A peculiar and very interesting feature of our Indian work is the out-stations, located remote from the Central Stations.  These stations, numbering twenty-one, have been hindered and also enlarged during the past year.  The hindrance came from the interference of the Government.  In its well-intended zeal for the introduction of the English language, it surpassed the limits which experience had fixed, by requiring that the vernacular should not be taught, nor even spoken, in any Indian schools on the Reservation including these mission stations, which were wholly sustained by benevolent funds.  Under this ruling, thirteen stations were closed from September to January.  But the remonstrances coming from almost every denomination of Christians in the land induced the Government to modify its orders, and the schools have all been re-opened.

Some new buildings have been erected on this part of the field—­a new house for dwelling and school on the Grand River, and a cheap structure at the Cheyenne River Agency, in which religious services are held at the times for the disbursement of the rations, when large numbers of the Indians assemble and remain for many days.  A new impulse has been given to this out-station work by contributions received at one of the missionary meetings in Northfield, Mass.  Four new stations were provided for at that time by the contribution of $400 for a building at each station, and $300 for the support of the teacher.  One was the gift of Mr. Moody, another of Mr. Sankey, whose names these two stations will bear.

Fort Berthold, in the northern part of Dakota, has authorization from the Government for a larger number of pupils under contract than last year.  But our exigencies require for this only a few and inexpensive repairs and additions to be made on the buildings.

The Skokomish mission continues its stable progress.  The missionary, Rev. Myron Eells, has been tempted during the past year by several calls to enter more lucrative fields of service, but his attachment to the work, begun by his most honored father, and continued by himself, is so great that he prefers to remain with his people, and to aid them in their progress in civil and Christian life.

The Indian school at Santa Fe, New Mexico, has had some changes, but the arrangement between the Association and the trustees is continued, and the school, under the charge of Prof.  Elmore Chase, maintains its useful service in the training of the children of the Apaches, one of the most hopeful and promising tribes of Indians on the continent.

 THE CHINESE.

The special interest of the year centres in the evangelistic work that was commenced early in the winter.  Of our 39 workers reported, fourteen are Chinamen, who have been converted in our schools.  Two of these brethren were set apart last December as special evangelists, one going to our missions in Southern California, and the other to our more Northern missions.  Subsequently another one entered the field.  The intention was to give one month of service at each mission, and the gratifying experience has been that at no point has this one month been deemed sufficient.  At the end of five months the harvest reported was forty souls brought to repentance.