istor^ of Kadiak Orphanag^e Wood Island, Al a a It n j^j^j^j^j^i^j* I892-I9I2 Published by Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Societ}'. 2969 Vernon Ave. - Chicago Price 1 0 Cents THE PICNIC AT KADIAK WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE ORPHANAGE HISTORY OF KADIAK ORPHANAGE WOOD ISLAND, ALASKA BY MRS. JAMES McWHINNIE REVISED 1912 WOMAN'S AMERICAN BAPTIST HOME MISSION SOCIETY 2969 VERNON AVENUE, CHICAGO The Cry of the Alaskan Children By Rev. James McWhinnie, D. D. Tune: "Angel of Peace." Far from the islands of Behring's dark sea Comes the sad cry of the children to me, Wandering, homeless, friendless, forlorn. Lightens their darkness no ray of the morn; Lambs that the Lord came from Heaven to save. Hear their sad wailing borne over the wave: "Long is the darkness that over us lies, When shall the dawn of the morning arise? "Once we had plenty, the sea was our store; Seals and the walrus came thick to our shore; Now they are going,- we follow their fate. Haste, lest your aid be forever too late; Save our dark race from the grave of despair. Hear our entreaty, oh, answer our prayer! Low on the sand by the storm beaten graves. Kneeling we call to you over the waves. "Pity the orphans whose land they have soId> Fatherless, motherless, starving, and cold. Give to us only the crumbs you let fall. Help, in the name of the Father of all; Give to us, starving in body and soul. Pity our poverty, grant us your dole. Ye, whom our mines have enriched with their gold, Ye, whom our furs cover warm from the cold. "Out of our misery gather us in, Give us a refuge from suffering and sin, Lambs are we, lost from the Good Shepherd's fold, Gather us in from the rain and the cold. Tell us of Jesus, and teach us to pray. Tell us of Heaven, and show us the way; Then shall our song be heard over the waves, Blessing and glory to Jesus who saves." KADIAK ORPHANAGE WOOD ISLAND, ALASKA "Decently, at Harvard University, Lieutenant Peary, of -L V Arctic fame, gave an account of his seventh and last expedi- tion in search of the North Pole. By the aid of the stereopticon the desolation and terrors of an Arctic winter were vividly por- trayed. Lieutenant Peary's expedition was wisely planned, but the difficulties and dangers attending it were so stupendous that ■even with his great experience they could not be overcome. In closing he said, "Naturally three things suggest themselves to us: "First, can the North Pole be reached? Second, will it pay? Third, what would be the moral effect of the discovery?" To these questions he answered: "Under favorable circumstances I believe it could be accomplished. Its discovery would add immensely to scientific research, and the perseverance of the United States in planting its flag at the ends of the earth would win the approbation of the world." We recall another expedition, a successful one into the far North under the auspices of the Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Society, equipped for its work by the prayers and gifts of the women and children of New England, and commanded by a brave, a true leader, Rev. William E. Roscoe; an expedition under- taken not for scientific research, not for the approbation of the 4 KADI A K ORPHANAGE world, but to plant the banner of the Cross at the uttermost part of the earth, and to win the approbation of Him who said, " I have given to them a banner that it might be displayed because of the truth." It is sixteen years since the Kadiak Orphanage was established, ALASKA and it is fitting to recall the incidents by the way. Dr. Sheldon Jackson, United States Commissioner for Education in Alaska, had long sought to interest the Woman's American Baptist Home Mis- sion Society in missionary work in Alaska. Mr. Roscoe, as gov- ernment teacher, had spent six years at Kadiak, Alaska. He knew the people, and that their lives and religion were as cold and comfortless as the icebergs and glaciers of their native land. He KADI A K ORPHANAGE 5 had earnestly asked that they might be helped. He saw particu- larly the wretchedness and misery of the children. He realized that so strong were the bands of the Greek church about these people, that the older ones steeped in superstition would stubborn- ly refuse the gospel; but the children might be saved, and he be- sought Baptist Christians to build for them an Orphanage. To his appeal the American Baptist Home Mission Society said: "If the Baptists of the Pacific coast will pay one-half the expense of an Orphanage, the Home Mission Society will assume the other half." This was not done. The years passed. Our Woman's Society assumed the support of Mrs. Roscoe, and from her we heard of the great need of a Home. She wrote of the sin and suffering all over the North land, of the outrages committed on defenceless girls; she wrote as only a mother could, and asked that the children might be protected from the vices of our civiUzation. Her appeals touched the hearts of other mothers and children, and gifts of gold, frankincense and mjrrh came to our treasury for the building of an Orphanage. In