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THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
DECEMBER, 1889.
VOL. XLIII. NO. 12
CONTENTS.
EDITORIAL.
OUR ANNUAL MEETING
FINANCIAL
THE DANIEL HAND FUND
THE LITERATURE OF THE MEETING
NOTICES FROM THE PRESS
THE "AMERICAN MISSIONARY"
BRIEF NOTES
ANNUAL MEETING.
PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL MEETING
SUMMARY OF TREASURER'S REPORT
THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION--ITS PLACE AND WORK.
BY SECRETARY STRIEBY
THE MISSIONARY VIEW OF THE SOUTHERN SITUATION.
BY SECRETARY BEARD
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
ADDRESSES ON THESE REPORTS, BY MESSRS. WRIGHT, WOODBURY, TAYLOR, HIATT,
FISK, FOSTER, RIGGS, STIMSON, GOODWIN, AND SALISBURY
CLOSING ADDRESS BY REV. DR. TAYLOR
BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK.
REPORT OF SECRETARY
WOMAN'S STATE ORGANIZATIONS
RECEIPTS
* * * * *
NEW YORK:
PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
Rooms, 56 Reade Street.
* * * * *
Price, 50 Cents a Year, in Advance.
Entered at the Post Office at New York, N.Y., as second-class matter.
* * * * *
American Missionary Association
PRESIDENT, Rev. WM. M. TAYLOR, D.D., LL.D., N.Y.
_Vice-Presidents._
Rev. A.J.F. BEHRENDS, D.D., N.Y.
Rev. F.A. NOBLE, D.D., Ill.
Rev. ALEX. McKENZIE, D.D., Mass.
Rev. D.O. MEARS, D.D., Mass.
Rev. HENRY HOPKINS, D.D., Mo.
_Corresponding Secretaries._
Rev. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
Rev. A.F. BEARD, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
_Recording Secretary._
Rev. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
_Treasurer._
H.W. HUBBARD, Esq., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
_Auditors._
PETER McCARTEE.
CHAS. P. PEIRCE.
_Executive Committee._
JOHN H. WASHBURN, Chairman.
ADDISON P. FOSTER, Secretary.
_For Three Years._
S.B. HALLIDAY,
SAMUEL HOLMES,
SAMUEL S. MARPLES,
CHARLES L. MEAD,
ELBERT B. MONROE.
_For Two Years._
J.E. RANKIN,
WM. H. WARD,
J.W. COOPER,
JOHN H. WASHBURN,
EDMUND L. CHAMPLIN.
_For One Year._
LYMAN ABBOTT,
CHAS. A. HULL,
CLINTON B. FISK,
ADDISON P. FOSTER,
ALBERT J. LYMAN.
_District Secretaries._
Rev. C.J. RYDER, _21 Cong'l House, Boston._
Rev. J.E. ROY, D.D., _151 Washington Street, Chicago._
Rev. C.W. HIATT, _64 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio._
_Financial Secretary for Indian Missions._
Rev. CHAS. W. SHELTON.
_Field Superintendent._
Rev. FRANK E. JENKINS.
_Secretary of Woman's Bureau._
Miss D.E. EMERSON, _56 Reade St., N.Y._
COMMUNICATIONS
Relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the
Corresponding Secretaries; letters for "THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY," to the
Editor, at the New York Office; letters relating to the finances, to the
Treasurer.
DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
In drafts, checks, registered letters, or post-office orders, may be
sent to H.W. Hubbard, Treasurer, 56 Reade Street, New York, or, when
more convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21 Congregational
House, Boston, Mass., or 151 Washington Street, Chicago, Ill. A payment
of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a Life Member.
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS.--The date on the "address label" indicates the
time to which the subscription is paid. Changes are made in date on
ladle to the 10th of each month. If payment of subscription be made
afterward, the change on the label will appear a month later. Please
send early notice of change in post-office address, giving the former
address and the new address, in order that our periodicals and
occasional papers may be correctly mailed.
FORM OF A BEQUEST.
"I bequeath to my executor (or executors) the sum of ---- dollars, in
trust, to pay the same in ---- days after my decease to the person who,
when the same is payable, shall act as Treasurer of the 'American
Missionary Association,' of New York City, to be applied, under the
direction of the Executive Committee of the Association, to its
charitable uses and purposes." The Will should be attested by three
witnesses.
* * * * *
THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
VOL. XLIII. DECEMBER, 1889. NO. 12
American Missionary Association.
* * * * *
OUR ANNUAL MEETING.
We return from our Annual Meeting held in Chicago with a deep sense of
gratitude to God and to the many friends who in various ways helped to
make it one of the most pleasant and profitable of our anniversaries. We
did not have the remarkable uplift of a munificent gift like that of Mr.
Daniel Hand, which made our meeting at Providence so memorable, but we
had, in the strength and appropriateness of the sermon, and in the
ability of the addresses, papers and reports, that which will render
this meeting a cheering landmark in our history.
* * * * *
FINANCIAL.
$500,000 FOR 1889-90.
Our financial exhibit, with the able report upon it, was one of the
encouraging features of our Annual Meeting. The report of the Treasurer
announced the gratifying fact that the books closed with all obligations
and indebtedness paid, and with a balance on hand of over $4,000. The
able Finance Committee gave a careful examination of the Treasurer's
books and papers, and made very commendatory report as to methods and
accuracy.
