Thus charged, we have yet gone within our instructions. We have made every dollar do more than its work. We have gathered up the fragments that nothing be lost; and yet to-day our payments anticipate our receipts by the sum of $5,641.21. We do not regret the anxiety and pain which it has cost us to effect what we have. The generous words of sympathy and confidence that have come to us of late, with noble gifts, large and small, repay the solicitude and incessant care. We thank God and his people, and hold firmly our faith in Him who said, "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you." He opened the door. Our faith is in Him who also said, "Ask, and ye shall receive."
The year opened with the Association bereft of its honored President. We come to this new year happy in our choice of the Rev. Wm. M. Taylor, D.D., of New York, to fill this most important position. In his acceptance we congratulate the Association.
Since the year began, the churches have missed the stirring appeals of our beloved Secretary Powell, who had the especial oversight and burden of the collecting fields. Such a life as that of James Powell is not common. It was a grand sacrifice of undeviating love for those whose poverty made him a debtor to them. His consecration will not be forgotten.
His sudden departure—our great bereavement—made necessary the transfer of the Rev. C.J. Ryder from the field to the District Secretaryship of the Eastern District in New England, who has brought with his energy and zeal such an experience, and personal knowledge of the entire field, as to insure him the most hearty welcome and co-operation on the part of our pastors and churches.
The Rev. F.E. Jenkins, a graduate of Williams College and of Hartford Theological Seminary, for some time earnestly engaged in our Southern work, has been appointed a field superintendent for personal examination and supervision of our churches and schools, and has already entered upon his duties.
The Association, with its Superintendents continually in the field, who [pg 315] report every fact to the Secretaries at the office, who in turn submit the entire work to the churches, is thus continually made better prepared to direct the sacrifices of the benevolent in ways that shall not be irresponsible or unwise, than those which are subject to no such scrutiny or supervision, and are held to no responsibility. Much less money would be diverted from this authorized and recognized servant of the Congregational Churches, and far greater efficiency would be secured, if our friends would remember that their own ordained agency can open as many missions as they will make possible, which shall have, at least, one advantage over independent and unsupervised work, in that, through us, they shall be under your own constant Christian watch and care.
We may not close this review of our year's work and attendant suggestions without remembrance of our indebtedness to the American Bible Society, for its grant of Bibles; to the Congregational Sunday-school and Publishing Society for the help given to our struggling churches and Sunday-schools in its grant of books and lesson helps. We rejoice in the unity of our societies, which make all one in the blending of the parts for the great common purpose of redeeming the lost and gathering them into the family of Christ.