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!”

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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.