Many wonderful missionary developments in our own country during this stirring period of national enlargement are recorded in the columns of this magazine. * * * * * THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY. VOL. LIV. JULY, 1900. NO. 3. * * * * * FINANCIAL. Nine Months, Ending June 30th. The receipts are $237,141.25, exclusive of Reserve Legacy Account, an increase of $24,922,63 compared with last year. There has been an increase of $15,751.36 in donations, $5,800.96 in estates, $852,26 in income and $2,518.05 in tuition. The expenditures are $249,148.75, an increase of $21,699.95 compared with last year. The debt showing June 30th, this year, is $12,007.50--last year at the same time $15,230.18. We appeal to churches, Sunday-schools, Christian Endeavor Societies, Woman's Missionary Societies and individuals, and also to executors of estates, to secure as large a sum as possible for remittance in July, August and September. The fiscal year closes September 30th. We hope to receive from all sources every possible dollar. The Association closed the year 1897-98 without debt, and the year 1898-99 without debt, and it earnestly desires to close this year, 1899-1900 without debt. * * * * * [Sidenote: Annual Meeting, Oct. 23d-25th.] The Fifty-fourth Annual Meeting of the American Missionary Association is to be held in Springfield, Mass., October 23d-25th. The Court Square Theatre has been secured, containing the largest auditorium in the city. A great gathering is anticipated. Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, D.D., will preach the sermon. Reports from the large and varied fields will be presented by missionaries. The fields now reach from Porto Rico to Alaska, and present various and interesting conditions of life. The great problems of national and missionary importance that are pressing themselves upon the attention of Christian patriots everywhere will be ably discussed. Contributing churches, local conferences and state associations are entitled to send delegates to this convention of the American Missionary Association. [Sidenote: A New Departure Program.] Santee Training School presented a unique and interesting program at the closing exercises, June 15th, 1900. "A New Departure Program for Closing of School" was the title upon the printed page. The program was divided into two parts. Part first was confined to history. The general subject presented in the papers was "The Development of Civilized Ways of Living." One of the Indian pupils read a paper on "First Ways of Getting Food and Clothing." Another on "First Dwellings." The future as well as the past in race development and elevation was considered. "Beginning to Provide for the Future" was the subject of another paper. "Clothing" was discussed in relation to its production and value.