The National Council, at its meeting in Worcester, recommended that the
churches contribute to the Association for the coming year $500,000. The
Finance Committee after careful examination of the needs of the work
endorsed the recommendation of the Council, and the Association heartily
adopted the report. This sum, therefore, is what, in the judgment of
competent persons, is imperatively needed; and we, therefore, take
pleasure in going before our constituents, appealing for that amount.
* * * * *
THE DANIEL HAND FUND.
This noble gift, which awakened such enthusiasm at our annual meeting
one year ago, came with its echo of work well done during the year--an
echo which we trust will reverberate with steady force through all the
years to come. In the Treasurer's report the figures were given as to
the appropriations made from the income of this Fund during the year; in
the General Survey cheering statements were made as to the many pupils
it had stimulated to industry and education, and the buildings it had
erected; and in several of the papers and addresses, grateful mention
was made of the benefits conferred by it. We trust that other large
givers may be stimulated to follow in the footsteps of one who has so
wisely invested his money for the uplifting of the most needy in our
land.
A recent letter from Mr. Hand shows his deep solicitude that his gift
shall be used for the highest moral and religious purposes. He says: "I
have feared that the teachers might be more concerned for letters than
for morals. My bequest was given to you chiefly as a religious society.
Religion is the first, chiefest and best of it all."
* * * * *
THE LITERATURE OF THE MEETING.
This presents a genuine case of the embarrassment of riches. We never
had better. We wish all our friends might have the opportunity for the
careful study of it, for it is worth their time and attention.
Full reports of the proceedings were made daily in the _Chicago Inter
Ocean_. They were all gathered into a supplement, and have already been
widely scattered. Some copies are still on hand at our offices in New
York, Boston, Cleveland and Chicago, and can be had on application.
The annual sermon, as usual, will be printed with the Annual Report.
This number of the MISSIONARY (an enlarged number) will contain the
Minutes and the official papers, including reports and the speeches upon
them, (the latter necessarily somewhat abridged) Secretaries' papers,
and the closing address of Rev. Dr. Taylor. Other papers and addresses,
including the Representative Addresses, will be published hereafter as
far as practicable in subsequent numbers of the MISSIONARY or in some
other form.
* * * * *
NOTICES FROM THE PRESS.
* * * * *
FROM THE ADVANCE.
No meeting of the American Missionary Association has ever been better
than this last one. Dr. William M. Taylor, who with such consummate
felicity combines so many of the best characteristics of the Scotch, the
English and the Yankee, presided. The topics of the several papers and
addresses, though covering a large range of thought all converged to the
same main point, and were especially pertinent to the hour. Those who
had been invited to prepare papers showed, by the manifest pains they
took with them, their sense of the importance of the occasion. They
brought the results of their best and most earnest thinking. And it is
rare that such speakers are confronted by a more earnest, intelligent
and sympathetic audience.
The meeting was a good one in every respect; it is not easy to
overestimate either its delightfulness or its moral power. It is not
possible for a great society to place before itself a more eminently
Christlike purpose. It has been greatly honored of God in its results
thus far. And no decently intelligent history of America will ever fail
to note the vital and decisively critical part which, in the Providence
that overrules all history, has been given to this so timely and so
sagaciously Christian organization to take in preparing the various
despised races of America for good citizenship in our common country, so
that Negro, Indian, Chinaman and whatever other race representatives are
among us may sing in glorious unison: "My country 'tis of thee, sweet
land of liberty!"
* * * * *
FROM THE CONGREGATIONALIST.
The Annual Meeting in Chicago was remarkable in many respects. All the
sessions were good. There was no talking against time. There were no
displays of eloquence. No one spoke for effect. The ruling desire seemed
to be to get at the facts, and to learn the lessons which they teach.
Subjects were carefully grouped together, so that at the close of the
meeting one felt that the fourfold character of the work of the
Association had been fully and intelligently presented. Speeches were
almost entirely by those whose names were on the programme, and who,
therefore, had given time and thought to the matters on which they had
been invited to enlighten others. Every one came with the idea that he
_might_ speak, that he had the liberty of the floor, and yet few cared
to use this liberty. Debate is good, but on matters which concern the
treatment of more than ten millions of people--eight of Negroes, two of
mountain whites, besides Indians and Chinese--extempore addresses are
not the best use of time. As a result of this preparation, Wednesday,
the day when most of the papers were read, will compare favorably with
the best days of the American Board. The ability of the younger men in
our denomination was conspicuous. None of our great benevolent
enterprises will suffer in their hands.
While there was great seriousness, there was also evident hopefulness,
and an unshaken confidence in the power of the gospel to remove all the
difficulties in the race problem, the Indian and the Chinese questions,
and in the treatment of the Mountain Whites. While a unit in sentiment
as to the importance of the school, the convention seemed to be equally
a unit as to the importance of making it a missionary school, and of
keeping it in closest union with the church. The conviction seemed to
prevail that to separate the one from the other would, in the highest
degree, be unfortunate. It was evident, furthermore, that the work of
the Association has only just begun, that no backward step can be taken,
and that the churches ought to give larger sums for the support of the
Association year by year. It deserves, and will reward, their confidence
and generosity.
* * * * *
FROM THE CHRISTIAN UNION.
