The Association was called to order by Vice-President Noble. "Saviour, visit thy plantation," was sung, after which Dr. Noble conducted the devotional exercises for a half hour.
A paper on "The Future of the Negro in our Country," was read by Rev. C.H. Richards, D.D., of Wisconsin, and referred to the Executive Committee with power to publish.
Rev. C.F. Thwing, D.D., unable to be present as announced, forwarded his address for the use of the Secretaries of the Association.
Rev. A.P. Foster, D.D., presented the report of the Committee on the Indian Work.
Addresses were then made by Rev. T.L. Riggs, of Oahe, and Rev. C.W. Shelton, Financial Secretary for Indian Missions.
After singing, "Sow in the morn thy seed," the Association was addressed by Rev. W.B. Wright, D.D., on the Educational Work, presenting the report of the committee and speaking in its behalf. Rev. F.P. Woodbury, D.D., spoke also on the same topic.
After announcements, Dr. Noble pronounced the benediction, and the Association took a recess until 7:30 P.M.
The Association was called to order by Secretary Strieby, who invited E.W. Blatchford, Esq., of Illinois, to preside during the evening in the absence of President Taylor. Professor G.B. Willcox led the Association in prayer.
On being introduced by Secretary Strieby as representing the American Board, Mr. Blatchford said:
"I have no authority from the American Board to convey to you any special message; and yet I know that they will be glad to have me express to you their sentiments of sympathy with you in your work. The work is one. In carrying forward the work of the American Board and the American Missionary Association we are obeying the same command of our Lord: Go ye into all the world and disciple all. We are inspired by the same prophetic promises, that the time will come when this world shall obey the command of God as it is obeyed in heaven. In fact, this gathering is in itself a type of the unity of this work; for as I look around me I see brethren and sisters representing the different societies in which we are all interested. I see them here from the New West Commission; I see the workers and representatives of our Home Missionary Society; I see, of course, many representatives of the American Missionary Association, and those deeply interested in the work of our American Board. So that we have here in this very meeting an illustration of these words of the Apostle: 'One Lord, one faith, one baptism.'"
Mrs. J.J.M. Angear, in charge of a Chinese Sunday-school in the First Congregational Church, Chicago, spoke of her work, her Chinese choir singing "Stand up for Jesus," and later a verse of "Sweet By and By," in both English and Chinese.
Representative addresses then followed, Mr. Chin Kue speaking for the Chinese, Mrs. Elizabeth Winyan for the Indians, Rev. T.L. Riggs interpreting, and Rev. Mr. McClellan for the Negro. A verse of "Shall we whose souls are lighted," was sung, after which Rev. W.E. Barton spoke of the Mountain Whites.
President Eaton's paper was deferred, owing to the lateness of the hour.
After Secretary Strieby had led the Association in prayer and pronounced the benediction, recess was taken until Thursday morning at 8:30 A.M.
Devotional exercises from 8:30 to 9 o'clock were conducted by Rev. E.S. Hill. Vice-President Noble called the Association to order.
The minutes of the previous day were read and approved.
A letter to Secretary Strieby from Col. J.M. Keating, of Tennessee, on the "Southern Problem," was read by Secretary J.E. Roy. A rising vote was taken, expressing approval of the sentiments of the letter and requesting the Association to publish it. Dr. F.A. Noble was instructed to correspond with Col. Keating, assuring him of the Association's appreciation of his address.
The report on the "Mountain Work," was presented by Rev. D.M. Fisk, D.D., who followed it by an address.
District Secretary C.J. Ryder read a paper on "The Debt of our Country to the American Highlanders."
"My Country 'tis of Thee," was then sung, after which Secretary Ryder's paper was referred to the Executive Committee of the Association with reference to publication.
President Taylor resumed the chair at this point and introduced Rev. H.M. Tenney, D.D., who read the report of the committee on Secretary A.F. Beard's paper. The report was accepted and referred to the Executive Committee.
An address on the Church Work was made by Rev. C.W. Hiatt, District Secretary of the Association, and was followed by several brief addresses on the Mountain Work.
The report and an address was then made by Rev. Graham Taylor, D.D. The report was accepted and its recommendations adopted.
After announcements, Dr. Noble was instructed to reply to Dr. Arthur Little, of Massachusetts, in response to his telegram of greeting. After the benediction by President Taylor, recess was taken until 2 o'clock P.M.
The Association was called to order by Vice-President Dr. F.A. Noble. A verse of the hymn, "In the cross of Christ I glory," was sung. F.J. Lamb, Esq., read the report of the Committee on Finance, supplementing the report with a brief address. The report was accepted.
The report on Secretary Strieby's paper was presented by Prof. G.B. Willcox, D.D. The report was accepted and referred to the Executive Committee.
Following this, Secretary Strieby made a statement respecting the Hand Fund. Dr. E.P. Goodwin, President Salisbury and President W.M. Taylor spoke on the Financial Report, and the report was adopted.
The Association then adjourned to the chapel, and the church was occupied by the Woman's Missionary Meeting under the auspices of the Woman's Bureau of the Association. Mrs. George M. Lane, of Detroit, Michigan, presided. The report was made by the Secretary, Miss D.E. Emerson, after which addresses were made by the missionaries: On the mountain work, by Miss Hayes, of Tennessee; on the colored people, by Mrs. Shaw, of Georgia, and Miss Plant, of Mississippi; and on the Indians, by Miss Barnaby, a native teacher.
The Nominating Committee reported the following list of officers for the ensuing year:
President,
REV. WM. M. TAYLOR, D.D., LL.D., N.Y.
Vice-Presidents,
REV. A.J.F. BEHRENDS, D.D., N.Y.
REV. F.A. NOBLE, D.D., Ill.
REV. ALEX. McKENZIE, D.D., Mass.
REV. D.O. MEARS, D.D., Mass
REV. HENRY HOPKINS, D.D., Mo.
Corresponding Secretaries,
REV. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.
REV. A.F. BEARD, D.D., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.
Recording Secretary,
REV. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.
Treasurer,
H.W. HUBBARD, Esq., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.
Auditors,
PETER McCARTEE,
CHAS. P. PEIRCE.
Executive Committee,
For Three Years.
S.B. HALLIDAY,
SAMUEL HOLMES,
SAMUEL S. MARPLES,
CHARLES L. MEAD,
ELBERT B. MONROE.
For One Year.—ALBERT J. LYMAN.
A ballot was taken and the brethren named were elected. After the benediction by the President, recess was taken until 7:30 P.M.
The Association was called to order by President Taylor. "Stand up, stand up for Jesus," was sung, after which Rev. Simeon Gilbert, D.D., led in prayer.
The