Rev. George R. Merrill, of Ohio, was then elected Secretary, and Rev. S. M. Newman, of Wisconsin, Assistant Secretary.
The Treasurer, H. W. Hubbard, Esq., then read his report, which was referred to the Committee on Finance.
The annual report of the Executive Committee of the Association was presented by Rev. M. E. Strieby, D.D., Corresponding Secretary of the Society, and its several portions were referred to appropriate committees.
After the appointment of the various committees, the remainder of the session was devoted to prayer and conference, led by Rev. C. L. Woodworth, District Secretary of the Association. This season of prayer derived special interest from the fact that the same hour was observed by the workers throughout the field.
Tuesday evening, after devotional services, led by Rev. Arthur Little, D.D., of Chicago, the annual sermon was preached by Rev. C. L. Goodell, D.D., of St. Louis, from the text, Matthew 28:18, the theme being “More Power from Christ for the World’s Larger Needs.”
After the sermon, Rev. J. E. Twichell, D.D., presented an address of welcome in behalf of the churches and people of Cleveland. The observance of the Lord’s Supper followed, at which Rev. T. M. Post, D.D., of St. Louis, and President J. H. Fairchild, D.D., of Oberlin, presided.
Wednesday morning the prayer meeting was conducted by Rev. H. L. Hubbell, of New York. At the opening of the regular session at nine o’clock, the report of the Committee on the Revision of the Constitution of the Association was presented by Rev. George M. Boynton, of Massachusetts. A general discussion followed, in which the speakers were limited to ten minutes each, and which was closed promptly at half-past ten o’clock. On motion, the report was made the order for two o’clock in the afternoon. Rev. F. L. Kenyon, of Iowa, read a paper on “The Relation of the A. M. A. to Civilization.” Gen. S. C. Armstrong, of Hampton, Va., read a paper on “The Indian Problem,” which was followed by a few remarks from Father Potter, of Ohio, formerly for about twenty years a missionary among the Cherokee Indians. Rev. W. H. Ward, D.D., of New York, read a paper on “Caste in Education.”
After the opening of the Wednesday afternoon session with prayer, the order of the day was taken up and the report of the Committee on the Constitution was referred to a special committee of thirteen, to reconsider the whole subject, and report at the next Annual Meeting, after having obtained an expression of opinion from each of the State Congregational organizations. An invitation was presented to the Association from Mr. and Mrs. D. P. Eells to visit Oakwood on Friday morning, which was received with an expression of thanks. Rev. F. A. Noble, D.D., of Illinois, read a paper on “God’s way of vindicating Brotherhood.” The report of the Committee on African Missions was presented by Rev. M. McG. Dana, D.D., of Minnesota. Rev. Henry M. Ladd, D.D., of New York, using a large map, gave an account of his recent extended missionary explorations on the Upper Nile. Rev. M. E. Strieby, D.D., Secretary of the Association, read a Paper in regard to the proposed exchange of Missions with the A. B. C. F. M., and a special committee was appointed to which the paper was referred. Rev. James Brand, D.D., of Ohio, presented the report of the Committee on Chinese Missions.
Wednesday evening, after opening with devotional exercises, Rev. A. G. Haygood, D.D., of Georgia, delivered an interesting address, followed by addresses from Gen. Clinton B. Fisk, of New York, and Rev. A. J. F. Behrends, D.D., of Rhode Island.