It is a significant fact that the last national census showed that the white illiteracy of the South was deeper than even the foreign illiteracy of the North; while that of the Southern black population was fearfully darker. Both public and private efforts are being made in countless communities of the South to begin the lifting of this great burden. Some of the States have already taken encouraging measures in this direction. While there are reactions, the general tide is that of progress. It is easy to make too much of the violent reactionary outcries of a few Southern newspapers. It must be remembered that these shrill expostulations against progress are comparatively isolated and do not represent the general and deliberate sense of the intelligent South. The day has come when intelligent leaders, North and South, can unite their efforts and push forward the work of popular upliftment throughout the South. The lesson of the hour is not that of impatience and denunciation, but of mutual sympathy and co-operation. The hopeful progress of the past is a presage to the magnificent progress assured to the immediate future. No more timely words have been spoken than those of a Southern philanthropist when he said: "The Negro must be educated. It is absolutely necessary to both races that his education go on. In our extremity we look to wise and just people in the Northern States to help us to help both races." F. P. W. * * * * * GREETINGS TO PORTO RICANS. At a meeting of the representatives of the different benevolent societies of our Protestant denominations who are entering upon mission work in Porto Rico a committee was appointed to draw up a paper containing a greeting to these people. The paper was to be published in Spanish and English. The copies in English were to go especially to the missionaries to be scattered among English-speaking people. The Spanish translation was intended for the native Porto Ricans. This paper was signed by representatives of different denominations as will be seen. This broad, comprehensive and loving message from the Christians of America to the people of Porto Rico, who are now a part of our own country, must meet the approval of all those interested in the progress of the Kingdom of God rather than some narrow denominational victory. This greeting to the Porto Ricans is as follows: "We rejoice that your beautiful island has become part of the United States. We take you by the hand as fellow-citizens of this Republic. We pray that you may share fully with us in all the blessings it has to give. We have come among you to show our interest in and our sympathy with you, and to do what we can to help you and your children toward the larger life that is possible to us all.