Wytheville, Va., is a representative mountain town, situated amidst a rich farming and mining region. Already Northern capital and enterprise have found their way to like portions of the South, where the climate is salubrious, the winters mild, and the rewards of labor immediate and sufficient for the wants of an industrious population. Very much, however, remains to be done for the vast areas of the mountain districts of the South. The school privileges of blacks and whites are as yet quite limited. The people, however, have been distinguished for their loyalty to the Government, and in some portions of the mountain country for their readiness to accept missionary endeavors, regardless of the color line. Prof. C. C. Painter, of Fisk University, and Rev. I. P. Dickerson, one of the original Jubilee Singers, now a missionary in the south of France, were born at Wytheville. * * * * * The Rev. W. H. Ash, pastor of our church, and teacher of our school at Florence, Alabama, died on the 13th of November. A protegé of Hon. A. C. Barstow, and a graduate of the Boston University, he began work for us at Mobile, Ala. He was then transferred to Florence, which was in need of such a man as he. Mr. Ash was married to Miss Sarah Hale, of Montgomery, an accomplished lady, who was his helpmeet, not only as a wife, but as a teacher in the school, which they had developed to the great delight of their people, and to the approbation of all the citizens. Mr. Ash, on behalf of the church and of the A. M. A., had built a tasteful church edifice which was also used for the school, and a parsonage. He had commanded the high appreciation of all the best people in the community. During his sickness, the Central South Association had its annual session in his church. His wife took his remains to Montgomery for burial. As writes the stricken companion: “It was only going home to receive the reward of the faithful servant.” * * * * * THE INDIANS. * * * * * STATEMENTS RESPECTING INDIANS AND THEIR NECESSITIES. BY GEN. S. C. ARMSTRONG. Besides the 59,000 Indians in the Indian Territory, there are about 200,000, of whom 55,000 are wholly supported by the government; 45,000 are partially maintained, and 100,000 receive little or no aid. They occupy 250,000 square miles of land, nine-tenths of it grazing land, the rest suitable for agriculture. The constantly increasing value of this domain from its mineral wealth and the building of railroads presses hard upon its thriftless occupants, who stand right in the line of progress, and must either change or perish. Meanwhile their source of subsistence, game, is disappearing, and, more and more, they will depend either on public charity or on stealing their food unless taught to take care of themselves.