We are greatly cheered by this increase in donations. We appreciate the cordial response of the churches, Sunday-schools, Endeavor Societies and individuals to the necessities of this great work. We call especial attention to the efforts which are being made to increase the gifts of this Association for the current year thirty-three and one-third per cent. This is the amount of increase which the Council Committee of Fifteen have asked from the churches. The large work demands at least this per cent. of addition to the gifts for the current year. Will not each individual church and Sunday-school see that their contribution for this year is at least a third larger than for the former year? In addition to this amount needed for the work which has been established in other years, the claims of Porto Rico are pressing. Ten thousand dollars was a very conservative estimate of the amount that was needed at once in this new island territory. The churches, and especially the Sunday schools, have responded generously in bringing up the gifts to about half this amount. There is imperative need immediately for the full amount, properly and energetically to press the work in Porto Rico along the lines of Christian education and evangelization. * * * * * FRESH LEAFLETS FOR 1900. "Annual Statistical Leaflet." "Annual Report, 1899." "Universal Brotherhood Through Christ," Sermon by Rev. C. H. Patton, D.D. "Michael E. Strieby," (illustrated) Sec. J. E. Roy, D.D. "The Hand of God or Failure," Rev. H. A. Stimson, D.D. "By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them," Rev. C. E. Jefferson, D.D. "What Has Been Done for the Indians," Rev. J. R. Nichols, D.D. "The Evangelical Side of Missionary Work," Rev. Sydney Strong, D.D. "Why and How?" Rev. Gerald H. Beard, Ph.D. "The Americans in the Southern Mountains," Rev. Archibald Hadden. "The Story of Three Million Highlanders," Rev. M. N. Sumner. "In the Cypress Swamps," (illustrated) Miss C. F. Knowlton. "Difficult Problems with Pleasing Results," Prof. J. L. Wiley. "Our Churches a Necessity to the South," Rev. George V. Clark. "Fisk University," (illustrated) Prof. J. G. Merrill, D.D. "Pioneers in Porto Rico," (illustrated) Sec. C. J. Ryder. "Christian Endeavorers Among the Indians," Prof. F. B. Riggs. "People Passed By," (reprint) by a Missionary. "The Debt of Our Country," (reprint, illustrated) Sec. C. J. Ryder. "Arctic Alaska," Mr. W. T. Lopp. "Christian Endeavorers and the A. M. A.," Rev. Francis E. Clark, D.D. "Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians," (illustrated) Rev. W. M. Wellman. These leaflets may be had for personal use and distribution on application to this office. * * * * * THE PROGRESSIVE SOUTH.