—Mr. D. Smith, of the Presbyterian church of England mission at Formosa, has lately been privileged to baptize nine natives, making in all thirty-two members of the Peh-tsui-Khan Church. There has besides been a considerable amount of inquiry here, so that the congregation of hearers has greatly increased. Other places in this island have also had blessing and additions to the churches. —Dr. Happer thinks that Prof. S. Wells Williams over-estimates the population of China at the present time. The loss of life in recent years, caused by wars and famines, has been considerable, and the recuperative power of the Chinese people has greatly decreased on account of the use of opium. Mr. Happer estimates the present population as 300,000,000. —The singular idea prevails among some in China that the reason why Chinese become Christians on reading the Bible is, that they are stupified by the ink used, in consequence of which they lose their reason and are thus ready to believe what is false. People are warned, therefore, against buying or reading foreign books. —The students sent by the Chinese government for study in this country live in American families, and visit the headquarters at Hartford at certain times for inspection, and for drill in their own language. The number is distributed at present as follows: Boston Institute of Technology, 8; Troy Polytechnic Institute, 5; Lafayette College, 2; Lehigh University, 5; Bethlehem, Pa., 2; Institute of Technology, Hoboken, 2; Yale College, Classical, 9; Scientific, 5; Amherst, 1; Harvard, 1; Columbia, 1. The greater number are in Hartford and vicinity. * * * * * ITEMS FROM THE FIELD. FLORENCE, ALA.—Rev. W. H. Ash, with aid from this Association, is putting up a neat parsonage by the side of the new and tasteful church-edifice. NASHVILLE, TENN.—The new enthusiasm in Fisk, at present, is over the novel “Tonic-sol-fa system” of vocal music. By means of this excellent voice culture, Mr. Adams is bringing out the strength and beauty of voices for which nature has already done so much. The first interest does not abate, and very perceptible improvement daily increases. Livingstone Missionary Hall is now building, and over this is much rejoicing. LOUISVILLE, KY.—On the Sabbath, Feb. 20th, Superintendent Roy preached for the Congregational Methodist Church of this city, as well as on the two preceding nights. The church, which has 95 members, a Sunday-school and a class-meeting along with the prayer-meeting, and which worships in a hall, owning its own organ, voted to unite with the Kentucky Association, and invited the A. M. A. to furnish them with a pastor. A similar church at Junction City, Ky., is moving in the same direction, having its own modest church property.