The Annual Meeting of the American Missionary Association, held in
Chicago last week, and of which a full account will be found elsewhere,
brought out anew the directness and energy with which this society is
bringing its aid to the solution of some of the most immediate and
perplexing problems in this country. The Negro, the Indian and the
Chinese are the especial objects of its care, and it has rendered
immense service to these races in this country, not only by its direct
answer to the appeal for help which comes, consciously or unconsciously,
from all of them, but by its educational influence upon the country at
large. The importance of the race question in the South cannot be
overstated, and it is a question the very gravity of which makes all
partisanship on either side the gravest offense against the welfare of
the country. The American Missionary Association, planting itself
resolutely on the principle of equal justice to all races on our
continent, and holding firmly to the method of Christian education,
holds distinct leadership in the only direction which can bring
permanent peace and safety. There is no missionary work in the world so
urgent and so important as that among the Negroes of the South. It is
not often that the work of a great Association is so plainly marked,
commends itself so thoroughly to the support of the country, and
converges so directly upon those things which are most urgent in their
demand upon the best thought of the best citizens, as the work of the
American Missionary Association.
* * * * *
FROM THE INDEPENDENT.
The meeting of the American Missionary Association in Chicago had no
debated question to excite difference. All agree that the meeting was
one of the most earnest and effective in the history of the Association.
Beginning with the opening sermon of Dr. Meredith, and closing with the
address of Dr. Taylor, all the reports and addresses were thoughtful and
pertinent. Some of the papers on special topics were of a very high
order, and it may not be invidious to name the remarkable paper by
Colonel Keating, of Memphis, Tenn., which places him alongside of Drs.
Curry and Haygood among the leaders of thought in creating the true New
South.
* * * * *
FROM THE HARTFORD COURANT.
No society in all this country of societies is doing nobler or more
useful work than the one which has been holding its yearly meeting this
week in the city of Chicago; none more thoroughly deserves the favor and
sympathy (expressing itself in dollars) of the public.
Look at a few eloquent figures. This American Missionary Association,
not yet fifty years old, has one hundred and thirteen missionaries at
work among the Negroes, the sadly neglected white mountaineers and the
newly arrived immigrants in the Southern States. It has established and
maintains there one hundred and thirty-six churches; also five chartered
institutions of learning, eighteen normal and graded schools, and
thirty-seven common schools, served by two hundred and sixty
instructors. Among the Indians it has half a dozen churches and three
times that number of schools, sixty-eight missionaries and teachers;
among the Chinese in this country, sixteen schools, thirty-five
missionaries and teachers. Its expenditures during the year footed up a
little over $366,000--a little over a thousand dollars a day. What a
work these figures represent, not merely for the Christian religion, but
for civilization, for morals, for good citizenship!
The American Missionary Association ought to have at least half a
million dollars to work with, this year, and Hartford should show well
up toward the top in the list of contributors.
* * * * *
"THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY."
The rich treat which this number of the MISSIONARY presents may well
suggest the privilege and duty not only of reading, but also of
circulating it. Let each reader possess himself of these important facts
and figures--these broad views as to the great work laid on the hearts
of American patriots and Christians--and then hand the magazine to some
neighbor. Let us suggest farther, that the MISSIONARY, in its monthly
issues, is full of the same sort of facts and thoughts, and should be
more widely read--it should have a _larger list of paying subscribers_.
Please read the subjoined letter from a converted Chinaman and then "go
and do thou likewise."
LOS ANGELES, CAL., Sept. 25, 1889.
_Dear American Missionary:_
I am sorry to say that I have utterly forgotten to pay you
for the _American Missionary_ for the year 1889. Now I beg
your pardon for that. You know I have used to send the money
through our pastor Dr. Pond, but since I had left San
Francisco visiting missions in different towns and cities
and therefore the _American Missionary_ did not reached me
while I am away from Los Angeles, so my attention of paying
for it was dropped from that point. Now I sent you _one
dollars_ including a new subscriber, our brother Jue King.
While I am writing this note another brother came in who
wish to get one also, and therefore have to send you $1.50,
one dollar & 50 cents. This brother name Leung Chow, Los
Angeles. Address Jue King's to the same P.O. Box as mine and
oblige. God bless the American Missionary.
Respectfully yours,
LOO QUONG.
* * * * *
BRIEF NOTES.
REV. C.J. RYDER, DISTRICT SECRETARY.
A little swarm of "Busy Bees," in Dover, N.H., have been making honey
for the needy children in one of the missions of our Association. Their
gift, amounting to sixty-five dollars, has been used to furnish a
Reference Library for the school at Wilmington, N.C. Special rates were
kindly given us on books by the Congregational Sunday-school and
Publishing Society and other firms in Boston, so that this sixty-five
dollars furnished a number of very useful books. Have not these "Busy
Bees" in New Hampshire set a good example to other children's societies?
Speaking of the Sunday-school and Publishing Society reminds me of two
things. The first is the kindly interest and generous help of that
society in the work being done by the Association in various fields.
Literature is abundantly supplied from their press, and in some
instances they have sent colporteurs and missionaries into the various
fields, who do a grand good work.
