The Treasurer, H. W. Hubbard, Esq., read his report, which was referred to a Committee on Finance. The Annual Report of the Executive Committee was made through Rev. G. D. Pike, D.D., District Secretary, and was referred seriatim to appropriate Committees. An hour was then spent in prayer and conference, with special reference to the work in the South.
Tuesday evening, after devotional services, led by Rev. E. G. Porter, of Lexington, Rev. C. D. Hartranft, D.D., of Hartford, Conn., preached for the Annual Sermon a discourse appropriate to the Communion, which followed it, from Matthew xxvi, 27, l.c., “Drink ye all of it.” The Lord’s Supper was administered by Rev. Geo. W. Phillips, pastor of Plymouth Church, and Rev. Geo. H. Gould, D.D.
Wednesday morning, a prayer meeting, conducted by Rev. A. P. Foster, of Jersey City, was held at eight o’clock. At nine o’clock the regular session began, the chair being occupied in turn by Rev. L. T. Chamberlain, D.D., of Norwich, Conn., and Gen. O. O. Howard, of West Point, Vice-Presidents. John H. Washburn, Esq., in behalf of the Executive Committee, to whom was referred the matter of amending the Constitution of the Association at the last Annual Meeting, reported certain recommendations, which were referred to a Special Committee, to report Thursday morning. Richard Wright, Esq., of Augusta, Ga., colored, read a paper on “The Colored Man: His Strength, Weakness and Needs.” President E. H. Fairchild, of Berea College, Kentucky, read a paper on “Review of the Anti-Slavery Contest, and estimate of its meaning and value with reference to the Civilization of Africa and the World.” Secretary Strieby made an address on “The duty of America in the Conversion of the World, and especially in the Conversion of Africa.” President E. A. Wane, of Atlanta University, Ga., read a paper on “Higher Education.”
Wednesday afternoon. Prayer was offered by Rev. H. A. Stimson, of Worcester. Gen. O. O. Howard made an address on “Our Social Needs and their Remedy.” Gen. S. C. Armstrong, of Hampton, Va., reported for the Committee on Indian work, and was followed by Capt. R. H. Pratt, of Carlisle, Penn. A report of the Committee on Church work was read by Rev. Cyrus Hamlin, D.D., who also made an address upon the subject. Rev. J. E. Roy, D.D., Field Superintendent of the Association, supported the report by interesting statements illustrating the influence of the work among the colored people. The report of the Committee on Educational work was read by Rev. Charles T. Collins, of Cleveland, Ohio, and supported by Rev. John R. Thurston, of Whitinsville.
Wednesday evening. Hon. E. S. Tobey, of Boston, President of the Association, in the chair. Rev. William M. Gage, D.D., of Hartford, offered prayer. Addresses on “Christian Education at the South” were made by Rev. L. O. Brastow, D.D., of Burlington, Vermont; Prof. Cyrus Northrop, of Yale College, and Hon. Geo. F. Hoar, of the U.S. Senate.
Thursday morning. The prayer meeting at eight o’clock was led by Rev. O. H. White, D.D. The regular session at nine o’clock was opened with prayer by Rev. I. P. Langworthy, D.D., of Boston. Col. Franklin Fairbanks read the report of the Special Committee on the Constitution.
The following amendments were adopted: In Art. vi. the words, “Recording Secretary,” and “of which the Corresponding Secretaries shall be advisory, and the Treasurer ex-officio members,” are omitted; and after “Secretaries” the words, “who shall also keep the records of the Association,” are inserted. In Art. vii. after “dismissing,” the parenthesis is omitted. Article viii. is omitted, and Arts. ix. and x. are respectively numbered viii. and ix. The consideration of Arts. iii. and v. were referred to a special committee of thirteen, Col. Franklin Fairbanks, chairman, to report at next Annual Meeting.
A letter from Hon. E. S. Tobey, President, declining re-election on account of the pressure of other duties, was read, and resolutions of thanks for his faithful services were unanimously adopted by a rising vote. The Nominating Committee recommended Hon. Wm. B. Washburn, of Greenfield, Mass., for President, and presented a list of other officers, who were duly elected.
On motion of Rev. C. T. Collins, it was voted to memorialize Congress for immediate and increased appropriations for education at the South.
The report of the Committee on Chinese Missions was read by Rev. A. E. P. Perkins, D.D., of Ware. A paper on the subject was read by Miss Harriette Carter, of Mt. Vernon Church, Boston, where more than one hundred Chinamen have had Bible instruction, and addresses were made by Rev. Lysander Dickerman, of California, and by Rev. C. H. Pope, of Machias, Me.