The tardy appearance of this pamphlet is due partly to disappointment with regard to certain important contributions and partly to the pressure of duties which could not be made to give way. Perhaps hereafter an earlier publication can be arranged for, but it will be difficult to make any large gain in this respect, if the statistics collected the previous December are to be included, as it is hoped they will be.<br><br>The statistics in the Appendix were compiled by the Rev. D. S. Spencer and are reprinted from the October number of Tidings from Japan, the organ of the Methodist Episcopal Mission (North), with a few emendations furnished by Mr. Spencer. Next year it is expected that statistics will be collected under an arrangement between the Executive Committee of the Evangelical Alliance of Japan and the Standing Committee of Co-operating Christian Missions. The aim will be to secure greater uniformity in the methods employed by the different Christian bodies in collecting statistics, and perhaps also to include certain matters of interest which have not hitherto been brought together, such for example, as the publication work of the various Christian organisations in Japan.<br><br>The absence of any distinct mention of the medical missionary work in this pamphlet is a matter of sincere regret. This absence was not due to any failure to appreciate the value of this branch of missionary effort, - indeed it was thought that an article had been arranged for which should set it forth with adequate fulness. The omission was not discovered until too late to make it good.