gather churches. They are all alike missionaries.

Notice, also, what a large proportion of our missionary work is being
done by Christian women. Well did Secretary Hiatt say, "The history of
this Association is a grand and splendid eulogy of woman." "Our sisters
who went South while the sky was yet heavy with the clouds of war from
the homes of refinement and culture and religion," are many of them
remaining until now, and they are continually re-enforced from our best
institutions of learning in the East and in the West. There is a common
fidelity on the shores of the Gulf, in the mountains of the South and
among the tribes of the plains. These men and women in our churches and
schools who have given themselves in consecration and sacrifice to this
service are leading those who have been crushed by oppressions and
wrongs of men, and who have been degraded in ignorance and in sin, to
rise into a new life, and into new habits of thought and feeling.

They are working to rescue millions from the woful inheritances of the
pitiless centuries. They are teaching those who are to be the teachers
of their people. They are preparing those who shall lead their own
peoples. It is not a work of a score of years, nor of half a century. It
is a part of the work of Christianity, whatever time it may take, and we
ask those who pray "_Thy kingdom come_" to remember these missionary
teachers and preachers before God that they may be of good courage,
faithful and patient in their ministering.

_Thirdly._--_These pages represent also the faith and sacrifices of
Christians by which this service of Jesus Christ goes on._ Brethren and
sisters, you who contribute to this work, read in these names assurances
to gladden your hearts and cheer your faith. See what solid regiments of
the Master's army are in the land where slavery has perished, but where