Rev. G. W. Harding read the report of the Committee on African work, and addresses were made by himself, by Col. H. G. Prout, late in the service of the Khedive of Egypt, and by Rev. Geo. S. Dickerman, of Lewiston, Me.
Thursday afternoon. On “Woman’s Work for Woman,” papers were read by Miss M. L. Sawyer, of Boxford, and Miss E. B. Emery, of Gorham, Me., and addresses delivered by Mrs. A. K. Spence, of Nashville, Tennessee; by Rev. E. N. Packard, of Dorchester; Rev. A. H. Plumb, of Boston, and Rev. E. S. Atwood, of Salem.
The report of the Finance Committee, in the absence of Hon. J. J. H. Gregory, chairman, was read by Rev. E. S. Atwood, and asked for $300,000 for the ensuing year. Addresses were made by Rev. Geo. F. Stanton, of Weymouth, and Secretary Strieby. District Secretary Woodworth made a statement of Mr. Gregory’s recent gifts, amounting to $15,000. Rev. A. H. Plumb, in a happy little speech, announced $2,000 from an unknown donor, which he passed to the Treasurer in a sealed envelope. Of the amount, $500 was for Berea College and $500 for Hampton Institute.
Thursday evening, after prayer by Rev. Lewis Grout, Rev. O. H. White, D.D., for six years Secretary of the Freedmen’s Missions Aid Society in London, spoke of English co-operation and of the miseries of the slave trade in Africa. Henry D. Hyde, Esq., of Boston, pressed the claims of the Association to more liberal support, and John B. Gough, Esq., in a series of incidents, told in his inimitable style, illustrated the capacity of the colored race to be educated and elevated.
After some parting words from President Tobey, resolutions of thanks to the churches, committees, pastors, choir and railroads, and to the hospitable people of Worcester, and addresses in response by pastors Lamson and Phillips, the meeting closed with the benediction by Dr. O. H. White, to meet next year in Cleveland, Ohio. Near the close of the session a beautiful white dove entered the church and suggestively perched in a high niche over the pulpit platform.
Notwithstanding the prevailing dullness of the weather during our Annual Meeting at Worcester, there was nothing like dullness in the meetings. Daily the capacious church was thronged with deeply interested listeners. The high character of the addresses, the absorbing interest of subjects discussed, the excellent music of the ample choir, the completeness of arrangements by the local committee, and their uniform courtesy and unremitting attentions, and last, but not least, the generous hospitality of the Christian people of the city, all conspired to make the occasion one to be long and delightfully remembered.
The American Missionary Association turns with fresh hope and new inspiration to the work of the coming year.