"We come to you as we have gone to all other parts of our beloved land--as messengers of the gospel of Jesus Christ our Saviour. We have come as brethren in Christ, as joint-members of that spiritual body of which He is the head, to preach and teach among you, and thus in mutual helpfulness to build up the Kingdom of our common Lord and to answer His prayer 'that they all may be one,' and that His will may 'be done in earth as it is in heaven.' "We are agreed in the great truths of our holy religion, and we will work together that they may produce in this historic island all the choicest fruits of Christian life and culture. We would teach the children the way of eternal life, and bring to the men and women--full of cares and burdens--the rest and comfort and hope that come through faith in the Saviour. And so shall they and we all be brethren and sisters in Christ. "These are the common purposes that bring us hither. In the name of our common Master we pray you give us and our preachers welcome, and join your labors with ours that this island, so charming in its natural features, may more and more have the beauty of a pure and purifying religion. Then happy will be your homes and happy your people--as Holy Scriptures declare, 'Happy is that people whose God is the Lord.' Education will brighten the lives of the children; Christian morality will stand guard in every community against sin, and the peace which Christ promised to His people will rest upon us and ours. "Praying for God's richest blessings upon you, beloved people of Porto Rico, and asking your co-operation with us, we are Yours in Gospel of Jesus Christ, (Signed) C. L. THOMPSON, T. J. MORGAN, W. H. WARD." * * * * * PIONEERS IN PORTO RICO. SECRETARY CHARLES. J. RYDER. The opening of this new island territory for the Christian schools and the evangelistic work of the American Missionary Association is of great interest. Many questions are naturally asked by those who are in sympathetic touch with this new and important movement. _Who have gone to this field? Where have they gone and what fields are opening? Why have they gone?_ These questions present themselves to the attention of those who have watched with great interest the opening of this island to an intelligent and progressive Christian influence. Let us answer these questions in this article. [Illustration: A SHACK--A PEASANT'S RESIDENCE.] First, who have gone in this pioneer band of missionaries to Porto Rico?