By an annual comparison we discover that the results of the work have not been all that its friends could wish, and also note such features of the work as indicate improvement and furnish encouragement.

The early population of this field, who loved the Bible and had a regard for the Sabbath, and who were the life and support of the cause, have largely given place to a population of foreigners, or a people of foreign-born parentage, who have little or no regard for the Bible or the Sabbath. Romanism holds under its priestly sway half a million of the people, while a quarter of a million are communicants at Lutheran altars, a few of whom only co-operate with us in our work.

A strange indifference is often manifest on the part of many, who, at least, from their ecclesiastical relations, should be ardent supporters of the Bible cause. Praiseworthy exceptions, however, are found both among pastors and people; yet it is sad that so many are without a due appreciation of the nature and extent of the work to be done.

Another serious hindrance to the work is found in the auxiliaries themselves. Most of them have no just appreciation of the work that the Parent Society expects of them and to which their constitution pledges them. In a majority of cases the work that has been done by the local societies is mostly due to the personal labors of the District Superintendent.

At the beginning of the fourth general canvass, a number of the local societies transferred their credit balance to the donation account, leaving them without a working capital; while some societies transferred their depository stock to the colporteurs, persuading themselves that all work in the future would be done by the Parent Society.

While we have deemed it proper to mention some of the discouraging aspects of the field, we have occasion to recall some of the encouraging features of the work. The financial condition of the auxiliaries has greatly improved, and with it they show an increased interest in local work. There is marked improvement in the condition of the depositories. Old and shelf-worn books have been freely donated, to be used at the discretion of the Superintendent on the frontier of the district where they were needed, and a larger and better assortment of books are now offered to the public. Churches long indifferent to the claims of the American Bible Society are coming forward with generous offerings. To further indicate the present hopeful condition of the field, all that we can do is to tabulate some of the results of the work that has been done.

The following is a brief summary of the personal labors of the Superintendent:

The following is the work that has been done by colporteurs at the expense of the Parent Society:

Four of the auxiliaries have had paid agents in the field, with the following results:

The volunteer work of the societies I find impossible to report, as no exact record was made in so many instances.

The work done by Welsh churches and Welsh Bible societies need only to be mentioned to be appreciated, as they never fail in making generous contributions.

One of the distinguishing features of the work during the year has been that of Sunday school supply. The aim has been from the start to have this work done, so far as possible, by the local societies. A number of the auxiliaries responded, and a number of the pastors gave hearty support to the work.

While it is not possible to furnish a complete report of what has been done, we have sufficient data to justify the statement that 165 Sunday schools have been supplied, whereby 3,500 children and youth have had placed in their hands a copy of the Bible. Eleven schools were supplied by the colporteurs of the Parent Society, and by them 84 children were made to possess the word of life.

To meet the demands of the field outside of the local societies by personal attention and through the generous aid of the Parent Society, 20 schools have been supplied, which resulted in placing the Bible in the hands of 714 children, by sale or by donation in part.

Books sent to Michigan, 13,859; of these, 382 were grants or consignments to colporteurs. Books sent to Wisconsin, 10,241; of these, 1,135 were grants or consignments to colporteurs.

WYOMING.-(See Nebraska.)

GENERAL VIEW OF OPERATIONS IN FOREIGN

COUNTRIES.

The last year brought no change in the location or the personnel of the Society's Agents in other countries, but for one reason and another unusual interruptions have occurred and insuperable obstacles have interfered with the success of their plans. An attack of nervous debility drove Mr. Loomis away from Japan in July, and he is only just now on his way back to Yokohama with renewed health and vigor. Family considerations brought Mr. Tucker home from Brazil in the autumn, and have kept him in this country until the present time. Mr. Penzotti needed a change of climate and surroundings after his long imprisonment in Callao, and he took the opportunity to visit Mr. Milne for consultation with him about new enterprises in the near future. Mr. Norwood's first year in Caracas brought to him and his family personal experiences of yellow fever, which, though fortunately not fatal, was protracted and enervating. The unsettled condition of political affairs in Venezuela, Brazil, the Argentine Republic, and Chili, has been exceedingly unfavorable for the sale and distribution of the Scriptures, and the riots and uprisings in China have caused a great reduction in the circulation usually reported there. The growing influence of foreigners in Persia has excited the jealousy of the people, and made them timid about buying the Scriptures. In Japan the adoption of new methods of colportage has been followed by a diminished circulation, and in the Levant Agency the results would have been much more satisfactory than they are, had not the Turkish authorities thrown constant impediments in the way. In no previous year have so many adverse influences been combined to the disadvantage of our work. The results are reflected in the reduced circulation reported in foreign lands, which were 434,240 last year, as against an average of 530,371 for the five years immediately preceding.

The relation of the Society to missionaries of various Boards is most intimate; and while their co-operation with the Bible Society is helpful in promoting the wider distribution of the Scriptures, their own enterprises gain vigor and permanence as a necessary result of having the Scriptures accessible to the schools and communities in the midst of which they labor. It has often been remarked that the Bible colporteur, going in advance of the preacher, has prepared the way for the gathering of a church; and among the direct results of the work of this Society, it is gratifying to note that missionaries have been sent during the past year to reside in Caracas and Lima, and gather up the fruits of the work begun by the Society's Agents in Venezuela and Peru.

The Society continues to be under obligations to Mr. George H. Prince, of St. Petersburg, for his deep interest in the wise expenditure of its appropriations for certain parts of the Russian empire.

Table of Foreign Distribution.

Number of Books. 76th Year. 75th Year. 74th Year. 73d Year.

72d Year. 71st Year.

sent abroad..... $24,258 36 $19,815 82 $16,320 48 $16,477 22 $12,745 40 $11,882 27

Cash Remittances

to foreign lande $150,308 68 $137,597 53 $147,132 40 $161,439 97 $143,570 58 $159,986 76

Cash Receipts

from foreign lands $37,702 72 $34,212 24 $38,626 50 $45,289 30

$39,707 05 $41,611 75

The following list gives the names of the Agents and Assistant Agents now serving the Society in foreign lands by appointment of the Board, whose whole time is devoted to its interests, with the dates of their appointment:

Besides these Agents, three hundred and twenty-three persons are reported as having been employed, for a longer or shorter time, in distributing the Scriptures in foreign lands, the average time of actual service during the year being somewhat more than eight months.

For the benefit of the Society's employees in foreign lands, and to encourage them in habits of frugality and forethought, it has been determined to make arrangements by which some part of their monthly stipend may, in case they so desire, be retained and invested for them at stated periods, until some emergency or their retirement from service shall call for the withdrawal of the investment with its accumulated interest.

For detailed particulars concerning the foreign field, reference is made to the special reports of the Society's correspondents.

CUBA AND THE WEST INDIES.

To various correspondents of the Society in the Bermudas, Bahamas, Hayti, and San Domingo, there have been sent 224 volumes, and to Cuba, 2,013 volumes. In the latter island Mr. McKim has continued steadily at work with varying success and with numerous difficulties,