December, 1891, the Board of Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Society voted to build an Orphanage on Wood Island, Alaska, to raise as soon as possible five thousand dollars for that purpose, and to ask the Sunday schools and Young People of New England to contribute for that object. The gift of Miss Martha Evans, of Jamaica Plain, Mass., of five thousand cards called Planks and Shingles, helped immensely in raising the amount. Each card represented one dollar, and our Young People vied with each other in disposing of them; while the Alaskan hymn, the sweet sad words of Dr. James McWhinnie, of Cambridge, Mass., who voiced his sympathy for the cause in song, gave aid and inspiration to the work. By July, 1892, four thousand dollars had been raised. 6 KADIAK ORPHANAGE An effort was made to purchase the lumber for a building, and its transportation to Alaska; to secure Mr. Roscoe's services to superintend the building of an Orphanage. By June, 1892, these plans had matured. Mr. L. C. Arthur, of Victoria, British Colum- bia, purchased the lumber in San Francisco, and chartered a schooner to convey it to Wood Island, Alaska. Mr. Roscoe could not himself go until the spring of 1893. At that time we had regu- lar communication with the island but four months in the year. It was expected that Mr. N. Faodorf, the government teacher at Karluk, would come to Kadiak and receive and store the lumber, awaiting Mr. Roscoe's arrival. In August we heard of the safe arrival of the schooner, but that Mr. Faodorf was not there, and had left the country. The government teacher of Kadiak, Mr. Solter, offered aid, and awaited instructions. These were immedi- ately sent by the last mail of the season. Then came days and nights of anxious waiting and of prayer. The first message that came was in mid-winter, when by a pass- ing vessel the Russian priest of Kadiak sent a communication to our Board, saying that we had lumber stored on Wood Island which we were not using; that the Russians were building an Orphanage, and had need of lumber; and they respectfully invited our coopera- tion with them by donating it, selling at moderate price, or any assistance we kindly might offer. We were glad to know the lumber was safe, but we did not wish to sell, and we respectfully declined. To us the letter emphasized the well known opposition of the priests to our work, and we waited anxiously for the spring. Mr. Roscoe reached the island May 9, 1893. He found the lumber safely stored at Kadiak. He took up six hundred and forty acres of land on Wood Island, across the bay from Kadiak, selected a site for a building, and commenced removing the lumber thither. KADIAK ORPHANAGE 7 The Greek priests determinedly opposed our work, Natives were commanded not to help Mr. Roscoe; were threatened with excommunication from the church if they aided him or placed a child in the Home, The North American Commercial Company, whose headquarters were on Wood Island, gave substantial aid, and with their assistance the building was so far advanced that Mr. Roscoe with his family moved into it in July, and July 4, 1893, the first child was received into its shelter. KADIAK, ALASKA In August Miss Carrie Currant was sent to the field. There was an epidemic of la grippe on the island; many of the natives had died. Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe and Miss Currant became very ill; the latter suffered severely, and in five months from her arrival Miss Currant was compelled to return home to her own and our great disappointment. She loved the work, and since her return, though a confirmed invalid, exerts a strong influence in all mission- ary work, In May, 1894, Miss Lou Goodchild, of Philadelphia, ; was appointed her successor. She reached the field in September, entered, heartily into the work, and remained in it until married; 8 KADI A K ORPHANAGE and after that as long as she was on the Island both herself and husband were strong friends and supporters of the Mission. The first eighteen months of the expedition tell of the obstacles overcome, the hindrances removed, of the difficulty in securing help, the falsehoods of the priests, and their efforts to intimidate and to imprison Mr. Roscoe. But the work went steadily on, made possible by the help of the Commercial Company. The building was completed, the land surveyed, and ground broken, day and Sunday school opened, children sick with loathsome dis- ease tenderly cared for — how tenderly only the Master knows. It was pioneer work. There were many discomforts. The build- ing was not properly warmed. Mrs. Roscoe wrote in midwinter: ' ' I have managed to keep a little hole thawed through the ice in the win- dow, but it has been hard work. I have not been warm since last October." Mr. Roscoe desired, because of the illness of his wife, to be released from the work as soon as the building was finished. It was no light task to find his successor, but the Lord directed us to Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Coe, both of whom had done efficient work among the Indians of Arizona. At