Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, D.D., of New York, will preach the Annual Sermon Tuesday evening, October 23d. The program has been prepared to cover not only the reports of the work of the American Missionary Association but also to provide for the discussion of large and fundamental problems. Prominent clergymen and laymen of our own denomination will be present. There will also be represented on the platform societies and institutions working along the same line in cordial and hearty Christian sympathy. This will add greatly to the interest of the meeting and to the scope of discussions. Thus the Fifty-fourth Annual Meeting will present a platform and not an organ.
Jubilee Singers.
A band of Jubilee Singers from Fisk University, Tenn., will be present and add greatly to the sessions by their quaint and pathetic music. This is always an interesting feature of the American Missionary Association convention appreciated by all.
Industrial Exhibit.
An industrial exhibit containing samples of the work in representative Association schools will present an object lesson of this work. This exhibit will be in the chapel of the First Congregational Church near by the place of meetings.
Missionaries.
The most interesting feature of the meeting, however, will doubtless be the messages that come from the missionaries, a large number of whom will be present. These men and women are on the advanced line in this great movement for many races, including millions of peoples who especially need the influence and power of an intelligent Gospel. Among these missionaries will be representatives of different races. Porto Rico, the new field entered a year ago, will be represented by a missionary whose work has been especially valuable.
Special.
A special number of the Springfield Union will be issued containing a full verbatim report of the various sessions. This will be sent to ministers so as to reach them, if possible, Saturday morning, October 27th. Pastors desiring to present the work of this Association to their people will find this extra of great value.
In the scope of the discussions, the ability and variety of speakers, the interesting and accessible places of note in and around the city of meeting, and the great interest now taken in the problems which the American Missionary Association is seeking to solve, the Fifty-fourth Annual Meeting promises to be a large and even epoch-marking convention.