By vote of the Association, the report of the committee on the Indians was taken from the table, and discussed by President Tobey.
By invitation, Rev. Dr. Rust, Corresponding Secretary of the Freedmen’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, addressed the Association.
District-Secretary Powell extended an invitation from the Congregational Churches of Chicago to the Association, to hold the next Annual Meeting in Chicago. The Association voted to recommend to the Executive Committee that, if deemed expedient by them, the invitation be accepted.
The Secretary then read the minutes, which were adopted.
After the Benediction by Rev. Stephen M. Newman, the Association adjourned to meet at 7.30 P. M.
Thursday Evening.
An audience filling the church assembled at 7.30 o’clock. The services opened with a voluntary by the choir. Prayer was offered by Rev. Jonathan Edwards, of Grantville, Mass. The hymn “Great God of nations” was then sung by the choir and congregation. Secretary Strieby, then read a paper on “The Work of Half a Generation among the Freedmen.” The hymn, “The morning light is breaking” was sung. An address by Rev. Dr. Hartranft, of Hartford, followed. The hymn “My country, ’tis of thee” was sung. An address was then made by Rev. Albert H. Plumb, of Boston. The following vote of thanks to the churches of Taunton, for their reception of the Association, as proposed by Secretary Woodworth, was unanimously passed:
The American Missionary Association renders hearty thanks to the Congregational churches of this city, for the invitation to hold its Thirty-second Anniversary in Taunton. Especially to the Broadway church, for the use of its house of worship for the different sessions of the meeting, and of its chapel and parlors for the Committees and friends in attendance; to the Winslow church, for the use of its chapel and parlors for the entertainment of their numerous guests from abroad; to the families of the Congregational churches, for abounding and pleasant hospitality; to the Committee of Arrangements, for wise and generous plans to meet all demands of the meeting and the wants of the guests; to the chorister and choir of this church, for most delightful aid in the service of song, and to all who have contributed to render the meeting a pleasure and a profit to those who have been in attendance.
Also, it renders sincere thanks to the writers of the different papers, and to the Committees and speakers who have given time and thought, and so greatly aided in the power and success of the meeting.
A response was made by Rev. Dr. Blake, of the Committee of Arrangements. The closing prayer was offered by Rev. A. H. Plumb, of Boston. The Doxology was sung, and, with the Benediction by Rev. Dr. Hartranft, the Association adjourned.