—Revs. Geo. W. Wood and A. L. Riggs, missionaries among the Dakotas, have, during the past year, put through the press a new edition of Dakota hymns. Mrs. Wood has also prepared a new Dakota dictionary, which is soon to be published. There are now 190 communicants in three churches, under the supervision of the Presbyterians among these Indians, seven new members being admitted the past year.
The Chinese.
—The Chinese University at Pekin, under the presidency of Dr. W. A. P. Martin, numbers 100 students.
—A Chinese mandarin, on reading a translation of Matthew’s Gospel, says: “Its style is perfect. It is quite as good as that of Confucius himself. And as to these New Testament ideas, there is nothing so beautiful in all Chinese literature. The humanity of the Sermon on the Mount I am perfectly fascinated with. Our sages became gods after they had written our reverend classics; but divinity must have come before the writing of these matchless thoughts, these exquisite sentiments!”
—During 1879 there were imported into China from India, under monopoly of the British Government, 11,073,333 pounds of opium, of the market value of $50,700,000. Allowing for the amount consumed in Hong Kong, or re-exported thence to the Chinese in California, Australia and elsewhere, the total importation was not less than 13,995,000 pounds. No other article of importation or exportation equaled this in magnitude or value. The value of imported cotton goods was only $31,400,000; of woolen goods, $7,000,000; metals, $5,700,000; and all other articles together less than $20,000,000. Even the tea exports amounted to less, not exceeding $46,000,000. Silk exports were valued at $40,000,000, and all other articles combined at $11,200,000.—Foreign Missionary.
—The following words from Kobe and Okayama, Japan, are very cheering. They have all the added force that always accompanies letters bearing liberal gifts:
"May God abundantly bless your work, whether among the Freedmen or among their kin in their native Africa, as well as among the Indians and the Chinese. Your Society has a grand field before it, and I hope it will be able ere long to lay a mighty hand for healing upon Africa and another upon China.
"Ever truly in fellowship,
R. Henry Davis,
“Miss. Am. Board.”