OUR BOSTON ANNIVERSARY.
It will be remembered by our readers that during the last week in May the six co-operative Societies sustained largely by the Congregationalists, hold anniversary meetings in Boston. This year the meetings were held on Wednesday, the 25th. The day was bright and breezy, and the congregations throughout were larger than usual. The meeting of the American Missionary Association closed the morning session.
A report was made by Secretary Woodworth, reviewing, in brief, the several branches of the work carried on by the Association during the past nineteen years. Mr. Woodworth’s address was replete with facts and statistics, giving a comprehensive view of the importance, success and necessities of the Association.
Rev. J. F. Lovering, of Worcester, was the first speaker. During his address he mentioned the fact that a negro family of his acquaintance, in Massachusetts, found it difficult to rent a house on account of their color, and argued that if there be such prejudices still at the North, we ought not to be surprised if they yet exist at the South. He related several instances coming under his observation during the war, showing the religious nature of the colored people and their love for knowledge, closing his address with a graphic description of a company of colored women and children singing songs of thanksgiving to troops returning from the war.
Hon. J. J. H. Gregory, of Marblehead, was the next speaker. He urged the work of saving the Freedmen as a duty upon us from a common-sense and statesmanlike view, as well as from a religious consideration. He said: “They will never vote safely until they vote intelligently. They will always be at the mercy of others until they can think for themselves. They are not like the Mexicans, who have not changed for a century, but they are eager for knowledge, plastic, and have already made astonishing advances. They spend their money freely, and if educated will like their homes tasteful and attractive. In so low a view as the commercial one, we should be deeply interested for these people. There are only about twenty-five colored lawyers and a hundred doctors among them. In the time of the yellow fever, one of the latter remained through it all and cared for the people. When his work was over, a large company of white citizens gratefully followed him to the depot with a band of music, showing that color is forgotten when there is ability and power.”
Mr. Gregory is now building a mission home and remodeling the school-house at Wilmington, N.C., at an expense of about $8,000. These buildings are in close proximity to the new church edifice also built by him, an account of which was given in the American Missionary for May.