The other thing suggested by reference to this society is a queer
contribution which was brought in to Mr. Hall, a missionary of the
Association at Fort Berthold, Dakota. I chanced to be there when it was
brought in. Mr. Hall had told the Indian boys and girls of the useful
work done by the Sunday-school and Publishing Society in different parts
of the land. It has always been the policy of the Association, as our
friends know, to present the other Congregational Societies in our
missions, and distribute the small gifts which it is possible for these
poor people to give, among the different societies and not absorb it all
in the Association. These Indian boys had not money to give to the
Sunday-school Society, but they saw a premium offered for killing
gophers. They are a mischievous little animal, devouring a large amount
of wheat, corn and other grain every year. The farmers pay two cents for
each dead gopher. The proof that the gopher has been killed is his tail.
Now these little Indian boys had been so interested in the story told of
the work being done by the Sunday-school Society, that they spent their
Saturday afternoon holiday snaring gophers. They brought the tails in
the envelopes of the society, as their contribution. I took some of the
envelopes, paying two cents apiece for each tail and brought them East
with me. On one envelope I found the following: "Richard Fox, one tail."
What could be more appropriate!
* * * * *
Another of our District Secretaries not long since took a cup of coffee
at a lunch counter kept by a colored man in Northern Ohio. After paying,
he spoke of the work of the American Missionary Association. The colored
man's face lit up at once.
"Are you in that work?"
"Yes, I am."
"Take back that fifteen cents, sir."
* * * * *
FORTY-THIRD ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE
American Missionary Association.
* * * * *
The Forty-third Annual Meeting of the American Missionary Association
convened in the New England Congregational Church of Chicago, Ill., on
Tuesday, October 29, 1889, at 3 o'clock P.M.
The Association was called to order by the President, Rev. William M.
Taylor, D.D. The hymn, "I love thy kingdom, Lord," was sung, after which
the President read the thirty-fifth chapter of Isaiah and led the
Association in prayer.
Dr. Norman Seaver, supplying temporarily the pulpit of the New England
Church, welcomed the Association, and was responded to by Dr. Taylor.
Rev. N.A. Millerd and Rev. E.N. Andrews were appointed tellers, and
while the roll was being made out, Secretary A.F. Beard read the portion
of the Constitution relating to membership in the Association. Rev. J.C.
Armstrong, of Illinois, was elected Secretary, and Rev. E.S. Williams,
of Minnesota, Assistant Secretary.
The President was instructed to appoint a Nominating Committee.
The Treasurer, H.W. Hubbard, Esq., presented his annual report with
schedules and the certificates of the auditors. The report was accepted
and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Field Superintendent Rev. Frank E. Jenkins read the General Survey of
the Executive Committee. The document was accepted and the parts were
referred to the special committees to be appointed.
The President appointed the Nominating Committee as follows: Rev. G.S.F.
Savage, D.D., Rev. H.P. Higley, D.D., Rev. A.W. Archibald, Rev. A.B.
Allen and Rev. A.C. Hodges.
The Association was led by Secretary Strieby in a concert of prayer with
the workers in the field, Rev. Flavel Bascom, D.D., District Secretary
Roy and many others participating, by remarks or prayers, in the
exercises.
The Nominating Committee reported the following committees, which were
appointed:
_Committee on Business._--Rev. G.H. Ide, D.D., Rev. C.R. Bruce, Rev.
M.W. Montgomery, Rev. D.P. Breed, Rev. E.M. Williams.
_Committee on Finance._--F.J. Lamb, Esq., J.H. Moore, Esq., Pres. David
Beaton, Pres. Albert Salisbury and Rev. W.S. Rugby.
_Committee of Arrangements._--Rev. Norman Seaver, D.D., Wm. Dickinson,
Esq., Wm. H. Bradley, Esq., O.B. Green, Esq., Rev. F.A. Noble, D.D.,
J.H. Hollister, M.D., District Secretary J.E. Roy.
EVENING SESSION.
The exercises Tuesday evening opened with a selection by the quartette
choir of the New England Church.
The Association was called to order by President Taylor, and Rev. W.B.
Wright, D.D., read the Scripture and led in prayer. "Watchman, tell us
of the night," was then sung, after which Rev. R.R. Meredith, of New
York, preached the Annual Sermon, from Isaiah xlii, 1-4.
The sermon was followed by the administration of the Lord's Supper. The
following named persons officiated at the service: Ministers: Rev. H.P.
Higley, D.D., Rev. Graham Taylor, D.D. Deacons: S.D. Hastings, W.H.
Bradley, Wm. Dickinson, C.F. Gates, H.W. Hubbard and Chauncey Collom.
At the close of the communion service, adjournment was taken to
Wednesday at 8 A.M.
The benediction was pronounced by President Taylor.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
The prayer-meeting from 8 to 9 o'clock was led by President E.D. Eaton.
At 9 o'clock, President Eaton was called to the chair temporarily, and
was succeeded by the Vice-President of the Association, Rev. F.A. Noble,
D.D.
The minutes of the previous day were read and approved.
The President, Dr. Taylor, then resumed the chair.
The Nominating Committee reported the following special committees, who
were appointed:
_Committee on the Chinese._--Rev. H.A. Stimson, D.D., Rev. E.P. Goodwin,
D.D., Rev. Wm. Walker, Rev. J.G. Aikman, D.J. Pike, Esq.
_Committee on the Indians._--Rev. A.P. Foster, D.D., Gen. C.H. Howard,
Rev. Clinton Douglass, Rev. C.V. Spear.
_Committee on Educational Work._--Rev. W.B. Wright, D.D., Rev. F.P.
Woodbury, D.D., Rev. Amos Dresser, Rev. H.M. Tupper, Rev. F.A. Ragland.
