The American Missionary. Volume 43, No. 12, December, 1889

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

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

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!"

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

BRIEF NOTES

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."

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.

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.

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.