our Seventeenth Annual Meeting, at Maiden, May 2, 1890, they were with us, under appointment to the field. Their presence was an inspiration; instinctively we trusted them, and they have never betrayed our trust. Mr. Roscoe welcomed them to the work the last of May, and then laid down the care. He closed his labors with the following message to the New England women : "Do not be discouraged; it will take time, prayer, and money, to insure success, but success will come. Do not falter; give the work your hearty support. As the years go by it will cost more and more; but the result will justify such expenditure. I count it the joy of my life to have been able to help." Mr. Coe found the foundations well laid, the work successfully KADI A K ORPHANAGE 9 under way. He also found Mr. Roscoe's words prophetic; there must be a greater expenditure of money, and more help must be immediately secured. Miss Hattie Snow, of Chicago, 111., was secured as teacher, and Sept. 3, 1 894, reached the Island. School had opened the day before but as the boat bringing Miss Snow came into the harbor, school was dismissed, and the United States flag raised in honor of her arrival. But help of another kind was needed. There must be farming implements — a horse, a plow, bam, a silo, and other outbuildings; as time passed these were added. In the summer of 1895 the North American Commercial Company offered land, labor and board of workmen for the building of a chapel. In the following spring this offer was renewed and accepted by our Board. One hundred and twenty-five dollars towards it was pledged by the natives on the island. July 26, 1896, a church was organized with five members. In September the ground was broken for a chapel, and in May, 1897, the chapel was open for service. After two years of hard work and prayerful loving service. Miss Snow was compelled by the advice of the physician to resign, and with a sad heart she left the work. In the years that have passed since then, we have often had a change of workers, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hill and Miss Deniston, who remained but two years; Mr. and Mrs. Forby were with us but one year. Mr. and Mrs. Hill had charge of the Mission while Mr. and Mrs. Coe were absent in the States. Mrs. Hill's knowl- edge of medicine was of great benefit. Some of the years Mr. and Mrs. Coe have been alone, with no help save the faithful Ofdotia, (the first girl to enter the Mission) , and no physician within eleven hundred miles. After three and one-half years of what he called the hardest and yet the most blessed work ever assumed, Mr. and Mrs. Coe came to the States. 10 KADI A K ORPHANAGE The month of January, 1898, he spent in New England, visiting our Circles. His visit gave a new impetus to the work. He urged very strongly a Dormitory for the boys. The time had come for enlargement in that direction. He returned to Alaska in May, 1898. It had been impossible to grant his request, but it had not gone unnoticed. The boys of Alaska appealed strongly to the loving heart of Mrs. E. M. B. Winch, of Boston, and the following season she gave the means for the new and commodious building known as the Winch Dormitory. Mrs. M. Campbell, a woman true as steel, and admirably fitted for the position of matron, which position she now holds, returned with Mr. Coe. From time to time improvements have been and are being made. The loom, the gift of Mrs. Kate Bailey, of Atlantic City, has brought many a bright strip of carpet into the Home. The knitting machine is kept busy providing socks for the children. The printing press, the gift of the Calvary Baptist Church of Washington, D. C, has helped send the monthly News Letter into hundreds of our homes. The fish industry has sur- passed our expectations, and given employment not only to our boys, but to the natives, and in some cases has kept the latter from hunger and death, while proceeds of the industry have helped to supply the Mission with food. Year by year more ground has been broken, until now we have eighteen acres under good cultivation. One who has traveled much in Alaska, and visited our Mission while Mr. Coe was in charge said: "Should you have an opportunity of visiting this Mission you would probably find Mr. Coe with his coat off, out with his boys, teaching them how to make a garden, raise vegetables, plant trees; or out in the fields cutting hay; or perhaps interesting them in the best method of salting or drying THE WINCH DORMITORY, THE "OXMOBILE." MRS. McWHINNIE IS STANDING BY VEHICLE KADIAK ORPHANAGE 13 fish. If there is a fence to make, house to paint, horse to break, cattle to care for, boats to build, or anything to be done out of school, Mr. Coe will be found teaching and encouraging the boys, and as he knows that all work and no play is a bad policy to follow, he enters heartily with them in their sports. The whole Mission presents a neat and business-like appearance, and reminds one of the East more than anything seen in Alaska. The cattle in the meadows, the horses at work pulling the plow or hauling hay, chickens about the