The survey proposed cannot deal with personalities, but that does not invalidate the importance of the information asked for.  Such forms received from many different stations would certainly throw light on the serious question of reinforcement.  It is of course obvious that reinforcements could not be allotted rightly on such slight evidence as the proportion of missionaries to the population of a district.  The question is not whether reinforcements could be allotted on this factor alone; but whether they could be allotted rightly in ignorance of it.  Taken in conjunction with the preceding and following tables, this table would reveal something that we may call need in a purely quantitative expression, and comparative need should certainly influence the allotment of reinforcements.  Though the statement of need in this table is indeed utterly insufficient by itself, it is nevertheless true that no statement of comparative need which ignored the proportions here set out would be satisfactory.  This quantitative expression is not sufficient; but no statement is sufficient without it, and, as often, so here, it is the proportion rather than the actual figures which make comparison possible:—­

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|        |   Total     |Proportion |Proportion | Remarks
District.|Popula- |  Foreign    |    to     | of Women  |   and
| tion.  |Missionaries.|Population.|   to      |Conclusions.
|        |             |           |Population.|
---------|--------|-------------|-----------|-----------|---

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|        |             |           |           |
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We turn now to the permanent Christian force in the district.  We want to know what is the force.  We ask, therefore, that the total Christian constituency may be accepted as the first expression of the native force.  The progress of the Gospel is most seriously affected by the whole number of those who in any sense call themselves Christians.  They are the force in the place which influences the heathen for or against it.  It is of the utmost importance that they should be reckoned first, and treated first, as the force which above all others works slowly, quietly, imperceptibly, but mightily.  The whole body of those who profess and call themselves Christians should be put in the very first place.

Then the communicants (or full members) are commonly the body to which all turn for voluntary zealous effort.  The communicants are the strength of the Church.  We compare them next with the work to be done.  Then the paid workers.  Then the voluntary unpaid workers, recognised as such.