carrying the Pilgrim idea into the soil of the Cavalier.  Straight University, Tillotson Institute, and these other schools, are but the outcropping of that old stone down in an Eastern harbor that we call Plymouth Rock.  Down South are being planted those two principles upon which the great superstructure of our liberty rests firm—­a church without a bishop and a state without a king.  This is what Congregationalism is carrying into that land long ruled by aristocracies.  It is giving these people who possess liberty the knowledge of how to use it aright.

Finally we not only hide a multitude of sins, we not only serve the State, but we reach forth a long arm to save the world.  Awhile ago I was in the study of Dr. Ladd.  There, spread before us, were relics of his well remembered cruise along the Nile.  There were implements for rude tillage of the soil, there were swords and spears beaten into shape by barbaric artisans, there were the cats and lizards and toads, objects of worship by unnumbered millions.  Thus were displayed in object lesson the savagery and idolatry of one of the largest families of man.  The Doctor placed his finger on the map at Mendi Mission.  “There,” said he, “I saw a row of missionaries graves.  Their headstones sadly told the tale of the pestilential land.  Two months, three months, nine months they survived, and then fell to rise no more.  No white man can endure the clime.”

Another time I was at a commencement of Fisk University.  I saw Professor Spence take two photographs, and hold them up before the gaze of five hundred intelligent colored youths, whose faces fairly glowed as they looked upon the well-remembered features of two of their alumni, who in Western Africa, if I mistake not, are teaching the gospel of Christ and enduring the rigors of the climate.  And in the glowing features of these five hundred folk, I saw the prophecy of a splendid recruiting of our feeble forces in that continent which by and by shall not be dark.  Ah, this work is grand!  We are putting the cross of Jesus into the dusky hands that shall carry it not only to the land of the pyramids, not only to the land of the ancient wall; but, as I believe, there will come a day when some child now in our schools of the West, some Apache or Dakotan, will rise with apostolic fervor, and going southward along the isthmus and over the mountains will put this transfigured cross of Christ into the pampas and the llanos through which the Amazon and the Orinoco pour their majestic streams.

* * * * *

ADDRESS OF REV.  D.M.  FISK, D.D.

It may be fitting to add a few supplementary words corroborative of the hopeful view taken in this report on the Mountain Work.  At first glance it does seem that this is a discouraging field.  I need not recapitulate what has been said in the report already before you.  It is sufficiently discouraging; the ignorance and poverty are not the worst features.  The position of the clergy in many sections—­I am happy to say not in all—­is full of discouragement.  The worst thing we have to face is the apathy of the people.  Their phrase, “We-uns never asked you-uns to come here,” is certainly most pathetic.