The chief officers of this Association, the President, Rev. David Thurston, the Treasurer, Lewis Tappan, with his brother Arthur, the Secretaries, George Whipple and S. S. Jocelyn, now on high, were all here on this platform, bearing up against the discouragements of the way, and by their great faith inciting the people to “go forward.” “The workers die, but God carries on the work.”
A SUGGESTION—FINANCIAL.
We have passed another milestone in our work. The reports and extracts from addresses made at the recent annual meeting, and placed before our constituents in this double number of the Missionary, tell how far we have progressed, and indicate something of the demands that the journey beyond is already making upon us.
A perusal of these papers will show that the enthusiasm of earnest conviction characterized the Norwich meeting. The success of the past, no less than the present exigent needs of the field in every department, focused the thought of the meeting on one thing—enlargement of the work.
But the spirit that pervaded the annual meeting must in some way or other be carried over to the churches. Enlargement of the work means necessarily enlargement of resources. There must be at least an increase of twenty-five per cent. over the contributions of last year. It is a good time now to lay plans to secure this. We would suggest to pastors and others having charge of missionary meetings, that, as far as possible, the next monthly concert be made the occasion of bringing before the churches the interesting facts regarding the work of the American Missionary Association presented at the Norwich meeting. By possessing the minds of the people with intelligence, and their hearts with interest regarding the work, the needed increase in contributions, we believe, will be easily secured.
PROCEEDINGS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.
The thirty-fourth Annual Meeting of the Association had for its meeting place the commodious Broadway Church in the beautiful city of Norwich, Conn. It was favored with perfect autumnal days, bountiful and beautiful hospitality, and a large and sustained attendance at all its sessions.
President Tobey being detained from attendance, the chair was occupied by Vice-Presidents Dr. Wm. L. Gage, of Hartford, and Dr. Wm. W. Patton, of Howard University, and at the closing session by Dr. L. T. Chamberlain, pastor of the church in which the meetings were held. Rev. Geo. M. Boynton was elected Secretary, and Revs. C. P. Osborne and J. H. Isham, Assistant Secretaries of the meeting. Dr. Langworthy, of Massachusetts, conducted the opening devotional services. The Treasurer read his report. The report of the Executive Committee was read by Secretary Strieby, after which an hour was spent in prayer, reminiscence and thanksgiving.