valent.

Your committee rejoice that the day of small things, in our work in
this field, is already becoming the day of larger things, with a wide
outlook into a permanent and brighter future. In two normal schools,
two academies, five common schools and twenty churches the few loaves
and fishes seem to be at hand. "But what are they among so many?" We
are grateful for the enlargement which the past year has disclosed,
for the new church and school building, find the rapidly advancing
dormitory and boarding hall at Pleasant Hill, Tenn., and for the
slightly increased accommodations in the Grand View Normal Institute,
but we see clearly that enlargement only necessitates greater
enlargement. The meagreness of the supply renders the destitution
more manifest. The little which has been done, and well done, only
gives louder voice to the demand _to do_.

One of the most encouraging features of the work, and one which we
believe should be particularly emphasized, is the possibility of its
comparatively speedy self-support, if it be pushed forward rapidly.
It is a work which must be done to-day, and it can be done because
these people, even in their poverty, will do their part. This is
abundantly shown, not only by their disposition regarding it, but
also by their deeds in its behalf.

The influence of the work among the mountain whites upon the general
Southern work of the Association should be carefully recognized. Here
is a vantage point which can be carried, and which must be carried
for the success of our great campaign in the South. To neglect this
present duty is to be culpable regarding the future of the
Association's activity. Problems of caste and questions bound up with
them, can, at least in part, be settled in this field. Those needed
concrete illustrations, which will tend most powerfully toward their
general settlement, can here be furnished. We do not believe that the
conquest of the West is of more importance to our Home Mission work
than is the conquest of these Southern highlands to that of the
A.M.A. It is our opinion, therefore, that there should be in this
department steady and rapid advance, and that it should no longer be
tided along.

We fear that the facts regarding the peculiar character of this
mountain work are not sufficiently known, and that its bearing upon
the general work of the Association is not adequately realized.

We feel that a special examination of this field may wisely be
comm