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We have learned of the death of Mrs. Villa (Crumb) Borden at her home in Norwich, N.Y.  During her three years’ service in the work of this Association at Athens, Ala., she was untiring in efforts for the improvement of her pupils.  By her genial spirit, unselfish life and faithful labor in school, church, Sunday-School and the community, she greatly endeared herself to the people as well as to pupils and fellow teachers, who sincerely mourn her departure.

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A friend who reads the magazine and studies it minutely, sends us a postal containing these encouraging words: 

“A stimulating fact appeared in the MISSIONARY for April just received.  The summary of receipts October 1st, to February 28th, shows nearly $14,000 received for tuition in that time—­more than one-sixth of the donations.”

Our friends who are denying themselves, oftentimes, to aid in sustaining our work, will be cheered to know that the funds they contribute are not thrown into a slough and lost, but are touching mind and heart and industry, and thus stimulating the people whom we benefit to help themselves.

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In making up the catalogue of Fisk University for this year, the following facts are culled out: 

Total number of students, 505, which is a gain of thirty over last year, and last year the attendance was the largest the University had ever had.  Number of students in the Department of Music, 110; a gain of twenty over last year.  Special students in Theology, 9; a gain of six over the previous year.  There has been a gain of eight in the College Department, two in the Normal, and four in the College Preparatory.

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Mr. Coffin graduated from Fisk University in 1885, and has held important positions as a teacher ever since graduating.  He has also bought about $250 worth of books on one of the special courses of study established by the Illinois Wesleyan University, and so successfully complied with the requirements of the course that the result mentioned in the letter below has been reached.

     ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, Bloomington, Ill.

     Dear Sir.—­Mr. A.O.  Coffin has just been here for his final
     examination for his Ph.D., and desires me to report to you his
     performance.

This last work closes a series of about six examinations upon some thirty papers, requiring from three to five hours’ writing on each.  The examination held here was oral, before a committee of three of our faculty, and lasted nearly three hours.  Mr. Coffin was probed on all sides with everything that had a bearing on his course (Biology), both as to technical and general matters, and slipped but twice in the whole ordeal.  Our professors report to me that his previous written work was of the same high character.  Of