of
this work. This exhibit will be in the chapel of the First
Congregational Church near by the place of meetings.

[Sidenote: 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.

[Sidenote: 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.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: President Cravath.]

The death of President Erastus M. Cravath removes from the counsel
and service of the American Missionary Association one of its most
prominent and successful missionaries. Few men have so largely
affected the life of the nation through educational lines as has
President Cravath. After some years of service in the office of the
Association he became President of Fisk University, and has brought
that institution to the foremost rank in the intellectual and moral
development of the Negroes of this country. An extended obituary
notice is given on other pages of this magazine. Here, the writer,
having had close personal association with President Cravath for many
years, desires to bear his testimony with earnest and loving emphasis
to the large and strong character of the man, and his single and
unwavering purpose to accomplish the largest and best service
possible for those to whom he gave his ministry in unstinted measure.
No one can fill his place, for it was not only large but unique