We devote considerable space in this number of the Missionary to the papers and reports presented at the Woman's Meeting held in connection with our Annual Meeting in Brooklyn. The topics considered related to the wide range of work conducted by this Association. They were treated by persons having much experience in our mission fields, and will be welcomed not only as interesting reading, but as furnishing authoritative data for the encouragement of the friends of our work. The constitution proposed at the meeting, for Women's co-operative societies is given, and is commended to the attention of those ladies who desire to aid mission work in our own country.
The valuable Paper on "Woman's Work in Modern Charity and Missions," read by Rev. A. H. Bradford at our Annual Meeting, not published elsewhere, has been put in pamphlet form, with a view to general distribution. We will be pleased to furnish copies gratuitously, in such numbers as may be desired, to those wishing it for the promotion of woman's work.
We are happy to report that the practice of paying for subscriptions for the American Missionary is becoming more general year by year. This is as it should be. We try to make the Missionary worth the price, which is fifty cents annually. We believe the information it contains is of value to all, and that most of it cannot be found elsewhere. Will not our friends kindly aid us in its circulation, remitting to our treasurer at once what may be gathered for that purpose?
JOINT COMMITTEE.
The Joint Committee appointed by the American Home Missionary Society and the American Missionary Association for the consideration of the relation between the two societies, met by adjournment at Springfield, Mass., Dec. 11. The committee on the part of the A. H. M. S. consisted of Rev. J. E. Twitchell, D.D., Rev. Lyman Abbott, D.D., Rev. Geo. L. Walker, D.D., Rev. C. L. Goodell, D.D., and A. S. Barnes, Esq. The Committee on the part of the A. M. A. consisted of Rev. J. L. Withrow, D.D., Rev. Washington Gladden, D.D., Rev. D. O. Mears, D.D., Prest. S. C. Bartlett, and Rev. W. H. Ward, D.D. All were present except Dr. Goodell, and his place was filled by Mr. S. B. Capen. A letter from Dr. Goodell was read. Dr. Barrows, representing the Home Missionary Society, and Dr. Strieby, representing the American Missionary Association, were also present by invitation.
It was manifest that the members of the Committee were equally friends of both societies and sought only their greatest efficiency. No partisan feeling found utterance. The members of the Committee are men of independent views and judgment, and examined the subject before them from different standpoints, and yet reached in the paper presented below a remarkable degree of unanimity—every item receiving a unanimous vote. The result will command and deserves the attention of the churches. The following is
THE ACTION OF THE COMMITTEE.