stables, ducks and geese on the lake, remind one of the old farm back in the States." The United States Commissioner for Education, Dr. Sheldon Jackson, and his assistant, Mr. William Hamilton, have always been helpful friends of the Mission; while from the government teachers, Mr. Bunnel, Mr. Slifer, Miss Fulconer, Dr. Mills and wife, and Miss Hannah Breeze, we have received efficient aid. We must\)ear witness, also, to the fidelity and love of Ofdotia, the child of the Mission, to her loving tender care of the little ones, her helpfulness to the older ones, expressed in her own words: "I am everybody's child who needs my help." To the faithful Conrad, from whom we hoped so much, and whose death we so mourned. Pariscovia, whose life went out in blessing God for the love of those who led her to Christ. Mrs. Coe and Mrs. Campbell care not alone for the children in the Home, but for the natives as well. Every Christmas they prepare a gift for everyone on the Island, and they are invited to the entertainment at the church, where they receive it. Thus do they seek to lead them to the knowledge of the priceless gift — Jesus Christ. In a recent visit to Boston, Dr. Sheldon Jackson described the beauty of Wood Island, its location and agricultural resources, the strength of the Mission, the wisdom of its leader, and the good work accomplished. But we know it has not been easy work. Russian rule left a strong impress upon the Alaskans. They are in its power now. Our civilization makes them the prey of the 14 KADI A K ORPHANAGE shrewd trader and other unscrupulous persons, and all these influ- ences must be met and if possible overcome. The natives are adherents of the Russian Greek church. They cling to its customs, its festival and feast days. They are fanatical and idolatrous. Selfish and domineering priests would keep the Alaskans in ignorance, and compel them to do their bidding. In parish schools the children are taught from text books published under the supervision of holy censorship in Russia, intended to direct young minds to be loyal subjects of the Czar, and not adapted to create patriotic liberty loving citizens of our country. A native woman asked Mr. Coe to take a child into the Orphan- age. The child had nothing to eat and nothing to wear. Would Mr. Coe take him into the Home and care for him? He went to see the child; he was a fine boy, but his arm and leg were very sore, and he needed care. He had on an old cotton shirt, and black rags covered his sores. Mr. Coe promised to send clothing for the boy, saying he must be bathed and dressed, and he would then receive him. Of all the children he had seen this ons needed care the most. The clothes were sent, and the next day he went for the child, but the woman said she must see the priest first ere she let him go. The result was the child was not allowed to go, and was left to his misery and sufferings. There was no law in the land stronger than the will of the Russian priest. Even the Orphanage children feel their power. In 1903 the North American Commercial Company closed its business and left the island. This removed all industries from the island save those connected with the Orphanage, and left the natives without means of support. In the early history of the Mission this Company gave aid and encouragement, but later years by change in officials, it has not been as helpful. The religious services at the Orphanage, and the Sunday services never fail. RAPID TRANSIT IN ALASKA i6 KADI A K ORPHANAGE If it is too stormy on Sunday to reach the church, service is held at the Orphanage. The service of song in Russian for a time attracted many of the natives. While the natives seem indifferent to the Mission and its truths, they know that it stands for safety and protection as far as possible from all that is evil. A father, whose two children have been some time under our care, wished them to go to their home on a neighbor- ing island for a visit. They were preparing to go when the father sent word: "Keep the children; I don't want them to come home. The place is full of strange men; I cannot be home all of the time, and it is not safe for them to come, so keep them with you." A place of refuge, a house of safety, the Orphanage may well be called. During the year the sick and wounded from neighboring places have been brought to it that they might receive surgical aid and care, and sometimes Christian burial. In 1904 Miss Augusta Curtis and Mr. S. A. Coldwell were added to the corps of helpers — Miss Curtis as teacher, and Mr. Coldwell as assistant superintendent. In August, 1904, Mr. Coe and family left for the States, and Mr. Coldwell,. who reached Wood Island in June, assumed care of the work. From January 26th to March 30th, 1905, Mr. Coe was in New England speaking in our churches, and was present at our Annual Meeting at Maiden, May 4th and 5th. They returned to Alaska, reaching the island June 26th, 1905. Mr. Coe's mother and sister, Miss Edna Coe, returned with him. Miss Coe for a time was matron at the Orphanage, and later was appointed teacher in the primary