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 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. * * * * * The improvement in missionary literature is well known. Explorations, heroic endeavors of missionaries and their great achievements have given glowing themes alike to author and artist. Communications from the field, encouraging incidents and pictorial illustrations have combined to afford a wealth of interest to young and old. We are keenly alive to the necessity of keeping the AMERICAN MISSIONARY abreast with the very best publications of other missionary societies, at home and abroad. We shall seek to make its appearance attractive by pictures and illustrations. The Children’s Page will contain original stories and suggestive incidents. The General Notes on Africa, the Chinese and Indians will be continued. The fullest information will be given about our work in the South, now recognized as so important to the welfare of the nation, and about our labors in Africa—that land whose fate so stirs the heart of Christendom. The journal of our exploring party of missionaries up the Nile will be given monthly. The editorial department will reflect the missionary zeal and work over the whole field, and add its influence to aid every good agency for the world’s redemption. No Christian family can afford to be without missionary intelligence, and no missionary society can afford to be without readers of its publications; it had better give them to the readers without pay than to have no readers. Missionary zeal will die in the churches without missionary intelligence. But it would be far better for both the societies and the readers if missionary news were paid for. This would give the magazine attentive perusal and the society relief from the reproach of a large expense for publication. Missionary publications should be put on a _paying basis_. Aside from a free list to life members, ministers, etc., the cost of publication should be made up by paying subscribers and advertisements. We are anxious to put the AMERICAN MISSIONARY on this basis. We intend to make it worth its price, and we ask our patrons to aid us: 1. More of our readers can take pains to send us the moderate subscription price (50 cents). 2. A special friend in each church can secure subscribers at club-rates (12 copies for $5 or 25 copies for $10).