These forty-three years under review have been memorable in the history of this Nation.  They have witnessed the reign of slavery in the height of its arrogant domination.  They have seen the rising protest of conscience and religion against that domination, with the mad resistance of slavery, until it culminated in one of the bloodiest wars of modern times.  They have beheld a united Nation emerge from the conflict, and not a slave in all its broad land.  They have seen the uplifted hands and hearts of the freedmen grasping for knowledge.  And, last of all, they behold the new power seated on the throne vacated by slavery, dooming the colored man to a position of inferiority scarcely less degrading than slavery itself.

Along all these lines the sympathies and efforts of the Association have run.  It pleaded for the slave in his bondage, when to do so cost odium and ostracism; it joined with others in the appeal against slavery, with the hope that righteousness would avert the calamity of war.  When the slave came forth free, it went with prompt hands to fit him for his new position, and now, as he enters the long and dark struggle against poverty, ignorance and race-prejudice, it girds itself for the great struggle, armed with what have ever been its only weapons, the light of knowledge and the love of the gospel of Christ.  The contest may be long, the work will be great, but the triumph must be sure.  May the church of Christ, the patriots of the land, and the abundant blessing of the Almighty God strengthen and help us in this great undertaking!

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THE MISSIONARY VIEW OF THE SOUTHERN SITUATION.

BY SECRETARY A.F.  BEARD.

The Southern problem is a National peril.  Problems are not always perils.  This is a problem large with political and religious perils, and whether political or religious it can not be ignored, nor can its consideration be postponed.  It is here.  It is our problem.  It is nearer to the South, and more immediate, than to the North, but it is ours.  We are not foreigners in any part of this country.  It has been settled once for all that we are to be fellow citizens in a common country when we come from Boston to Chicago and when we go from New York to New Orleans.  The problem which belongs to a country to which we belong, is ours.  This might as well be understood.  We have no right to take our hands off from that of which we are a part and which is a part of us.  No part can say to another, it is not your concern.

This is true politically.  Thrice true is it religiously—­Christian faith is not confined to State boundaries.  It belongs everywhere.  The problem is not a new one.  It has its roots bedded deep in history.  When years ago it began to be discussed by a few they were called agitators, as if the discussion of right and wrong were itself a wrong, as if the letting in of light upon the darkness were a deed of darkness.  Nevertheless, the Nation became thoughtful over the question of the rights of man.  While it was musing the fire burned, and an irrepressible conflict came.  In the issue it was settled that no man should be held by another man in involuntary servitude in this common and inseparable country.