department of the government school, and Miss Elizabeth Craumer, of Reading, Pa., became matron in her place. In 1907 the Orphanage met with a great loss in the death of Mrs. Ellen M. B. Winch. Her love, sympathy, counsel, and KADIAK ORPHANAGE ready help lightened and eased many a hard place. The Winch Dormitory stands a memorial of her love and care for homeless boys, and her gifts will continue to help the cause she so well loved. The Goes remained at the Mission until April, 1908, when the necessity for better educational advantages for his children com- pelled him to resign and to remove to McMinnville, Ore. Very reluctantly his resignation was accepted. For twelve years Mr. and Mrs. Coe had been our representatives, and had toiled unceas- ingly for the success of the Mission. They had been father and mother to all the boys and girls, and by life and precept had taught the children of Him who gave His Son to die for them, and that no form or belief in the Greek Church would avail — but only by faith in the Lord Jesus Ghrist could they be saved. We were fortunate in securing a successor to Mr. Goe, Rev. ■G. A. Learn, of Portland, Ore., a man well known on the Pacific coast. He with, his wife and child reached Wood Island June 22, 1908. He writes very favorably of the work, and hopefully for its future development. Mrs. Gampbell, after a short absence in the States, returned July, igo8, to the work. Our present workers are Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Learn, Mrs. M. G. Campbell, Miss EUzabeth Craumer. Mr. S. A. Coldwell, who has for five years been our faithful assistant superintendent, leaves the work in June of this present year. During all the years the support of the Orphanage has been almost entirely from the gifts of the Baptist women and children of New England. The Sunday schools of New England have been urged to contribute annually to its support, and have very generously responded. The union of our Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Society, with headquarters in Boston, with the Women's Baptist i8 KADI A K ORPHANAGE Home Mission Society of the West, with headquarters in Chicago, which took place April i, 1909, we believe will greatly enlarge the work in Alaska, and Sunday schools outside of New England will be asked to contribute annually for its support. It is the only Baptist the little Baptist Church; others are waiting baptism. The Wood Island Baptist Church sends its yearly contribution to our miS' sionary organizations. Some of the older boys, having served their time at the Or^ phanage, have gone out from the Mission to care for themselves, Some of the girls have gone out to service in Seward, Valdez, and Seattle. This leaves the Mission at present crippled for outdoor help, as the majority of the children in the Home at the present time are younger than in other years. Four of the girls, Ofdotia and Mary Brown, Sallie Chepedenoy, and Annie Lawson, have marked, and are in homes of their own. Ofdotia is specially missed; her faithful, loving service through all the years has been a joy and blessing to all. Some have entered into rest in hope of ^ blessed resurrection : ONE OF THE SMALL BOATS Mission in Alaska. Reg- ularly since May, 1897, has the bell on the little Baptist chapel called to Sunday service and Sun- day school. Week day prayer meetings are held, and morning and evening p'rayers are observed. Many of the children are Christians ; forty-six have been baptized and joined KADI A K ORPHANAGE 19 Over one hundred and fifty children have enjoyed the benefit of the Home since it was estabhshed. At present there are fifty-two children in the Orphanage. Sixteen years ago we had six hundred and forty acres of wild, uncultivated land, to-day a Mission plan with land, buildings, and improvements, including live stock, boats, provisions, and tools, valued at $18,000. To-day we have the Home, the Christian Church and the Greek Cross has been supplanted by the Cross of Calvary. Explorers and expeditions are usually equipped by their gov- ernments, by institutions, or by newspapers. Our expedition was for the most part equipped by our young people and Sunday schools, and we seek to secure its support largely from them. Eighteen years ago, by vote of our Board, this expedition was undertaken. It seemed formidable. There were those who prophesied failure, but our trust was in Him who said, "He shall ■ not fail nor be discouraged. " The way has sometimes been dark, but there have been many bright places also. Can we ever forget a Board meeting in the winter of 1891 and 1892, when we were planning money for the expedition, how our Treasurer was called from the room for a few moments, and returned with an envelope in which was a check for one thousand dollars, "a gift for the salvation of souls in Alaska"? We remember receiving a letter in the fall of 1893 from Dr. Sheldon Jackson, and our joy as we read of his visit to Wood Island, and of his surprise at finding the Orphanage completed, children in the Home, and the work so well under way. We rejoiced when the Woman's Home