ect; 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