_Committee on Church Work._--Rev. Graham Taylor, D.D., Rev. Warren F.
Day, Rev. L.B. Maxwell, S.D. Hastings, Esq., O. Davidson, Esq.
_Committee on Mountain Work._--Rev. D.M. Fisk, D.D., Rev. S.E. Lathrop,
Rev. S.A. Norton, Rev. E.P. South, Rev. W.E. Barton, Robert F. Wheeler,
Esq.
A paper on "The American Missionary Association, its Place and Work,"
was read by Secretary M.E. Strieby, and referred to a committee to be
appointed.
Following this, Secretary A.F. Beard read a paper on "The Missionary
View of the Southern Situation," which was referred also to a committee
to be appointed.
The report of the Committee on the Chinese Work was presented by Rev.
Henry A. Stimson, D.D. and accepted, and an address was made by Rev. E.
P. Goodwin, D.D.
The Nominating Committee nominated the following special committees, who
were appointed:
_Committee on Secretary Strieby's Paper._--Prof. G.B. Willcox, D.D.,
Rev. J.F. Dudley, D.D., Rev. E.D. Hill, D.D., Rev. Flavel Bascom, D.D.,
Rev. C.W. Camp, Rev. W.L. Tenney, Rev. J.E. Snowden.
_Committee on Secretary Beard's Paper._--Rev. H.M. Tenney, D.D., Rev.
C.O. Brown, D.D., Rev. E.M. Williams, Rev. E.F. Williams, D.D., Rev.
Calvin Keyser, Deacon G.N. Palmer.
Right Rev. H.B. Whipple, of Minnesota, then addressed the Association on
"The Future of the Indian in our Country."
After which, remarks were made on the Chinese question by Dr. H.A.
Stimson and Rev. M.F. Sargent.
After announcements of committees and programme for the afternoon,
President Taylor pronounced the benediction, and recess was taken until
2 o'clock P.M.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
The Association was called to order by Vice-President Noble. "Saviour,
visit thy plantation," was sung, after which Dr. Noble conducted the
devotional exercises for a half hour.
A paper on "The Future of the Negro in our Country," was read by Rev.
C.H. Richards, D.D., of Wisconsin, and referred to the Executive
Committee with power to publish.
Rev. C.F. Thwing, D.D., unable to be present as announced, forwarded
his address for the use of the Secretaries of the Association.
Rev. A.P. Foster, D.D., presented the report of the Committee on the
Indian Work.
Addresses were then made by Rev. T.L. Riggs, of Oahe, and Rev. C.W.
Shelton, Financial Secretary for Indian Missions.
After singing, "Sow in the morn thy seed," the Association was addressed
by Rev. W.B. Wright, D.D., on the Educational Work, presenting the
report of the committee and speaking in its behalf. Rev. F.P. Woodbury,
D.D., spoke also on the same topic.
After announcements, Dr. Noble pronounced the benediction, and the
Association took a recess until 7:30 P.M.
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
The Association was called to order by Secretary Strieby, who invited
E.W. Blatchford, Esq., of Illinois, to preside during the evening in the
absence of President Taylor. Professor G.B. Willcox led the Association
in prayer.
On being introduced by Secretary Strieby as representing the American
Board, Mr. Blatchford said:
"I have no authority from the American Board to convey to you any
special message; and yet I know that they will be glad to have me
express to you their sentiments of sympathy with you in your work. The
work is one. In carrying forward the work of the American Board and the
American Missionary Association we are obeying the same command of our
Lord: Go ye into all the world and disciple all. We are inspired by the
same prophetic promises, that the time will come when this world shall
obey the command of God as it is obeyed in heaven. In fact, this
gathering is in itself a type of the unity of this work; for as I look
around me I see brethren and sisters representing the different
societies in which we are all interested. I see them here from the New
West Commission; I see the workers and representatives of our Home
Missionary Society; I see, of course, many representatives of the
American Missionary Association, and those deeply interested in the work
of our American Board. So that we have here in this very meeting an
illustration of these words of the Apostle: 'One Lord, one faith, one
baptism.'"
Mrs. J.J.M. Angear, in charge of a Chinese Sunday-school in the First
Congregational Church, Chicago, spoke of her work, her Chinese choir
singing "Stand up for Jesus," and later a verse of "Sweet By and By," in
both English and Chinese.
Representative addresses then followed, Mr. Chin Kue speaking for the
Chinese, Mrs. Elizabeth Winyan for the Indians, Rev. T.L. Riggs
interpreting, and Rev. Mr. McClellan for the Negro. A verse of "Shall we
whose souls are lighted," was sung, after which Rev. W.E. Barton spoke
of the Mountain Whites.
President Eaton's paper was deferred, owing to the lateness of the hour.
After Secretary Strieby had led the Association in prayer and pronounced
the benediction, recess was taken until Thursday morning at 8:30 A.M.
THURSDAY MORNING.
Devotional exercises from 8:30 to 9 o'clock were conducted by Rev. E.S.
Hill. Vice-President Noble called the Association to order.
The minutes of the previous day were read and approved.
A letter to Secretary Strieby from Col. J.M. Keating, of Tennessee, on
the "Southern Problem," was read by Secretary J.E. Roy. A rising vote
was taken, expressing approval of the sentiments of the letter and
requesting the Association to publish it. Dr. F.A. Noble was instructed
to correspond with Col. Keating, assuring him of the Association's
appreciation of his address.
