o the 'American
Missionary Association,' incorporated by act of the Legislature of the
State of New York." The will should be attested by three witnesses.

* * * * *

THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY

Vol. L. SEPTEMBER, 1896. No. 9.

* * * * *

THE JUBILEE MEETING.

The semi-centennial of the American Missionary Association will be
celebrated in Boston, October 20-22, opening at three o'clock Tuesday
afternoon. A great and inspiring convocation is anticipated. Speakers
of national reputation have been secured. A large and interesting
industrial exhibit will be opened. Representatives from our mission
fields and a new band of Jubilee Singers will be heard throughout the
meetings.

Directions as to membership and correspondence will be found on the
last page of the cover. Fuller details as to the entertainment of
delegates, reduced rates at hotels and in traveling fares, will be
given in due time through the religious press.

* * * * *

UP TO DATE.

For the first ten months of our current fiscal year our expenditures
have been $53,000 less than for the corresponding ten months three
years ago. They are $37,000 less than for the first ten months of the
next year. They are $13,000 less than last year. These facts indicate
the severity of our retrenchments.

We have most earnestly hoped for such a large increase of benefactions
as would greatly reduce our debts. Up to this time our receipts are
nearly $25,000 greater than at this date last year, but they are
$11,000 less than at this time year before last. That year closed with
a debt on its operations of $66,000, and last year with an additional
debt of $30,000. Thus far this year we have not only saved ourselves
from debt, but have gained $8,000 on the debts of the previous two
years.

This is a favorable difference of $38,000 between our financial
standing now and that at this date last year. This advance has been
made possible only by the sympathetic and generous responses from many
givers and churches which have cheered the presentation of our work.
Very many others have promised future aid which will lift the burden.
But, for the time being, we have had to maintain our standing chiefly
by making continued reductions of expenditures. This has been a
difficult and sorrowful task. In answer to numberless appeals in
behalf of the ignorant and suffering, we have had to exp