relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the Corresponding Secretary; those relating to the collecting fields to the District Secretaries; letters for the Editor of the “American Missionary,” to Rev. C. C. PAINTER, at the New York Office. DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS may be sent to H. W. Hubbard, Treasurer, 56 Reade Street, New York, or when more convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21 Congregational House, Boston, Mass., or 112 West Washington Street, Chicago, Ill. A payment of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a Life Member. THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY. * * * * * VOL. XXXIV. DECEMBER, 1880. No. 12. * * * * * American Missionary Association. * * * * * The publications provided for a household do much to mould the character of its inmates. If a right proportion of these are religious and missionary, good results are sure to follow. As at this season many determine what periodicals they will take for the coming year, we beg leave to suggest the wisdom of families subscribing for and perusing the AMERICAN MISSIONARY. By this means foundations for right thinking and right doing will be laid, and the way prepared for the exercise of Christian patriotism and philanthropy, so needful in the present condition of our country. * * * * * We have word from Hampton that the tide of negro students never set in so promptly and strongly as since October 1st of this year. For the second time in the history of the school, tents have been erected on the campus and occupied by the colored boys. * * * * * Dr. Alexander, President of Straight University, is much encouraged by the fact that white students are ready to avail themselves of the advantages of the Law Department of the University. This department is entirely self-sustaining, and conducted with rare ability, one of the professors having served on the Supreme Bench of the State. Of twenty-three students, nineteen are white. * * * * * The number of students in attendance at Fisk University for the first two months of this year is much greater than that of any previous year since Jubilee Hall was occupied. A communication from Pres. Cravath, published elsewhere, states at length some of the unusually hopeful aspects of the work, and indicates that the University is entering upon a larger career of usefulness than it has ever experienced.