Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-11-03
American Missionary Association.

The twenty-ninth annual meeting Of the
American Missionary Association was held
at AIiddletown, Connecticut the 9th and
2sth of October. Rev. Edward fIawes, of
New Haven, was called to the chair The
report of the executive committee opened
with warm tribute 10 the memory Of the
late president, Hon. William A. Bucking-
ham, and set forth an encouraging report of
both the educational and the religious work
Of the society Alike among the freedmen,
the Indians and the Chinese there has been
marked prosperity. Churches have been en-
larged and schools have reached a higher
grade Of efficiency. Indians, among whom
agents aud farmers, appointed by the secre-
tarics of this society, are at work, have adj
yanced in civilization, and improved, both in
the tone Of their home life and in apprecia.
ton Of whatsoever things are pure, lovely
and Of good report"
The financial status Of the association is
less gratifying. Starting with the contribu-
tons Of a few jealous abolitonists the in
come Tor many years, was little over $50,
600 per annum After the war, at one time
it ran mp to more than 100000. Since
then there has been a serious falling of, and
now there is nearly 100000 debt upon the
society. It is true, there are assels--gifts
aud requests from various sources worth
far more than the amount Of debt, but they
cannot now be sold without great sacrifice.
1t is a deplorable fact that some Of the asso-
Citations schools South, have been closed for
lack Of funds, and the children in them al
lowed to go to the ever-ready institutions of
the Papal church.
Wednesday evening, Rev. Prof. Bar
bour, Of Bangor preached a most appropri-
ate sermon from "Charity never faieth."
lie set forth Christian love as never failing
in its response to any call to bless never
failing in timely response to calls never fail
ing Of uniform success, and never failing be.
cause OF its immortality. The entire dis
course was heard with intense interest
Thursday morning, three valuable papers
were presented; the first from Dr. Bacon,
read by Rev. Mr.. Eustis the second, by Rev.
Edward llawes, of New Haven, upon
Slavery and the slave trade; ;" and the third,
by Rev. NJ. NJ. G. Dana, of Norwich, upon
The relation Of the freedmen of America
to the work of Christianizing Africa" Mr..
IIawes gave a terrible picture of horrors
daily enacted in Africa, and Mr.. Dana stir
red every heart by the vigorous putting Of
his theme. He called upon the association
to realize that its work is vital to the inter
csts of two continents; to educate its col
ored students with reference to missionary
work beyond the sea, and at an early date to
establish mission of colored men in the
heart of the African continent. Rev Joshua
| Colt presented resolutions in sympathy with
these recommendations. Rev. Dr. Hamlin,
of Constantinople, Rev Lewis Grout, of
Vermont, and the editor of the New York
Witness, earnestly seconded the resolutions,
and urged home the idea that Africa must
be evangelical by Africans
The Rev, Mr. Harding, of Longmeadow,
suggested the exceeding Importance of en-
tering the open country of the Soudan, upon
the wave of popular interest created by the
present movement of the khedive Of Egypt
lie would have an industrial and agricul-
tural school speedily established above the
first cataract of the Nile. The Rev. Mr.
| Bidwell, of the New York Ecpngeiisf, ex-
pressed his conviction that the Khedive
would cordially respond to any reasonable
proposition from the society in reference to
establishing religious or educational insttu-
tons in his realm-a conviction drawn from
personal interviews with the Egyptian mon
arch. Later Mr. Howard, of Chicago, intro
duced Il resolution, appointing committee
to memorabilia the United States government,
requesting it to sustain the Khediye in his
endeavoring to suppress the slave trade
In the afternoon report on the Indian
work of the association was presented by
Rev. VIM. S. Palmer of Norwich. The re-
port was followed by glowing words from
the Hon. A. b. Meacham, of Oregon, ex-
| Superintendent of Indian affairs and chair
man of the late Modoc Peace Commission.
Mr. Meacham survived a dozen bullet
wounds, received at the time of Gen. Can
by's assassination; but is still a most enthu-
siastic defender of President Grants peace
policy. lie insisted that military posts
among the Indians have never failed of de-
moralizing those they claimed to protect.
Under military influence, the Modocs dwin-
died from one thousand four hundred to
seven hundred and fifty. The Rev. A. p.
Marvin presented the report upon the work
among the Chinese, and was followed by
impressive remarks from the Rev. Mr.. Par
sons, of Boston,
Rev. Mr. Fessenden, of Pennington,
Conn, presented report upon finance,
heartily appreciative of the course pursued
by the executive committee the past year.
and earnestly commencing the association to
more generous contributions of the churches
Rev. DIR. IIamlin, of Constantinople, and
Rev. Lewis Grout, Of Vermont, administered
the sacrament of the Lords Supper,
The evening was occupied by paper
from Secretary Woodwork, aud miscel-
laneous addresses. The sessions were all
well attended, and must make an abiding
impression for good,
A