The report on the "Mountain Work," was presented by Rev. D.M. Fisk,
D.D., who followed it by an address.
District Secretary C.J. Ryder read a paper on "The Debt of our Country
to the American Highlanders."
"My Country 'tis of Thee," was then sung, after which Secretary
Ryder's paper was referred to the Executive Committee of the Association
with reference to publication.
President Taylor resumed the chair at this point and introduced Rev.
H.M. Tenney, D.D., who read the report of the committee on Secretary
A.F. Beard's paper. The report was accepted and referred to the
Executive Committee.
An address on the Church Work was made by Rev. C.W. Hiatt, District
Secretary of the Association, and was followed by several brief
addresses on the Mountain Work.
The report and an address was then made by Rev. Graham Taylor, D.D. The
report was accepted and its recommendations adopted.
After announcements, Dr. Noble was instructed to reply to Dr. Arthur
Little, of Massachusetts, in response to his telegram of greeting. After
the benediction by President Taylor, recess was taken until 2 o'clock
P.M.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
The Association was called to order by Vice-President Dr. F.A. Noble. A
verse of the hymn, "In the cross of Christ I glory," was sung. F.J.
Lamb, Esq., read the report of the Committee on Finance, supplementing
the report with a brief address. The report was accepted.
The report on Secretary Strieby's paper was presented by Prof. G.B.
Willcox, D.D. The report was accepted and referred to the Executive
Committee.
Following this, Secretary Strieby made a statement respecting the Hand
Fund. Dr. E.P. Goodwin, President Salisbury and President W.M. Taylor
spoke on the Financial Report, and the report was adopted.
The Association then adjourned to the chapel, and the church was
occupied by the Woman's Missionary Meeting under the auspices of the
Woman's Bureau of the Association. Mrs. George M. Lane, of Detroit,
Michigan, presided. The report was made by the Secretary, Miss D.E.
Emerson, after which addresses were made by the missionaries: On the
mountain work, by Miss Hayes, of Tennessee; on the colored people, by
Mrs. Shaw, of Georgia, and Miss Plant, of Mississippi; and on the
Indians, by Miss Barnaby, a native teacher.
The Nominating Committee reported the following list of officers for the
ensuing year:
_President_,
REV. WM. M. TAYLOR, D.D., LL.D., N.Y.
_Vice-Presidents_,
REV. A.J.F. BEHRENDS, D.D., N.Y.
REV. F.A. NOBLE, D.D., Ill.
REV. ALEX. McKENZIE, D.D., Mass.
REV. D.O. MEARS, D.D., Mass
REV. HENRY HOPKINS, D.D., Mo.
_Corresponding Secretaries_,
REV. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.
REV. A.F. BEARD, D.D., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.
_Recording Secretary_,
REV. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.
_Treasurer_,
H.W. HUBBARD, Esq., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.
_Auditors_,
PETER McCARTEE,
CHAS. P. PEIRCE.
_Executive Committee_,
_For Three Years._
S.B. HALLIDAY,
SAMUEL HOLMES,
SAMUEL S. MARPLES,
CHARLES L. MEAD,
ELBERT B. MONROE.
_For One Year._--ALBERT J. LYMAN.
A ballot was taken and the brethren named were elected. After the
benediction by the President, recess was taken until 7:30 P.M.
THURSDAY EVENING.
The Association was called to order by President Taylor. "Stand up,
stand up for Jesus," was sung, after which Rev. Simeon Gilbert, D.D.,
led in prayer.
The records of the previous sessions of the day were read and approved,
and the Secretary was instructed to complete the minutes.
The invitation to hold the next Annual Meeting in Northampton,
Massachusetts, was accepted.
President George A. Gates, of Iowa College, addressed the Association,
and was followed by an address by President Cyrus Northrop, D.D., of
Minnesota, and also by President E.D. Eaton, D.D., of Wisconsin.
The closing address of the Association was made by President Taylor.
The following minute read by Secretary Roy was then adopted:
When, just eighteen years ago, this city was smoldering in the
ruins of the great fire, which had consumed the holy and
beautiful house of this New England Church and the homes of
every family in it, the pastor, searching among the ashes
within these walls for some memento, found a charred leaf of
the pulpit hymn-book on which he was able to decipher these
words:
"Daughter of Zion, awake from the dust,
Exalt thy fallen head:
Rebuild thy walls, thy bounds enlarge,
And send thy heralds forth."
That hymn was sung at the first service in the rough board
tabernacle erected upon this spot.
We give thanks to God this day for the faith and courage by
which this people did awake from the dust and rebuild these
walls, and by which they have gone on building up their
spiritual temple and participating largely in the whole round
of service for extending the Redeemer's kingdom, a part of
which has been the inviting and the welcoming of this
missionary convocation to their sanctuary and to their homes,
and for which, to them, along with all others in the sister
churches who have joined them on this occasion in exercising
this grace of hospitality, we express our heartiest thanks.
We here call to mind with grateful emotion one of the manliest
of men, one of the truest disciples of Christ, Dea. C.G.
Hammond, who counted it an honor to have ministered at this
altar from the day of its setting up to the day of his
translation, and who for many years had served as one of the
Vice-Presidents of this Association, and had been giving
largely of his substance to its treasury.
