Thursday morning the prayer-meeting was led by Rev. Moses Smith, of Michigan. The business session was opened with prayer by Prof. A. H. Currier, of Oberlin, after which Rev. W. E. Brooks, President of Tillotson Institute, Texas, presented the claims of the work there. The report on Indian Missions was presented by Rev. A. H. Ross, D.D., of Michigan. Prof. G. F. Wright, of Ohio, next presented the report on the Educational Work at the South, and was followed by Mr. B. F. Ousley, a graduate of Fisk University, who spoke upon the report, and also by Prof. A. Salisbury, the recently appointed superintendent of the educational work of the Association. Rev. E. M. Cravath, President of Fisk University, read a paper on “Higher Education.” Rev. Arthur Little, D.D., of Chicago, presented the report of the Committee on Church Work, which was followed by addresses from Rev. C. O. Brown and Mr. Geo. W. Moore, a graduate of Fisk University.
The Woman’s Missionary Meeting was held at nine o’clock Thursday morning in the chapel of the church, when papers were read by Mrs. G. W. Andrews, of Talladega, Ala., Miss Annie Cahill, of Nashville, Tenn., and Miss Hamilton, of Memphis, Tenn.
Thursday afternoon the session was opened with devotional exercises. The Committee on the proposed transfer of missions reported, through Rev. M. McG. Dana, D.D., of Minnesota, favoring the general plan, but making it a condition that the interests of the work already in hand be not sacrificed, and with this condition referring the whole subject to the Executive Committee of the Association, with power. The report was accepted and adopted. A petition was presented by President Ware, of Atlanta University, requesting the appointment of a committee to define the policy of the Association with reference to its work among the different races, which was referred to the Executive Committee. The officers of the Association were re-elected for the ensuing year. Addresses were then made by Rev. J. M. Gregory, D.D., of Washington, D.C., representing the work of the Baptists at the South, and by Rev. R. S. Rust, D.D., of Ohio, representing the Methodists, and by Elkanah Beard, representing the Friends in the same field. These brethren were received in a spirit of cordial fellowship and co-operation. Rev. J. E. Roy, D.D., Field Superintendent of the Association, read a paper on “The New South.” The concluding address of the session was made by Secretary Strieby, representing the work of the Congregational churches at the South. The report of the Finance Committee was presented by J. G. W. Cowles, Esq. Thursday evening a mass meeting was held in the Tabernacle. The music was furnished by a choir of seventy-five voices from Oberlin, under the leadership of Prof. F. B. Rice. After devotional exercises, addresses were made upon “The National Problem of Southern Education,” by ex-President R. B. Hayes, of Ohio: President A. D. White, of Cornell University, and by Hon. J. L. M. Curry, of Virginia. Rev. G. D. Pike, D.D., in behalf of the Association, tendered a resolution of thanks to the churches and people of Cleveland for their hospitality, and to the committees, pastors, choir and railroads for their kindness in contributing to the success of the meetings.
It was the prevailing feeling that the meeting at Cleveland was, on the whole, a great success. Although there were other attractions which drew many away, yet the attendance was large, and at the closing session there were over three thousand present. The weather was fine, the papers presented of a high order, and the interest from beginning to end unabated. Nothing was lacking in the way of preparation, and with the impetus of this meeting resting upon it, the Association takes courage and looks forward to another year of work with renewed faith and hope.