“Brethren, a review of our growth in numbers and influence as a body of Christians, with our original and, in the eyes of the world, peculiar observances as to ordinances in the church, and deportment and customs in the world, is to say the least pleasantly surprising.  Our name as Brethren is hardly a century old, if I am rightly informed; and what are we now?  A legion, not of devils, but of angels for good.  And may I not here add the words of my text, ’Having favor with all the people’?  I do not think these historic words are to be construed to mean that the Brethren of that Pentecostal day had no enemies; but that they had the favor of the disinterested and unprejudiced classes.  This is just what I think we have, where we are known.  There has been a day,—­but thank God that day is past,—­when public opinion, if history be correct, was largely the reverse of what it is with us.  Vice, then, was virtue; and goodness was criminal.  Rebukes of sin and calls to repentance and reformation of life were silenced by the martyr’s faggot and stake.  We cannot here, and we would not if we could, attempt to trace the sublime array of causes, both divine and human, that have contributed to the happy change we now enjoy; but sure it is, we now realize the ideal dream of the far-off seer, described in these words:  ’But they shall sit, every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid.’  We have the favor of the people when we have the favor of the government; for the people are the government.

“Brethren, we have cause for inexpressible emotions of gratitude to God for the favor we enjoy.  The outlook is bright; the sky of promise calm and serene.  It is said that a Grecian patriot and statesman once assumed a very weighty responsibility, which required him to leave his home and State to meet it.  He seemed loath to go.  He expressed fear that things would not go on in his absence as they had in his presence.  Finally, however, he secured a pledge from every member of the Athenian court that no change in the order of government and the laws should be made during his absence.  He went; but such was his love for his country that he never returned.  Brethren, the time is not far distant when I, your humble servant, burning with love for my church and people, will have to leave my home and country.  Nothing, I say nothing, could give me more comfort when I make the start than the assurance on your part that you will make no changes in our faith and rules of order, in church and out, during my absence.  Then will I bid a joyful farewell to all, feeling that no changes from our present order will ever be made, for I will never return.”

MONDAY, May 28.  Our Annual Meeting begins.  Questions received and some motions made.  Stay eleventh night at same place.

TUESDAY, May 29.  Council continues.  Good order and love prevail.  Stay twelfth night at same place.

WEDNESDAY, May 30.  The business having all been disposed of in a way as satisfactory as we could do it, after prayer and the singing of the hymn,