At this closing hour, we are also thankfully reminded that the
First Congregational Church of this city was ready thirty years
ago to entertain this Association in the days of its weakness
and of its cross-bearing witness for Christ and for his lowly
poor: and likewise, ten years ago, to open its doors to receive
the same body then brought along by the providence of God to a
position of honor and extended usefulness.
And so we gratefully name the Union Park Church, which is now
lending us its pastor as one of our Vice-Presidents, and which,
with the other two churches mentioned, has furnished us with
the three grand annual sermons of Drs. Goodwin, Noble, and
Little, and the Plymouth Church, which, from the day of its
organization, with its testimony and its offerings, has stood
by this Association, and all the other churches of this
vicinage, grown now to be such a comely sisterhood, which have
shared with these others in the support of our work.
To the four great railway passenger associations, which have
extended to us their courtesies; to the city press, which has
so immensely broadened the influence of this missionary
convocation; to the gentlemen who, at no small sacrifice of
time and labor, have honored this occasion by their addresses,
reports, and clerical service; and to our honored and beloved
President, who has guided our deliberations with such skill and
grace, we express our obligations of thanks.
Rev. Norman Seaver, D.D., responded for the New England Church. He said
there was a saying that lightning never struck the same place twice,
yet, though it fell to him to welcome the Association, it had also
fallen to him to respond to this vote of thanks. He had asked Secretary
Beard what he would say on this occasion, and was answered, in his witty
way, "Tell us Godspeed, and we are glad to get rid of you." Dr. Seaver
felt that the local people were the recipients, and the visitors the
benefactors in what had been done. The President had inspired them with
his spirit; he had not withdrawn his presence, and very late might he
return to the heavens. Students and young ministers had been benefited
by listening to those many learned men and devoted servants of God, and
were inspired for future usefulness. "We are not the benefactors, we are
the recipients, and we wish you Godspeed."
After having sung the doxology, with the benediction by President
Taylor, the Association adjourned, to meet at Northampton,
Massachusetts, for its next Annual Meeting.
J.C. ARMSTRONG, }
} _Secretaries._
E.S. WILLIAMS, }
* * * * *
SUMMARY OF TREASURER'S REPORT.
EXPENDITURES.
THE SOUTH.
For Church and Educational Work, Land,
Buildings, etc. $255,083.84
THE CHINESE.
For Superintendent, Teachers,
Rent, etc. 11,070.75
THE INDIANS.
For Church and Educational Work,
Buildings, etc. 51,781.00
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
For Superintendent, Missionaries, etc.,
for Missions in Africa, income paid
to the A.B.C.F.M. 4,754.22
For Support of Aged Missionary,
Jamaica, W.I. 250.00
PUBLICATIONS.
For American Missionary, (23,200 monthly),
Annual Reports, Clerk-hire,
Postage, etc. 7,230.31
AGENCIES.
NEW YORK.--Woman's Bureau, Secretary,
Traveling Expenses, Circulars, etc. 1,361.74
FOR EASTERN DISTRICT.--District Secretary,
Clerk-hire, Traveling Expenses, Printing,
Rent, Postage, Stationery, etc. 4,589.59
FOR WESTERN MIDDLE DISTRICT.--District
Secretary, Traveling Expenses, Printing,
Rent, Postage, Stationery, etc. 1,246.33
FOB WESTERN DISTRICT.--District Secretary,
Agents, Clerk-hire, Traveling
Expenses, etc. 6,196.97
ADMINISTRATION.
For Corresponding Secretaries, Treasurer,
and Clerk-hire 12,505.00
MISCELLANEOUS.
For Rent, Care of Rooms, Furniture,
Repairs, Fuel and Light, Books and
Stationery, Rent of Safe Deposit Boxes,
Clerk-hire, Postage, Traveling Expenses,
Expressage, Telegrams, etc. 5,541.43
Annual Meeting 577.05
Wills and Estates 3,385.07
Annuity Account 407.93
Amounts refunded, sent to Treasurer
by mistake 122.77
-----------
$366,104.00
Debt Sept. 30, 1888 5,641.21
-----------
371,745.21
Balance on hand September 30, 1889 4,471.67
----------- $376,216.88
==========
RECEIPTS.
From Churches, Sabbath Schools, Missionary
Societies and Individuals $189,299.57
Estates and Legacies 114,020.41
Income, Sundry Funds 10,947.26
Tuition and Public Funds 34,126.69
Rent 506.36
United States Government, for Education
of Indians 16,408.85
Slater Fund, paid to Institutions 8,899.99
Sale of Property 2,007.75
---------- $376,216.88
==========
DANIEL HAND FUND, INCOME ACCOUNT.
Income received to September 30, 1889 $36,999.71
Amount expended $20,311.15
Balance in hand and appropriated 16,688.56
---------- 36,999.71
==========
RECEIPTS FOR THE WORK OF THE YEAR 1888-89.
For Current Work $376,216.88
Income from Daniel Hand Fund 36,999.71
Total ----------- $413,216.59
ENDOWMENT FUNDS RECEIVED DURING THE YEAR 1888-89.
The Daniel Hand Fund for the Education
of Colored People, Securities
received, face value $1,000,894.25
Foltz Endowment Fund, Estate of Rev.
Benjamin Foltz. (Balance) 500.00
------------- $1,001,394.25
H.W. HUBBARD, Treasurer,
56 Reade Street, New York.
* * * * *
THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION--ITS PLACE AND WORK.
