1. Rev. Henry Stout, of Nagasaki, JapanThe Unique Characteristics of the Missionary Work in Japan.

2. Rev. Cyrus Hamlin, D.D., formerly of Constantinople-Fifty Years of Missionary Education in Turkey.

3. Rev. Leonard W. Kip, D.D., of Amoy, China-A Heathen Stronghold.

4. Rev. E. M. Wherry, D.D., of Saharanpoor, India-The Religion of Islam.

5. Rev. F. F. Ellinwood, D.D., Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church-The Undesigned Testimony of False Religions to the True.

6. Rev. John H. Wyckoff, of the Arcot Mission -Brahmanism and Christianity.

In their report made to the Board of Superintendents, May 20th, 1889, the Faculty said: "These lectures were able and instructive, and the impression made was so salutary that we earnestly hope that the thought so generously conceived by Elder Graves will be matured in permanency, and that hereafter our students may be able every year to receive instruction from men of wisdom and experience in this great subject. The thanks of the Seminary and of the Church are due to the Elder whose heart, in its deep sympathy with Christian effort in evangelizing the world, has projected the scheme, and inclines him to provide liberally for its accomplishment."

Mr. Graves being satisfied with the experiment, very promptly and cordially expressed his wish and readiness to provide for a course of lectures for the year 1889-90, and also for one for the year following, so that the lecturer might have two years for preparation. He has since made provision for the future, including the year 1892-93.

The second course was delivered in the winter of 1890 by the Rev. John Hall, D.D., LL.D., of New York City, embracing lectures on the following subjects:

1. The Bible Basis of Missions.

2. The Missions of the Early Centuries of Christianity.

3. Missions Previous to the Reformation.

4. Missions and the Reformation.

5. Missions from the Reformation to the 19th Century.

6. Modern Missions, their Difficulties and Encouragements.

The Faculty, deeming it to be right and wise that the Christian public should have the benefit of these lectures, and that ample opportunity should be afforded for the attendance of the largest number, obtained from the Consistory of the Second Reformed Church the use of their house of worship for the purpose. The spacious building was crowded every evening with attentive listeners.

The third course, by Rev. Arthur T. Pierson, D.D., comprising the lectures contained in this vol

ume, was delivered in the winter of 1891,* in the First Reformed Church, which was kindly granted for the purpose. The lectures were heard by large congregations with increasing interest to the end of the course.

At the close the following resolutions, offered by Rev. Prof. T. Sandford Doolittle, D.D., of Rutgers College, were heartily and unanimously adopted by the large audience present:

Resolved.-1. That our hearty thanks are due to Rev. Arthur T. Pierson, D.D., for the zeal and efficiency with which he has presented so much valuable information in regard to the mission field and the claims of the Master upon us to act as missionaries in spirit, if not in person.

2. That thanks are due also to the Faculty of the Theological Seminary for not limiting these lectures to their class-rooms, but for making them public in one of the churches of the city, so that the people of various denominations are allowed the privilege of hearing them.

3. That we take a special pleasure in exhibiting a grateful recognition of the wise and noble generosity of Mr. N. F. Graves in establishing this annual course of lectures for enlarging the knowledge and intensifying the interest in Christian missions.

While the students of the Seminary for whom these lectures were especially intended have derived inestimable benefit from them, it is gratifying to know that many Christian people of all denominations have been sharers in the benefit. It is believed that announcements of future courses

* In January and February.

will be received with great satisfaction by the Christian public. It is hoped that they may prove to be a great stimulus to missionary zeal, be promotive of unity in Christian faith and work; and of intelligent and untiring service in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be all the glory. D. D. DEMAREST.

AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION.

T was a wise maxim of Cicero, that, in the opening of an address, the speaker

and his audience should come to a mutual understanding. Let the author thus early acquaint his readers with the supreme aim which has controlled his utterances.

In the preparation of these lectures two paths lay open before the lecturer. He might, acting as an annalist, trace that march of missions, which is the marvel, if not the miracle, of this modern age; or, like the historian, he might seek to examine into those fundamental laws and philo. sophical principles which are the keys of history. In the Books of the Kings, for example, we have the historical annals of the Kingdom; in the Books of the Chronicles, the ethical survey of the Theocracy: in one case a simple record of events; in the other, a lesson on the faithfulness or faithlessness of the kings toward the King of Kings, with the rewards and retributions consequent upon such opposite courses.

I have chosen, as the theme, The Divine Enter