The Committee desire to say on this point that they doubt whether any other benevolent organization can show a more careful guarding of the munificence of the churches; and on the basis of increased want and of larger opportunities and perfect safety, they ask that the churches this year put into the hands of the management the sum of $300,000.—E. S. Atwood, Chairman.
FROM THE ADDRESS OF REV. GEO. F. STANTON.
* * * It seems to me, sir, that, looking back over the days that we have been gathered here, we have been lifted up, and I seem to see to-day the prophecy of a grand increase and acquisition of interest and helpfulness for this work. We have been inspired by these grand addresses; we have been thrilled by them; we have been, as it were, lifted above our ordinary thought and feeling; and the work stretches before us in grand and inspiring invitations. But what, sir, shall be the return we are to make for all we have here enjoyed? What is to be the result of all this inspiration and uplifting? What is to be the outcome of this anniversary? If we are to go away simply rejoicing that we have been so richly blessed in this fellowship and instruction, if we are to go away feeling simply glad and grateful, have we met the claims of the hour?
I remember the story of a brother in the African Methodist church, who, whenever the contribution box was passed, was accustomed to shut his eyes and throw his head back and join in with all his zeal and all his lungs in singing the song which was usually sung on that occasion, “Fly abroad, thou mighty Gospel.” This went on for several contributions, and then the deacon who passed the box thought he detected an error in all that praising and singing, and so he punched the brother quite pointedly with the box and said, “Just you give something to make it fly!” If we merely have the inspiration of this hour and it does not culminate in enlarged gifts for the work, if there is not a vast enlargement of the work upon the hands of this Association, this meeting will have been a failure. It is to redeem it from that failure that this report and these calls are now made.
You remember how it was when the war closed—you remember what an inspiration swept over the land, and what enthusiasm there was at the very mention of the freed slave. You remember how many associations and philanthropic societies, and even the Government itself, were enlisted in the work, and how their appeals thrilled the multitudes. The picture held before us then was that of a slave, from whose cramped limbs the broken manacles were falling. We were enthusiastic then. But to-day the same picture of the freed and suffering slave, and the same appeals, though with all the worth they had in them then, are to us only the embellishments of rhetoric. They have lost their force, and I am surprised at this when I look upon the vastness of the work; for, with all these years of our labor, the work has outgrown and overmatched our efforts, and the demands upon us to-day are greater than at the first. Every appeal made to justice then is as strong to-day; every appeal made to philanthropy then is of equal force to-day; every appeal to our enthusiasm then has in it just as much of power, even if it is not felt, to-day.
VOTE OF THANKS.
Resolved, that the hearty thanks of this Association be extended to the pastors and members of the Congregational churches, and to the people of Worcester, for their cordial welcome and generous hospitality to the many attendants on this the thirty-fifth annual meeting; in particular to the Plymouth Church and Society for the use of this elegant house of worship and the convenient rooms connected with it, and to the pastor, Rev. George W. Phillips, for his many courteous attentions. This Association also desires to express its sincere thanks to the large choir, for its aid in the service of song; to the press, for its full reports of the exercises, and for the liberality of the railroads which have reduced the rates of fare over their lines. While deeply grateful to the various Committees for their great work in making and executing wise plans for this large gathering, it wishes to recognize specially the efficient services of the Rev. Chas. W. Lamson and Samuel R. Heywood, Esq., whose wisdom and executive ability have greatly contributed to the success of this meeting.