BY SECRETARY M.E. STRIEBY.
We commemorate the forty-third anniversary of the American Missionary
Association. During these years, its place and work have become somewhat
definitely settled, and I take this occasion to set forth the position
that it now holds in relation to its constituents, its sister societies,
and the great work providentially thrown upon it.
1. The Association recognizes the control of its constituents. That
recognition was one of the corner-stones on which it was founded. It
sought its members and its funds from persons of evangelical faith and
practical morality. Of such, it offered membership to any one who
contributed to its funds. Thus broadly was it placed on a popular basis.
At length, however, it began to be felt by many of its supporters that
there were evils in this method--that the acts of the society were
liable to be regulated by the local attendance at each annual meeting,
and that such meetings might easily be "packed" to carry out a purpose.
The officers of the Association, true to the cardinal principles of its
founders of control by its constituents, welcomed the discussion and
cheerfully accepted the present constitution, which was adopted after
due deliberation. That constitution designates as voters, life members
and delegates from the churches, local conferences and state
associations. The Executive Committee believe that we have now reached a
satisfactory basis, but if it shall be the will of the constituents to
make further modifications hereafter, the fundamental principle of the
Association will dictate a ready acceptance of any change that will not
set aside the evangelical, missionary, and philanthropic basis on which
the Association was founded, and that will not impair contracts or
endanger invested funds. The Association belongs, under Christ, to its
constituents.
2. The work of the Association embraces all forms of effort in both the
church and the school. It was organized and chartered as a _missionary_
society. This was its fundamental aim. It was not till 1869,
twenty-three years after its organization, that the word "educational"
was put into its charter. But this change did not alter the character
of its work--_the school is missionary, the church an educator_--and
this church and school work are inseparably blended. The people among
whom it labors are children in knowledge, and will remain so for a long
time, for there are millions of blacks, mountain whites, Indians, and
Chinese in our country who cannot read and write. In Northern
communities where the children grow up in Christian homes and are
environed in cultured society, with the best of common schools, the
church finds the material for its membership, so far forth, prepared to
its hand, but among these millions of unlettered peoples the church, if
it is to be pure and intelligent, must be the outgrowth of the Christian
school; and the branches of the tree might as well be expected to grow
up without the roots, as such churches without these schools. The work
among them begins in the primary school, and follows them through all
departments of industrial, normal, collegiate and theological
instruction.
In all this long process the teachers are with them at every step--in
the shop, the school, the Sunday-school, the prayer meeting, and the
church, and often the principal of the school is the pastor of the
church. Thus the church, which grows up within or along side of the
school, gets the priceless boon of the personal example and influence of
these Christian teachers, in refining the manners and in making
character; and as the pupils are converted they enter the church to
become its stable members and intelligent officers. On the other hand,
the families in the church, with their kindred and friends, furnish the
pupils for the school and help to sustain it by their money and prayers,
both the church and the school being stronger by their mutual support
and more potent in their influence in the community than if they stood
apart. And even after the scholars have left the school and have entered
upon the business of life, the Association is especially fitted to
gather them into churches. It has occurred in several instances, in
starting new churches beyond the range of our schools, that we have
found them to be made up first almost wholly of graduates and students
from our different institutions, and that these have remained the most
intelligent and reliable members.
We have found, too, that when a church was thus organized where we have
no school, we are very soon importuned to start one. In localities with
a scattered population there might not be sufficient public funds to
open a colored public school; in many more places they would sustain the
school for only two months in the year, and in larger towns it sometimes
has happened that these public schools were of such a character that the
parents begged for a Christian school as a means of saving the moral
purity of their children. Thus, in every way, and under all
circumstances, the school and the church need and help each other. And
what is true of the colored people is equally true of the whites in the
mountains and elsewhere, among whom the Association is working so
auspiciously, planting its schools and churches in mutual helpfulness.
The suggestion that all the church work of the denomination in the
home-field be given to one society, and all the educational be
concentrated in one other society, deserves thoughtful consideration,
for it meets with this very serious objection, that it provides for but
one collection for work that now receives two or three. The experience
of our churches is conclusive against the hope that one enlarged
collection would be given to the one society. For a time, a brief time,
spasmodic efforts might, as in former cases, result in some special
contributions, but the new experiment would certainly be more
disastrous, if it should fail, than those already tried, because it
would involve far greater interests.
It is not to be supposed for a moment that such consolidation is
contemplated in order that the churches may escape the large
responsibility now resting upon them; and if economy and efficiency are
the only objects sought, we fear the result would be disappointing. Such
an arrangement would not save in the number of workers in the field, and
surely it is not wise business management to leave great interests
inadequately supervised. Even if the consolidated society were divided
into separate departments or bureaux, the supervision could not be less,
if efficient, while the combination would be likely to lead to
complications, and would weaken, in the several departments, the sense
of individual responsibility and take away the impulse of historic life
and achievement.
More work well managed and vigorously pushed seems to me to be the only
plan that will satisfy the Christian conscience or meet the approval of
the Master.
3. The work of the Association extends to all races of men. This claim
is sanctioned by the fraternal agreement existing between it and the
American Home Missionary Society, by its own history, and by the needs
of the field. The agreement with the sister society says explicitly that
the Association is "to pursue its educational and church work in the
South among _both races_." The history of the Association shows that at
the beginning the populations reached by it in America were _all white_
except the Indians and a few colored refugees in Canada.