Society an increasing number of Christian helpers for the local
service of our various Missions. No exact account of them was taken
for several years. But from the complete returns recently gathered,
it appears that at the present time they are more than twelve hundred
in number.

The Christian Assistants not engaged in schools are divided into
several classes. Some are READERS, who go from house to house, and
explain the Word to families or individuals. Others are preachers
of greater or less education, and are more or less trusted, either
to work alone, or in company with more experienced brethren. In India
and China, these brethren are usually termed CATECHISTS, though in
the South Seas the missionaries have retained the title of NATIVE
TEACHERS. One class among them, of higher character and education,
in whom great trust is reposed, are termed in India EVANGELISTS.
These brethren frequently occupy stations by themselves, or are
immediate and trusted assistants of the missionaries. Several of the
excellent preachers in China belong to this rank; as also others in
the South Sea Islands and in Madagascar.

It has from the first been a settled rule with the Society's
missionaries that catechists and preachers should be men of known
and proved piety; and that all candidates for theological classes
shall be members of the church. The Directors believe that it is
largely owing to the observance of this sound rule that the Missions
have received a great blessing from above, and have been built up
on a solid basis. It is the effect of this blessing, and a result
of the development of the churches, that a steady improvement has
taken place in the general character and fitness of Native Agents.
And not the least benefit is that at length it is giving rise to the