burn within them; but if brought into actual, daily contact with the toils, the drudgeries of service, the days of small things, the months and years of discouragement through which, with faith that would not falter, God led his servants on to that which now makes those pages glow, they would soon become disheartened, possibly fault-finding, as though funds and men were being wasted on a work that makes so little show.