Missionary' Society, of Michigan, was so interested as to give us one hundred and fifty dollars towards its support; and we are grateful for their continued interest and generous aid. And when the oft repeated change in the workers have made us 20 KADI A K ORPHANAGE tremble for the success of the work, the always steady unfaltering tone of Mr. Coe's letters, as he said: "Do not worry; trusting in the Great Leader, we will hold on and do the best we can." We recall the gift of Mrs. E. M. Boomer, of Fall River, and that obtained through the efforts of Mrs. D. B. Faunce, of Provi- dence, that made the Fish Industry possible; the steady care of Mrs. Winch for the welfare of the boys, and the increasing interest of our Sunday schools and Young People in the Mission — and we say in thanksgiving, "the good hand of our God has been upon us." And what of the influence for good upon our Sunday schools as they have given boat for the Mission, and bell, lamps and com- munion service for the Church, and the care of the clothing during these years so thoughtfully looked after by Mrs. J. G. Gooch? She knows all the Orphanage children by name, age and size. The prayers that have gone with all these gifts are as sweet incense to Him who has watched over and cared for all. We were told Alaska was a barren, dreary country, uninviting and far away; but what changes have come over the land since we entered it ! No prophet told us it would be a goodly land, a land of gold and silver and precious stones, a land in the future of farms and homes, and various industries; that we were laying foundation for temporal and spiritual supplies that would help not only the natives but our own in the years to come. To us it seemed in many respects an uninteresting field, and the least inviting of all the mission fields in Alaska. A celebrated botanist was once searching in the mountains of North Carolina for a certain plant. Coming upon one of the natives, he asked if he was likely to find that particular plant in that neighborhood. The old mountaineer, leaning comfortably on the fence, thought a little, and then answered slowly: "Well, you THE FIRST SLEIGH-RIDE OF THE SEASON — KADIAK ORPHANAGE 22 KADIAK ORPHANAGE see, there's no knowin'. The place that is the most unHkeliest is often the likeliest of all." Such was Wood Island ten years ago. To-day it is the commercial center of Central Alaska. North and southeast are Cook's Inlet, and the Copper River District, dis- tricts rich in mines and in agricultural prospects. We hope in .'\LASKA ORPH.ANAGE time to make our Mission a base of supplies for these places. A good market can be found for the products of our Mission at Valdez What to do with our children, is partly solved by the fishing and farming industries. The question for us is : Shall the commercial center of Alaska be a Christian center? Will you sustain that which you have so carefully planned and God has so blessed? Said a recent writer: "One of the best and most wisely conducted missions in Alaska is the KADI A K ORPHANAGE 23 Kadiak Baptist Orphanage on Wood Island. There are older and much larger missions in Alaska, but considering its size, the number of workers, number of children cared for, and the amount of money invested yearly, there is no mission in Alaska doing more good for the native children. This is due to Mr. Coe's up-to-date methods, broad mindedness, his ability and resolution to do hard work, and for his wife's unselfish and sacrificing labors among the native people." We repeat Mr. Roscoe's words: "Do not falter; give the work your hearty support." No doubtful questions suggest themselves to us. Our expedition has been no failure. It has paid. The banner of the Cross has been planted in the uttermost part of the earth. We have won the approval, not of the world only, but of Him who holds the world in the hollow of His hand. The consolidation of the Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Society, to which Mrs. McWhinnie refers on page 17 of this volume, has become a fact, and by every possible means our Orphanage in Alaska has been brought before the Sunday schools in all our great territory and to the atten- tion of various missionary organizations in our denomination. Miss Fredricka Erginzinger has been added to the force of helpers as Girls Matron. The interest in our work in Alaska is deepening and with information regarding the needs comes additional stimulus to the work. The placing of a wireless station on Wood Island was a welcome innovation. It will not only enable our mission people to know when the steamers will be in but will put them in touch with the outside world. "It looks," wrote Mr. Learn, "as if the days were coming when Wood Island will be of more importance in the eyes of the world than a mere pin- point on the map." Rumors of various other improvements are current. We hope the "coming events" may soon be realized if they will contribute to the comfort of our missionaries and to the advancement of the cause of childhood in that land of marvelous resources and opportunities. THE STEAMER BERTHA