During the year now past, our meetings have been continually sustained, although sickness and absence from the city, especially during most of the summer, have deprived us of the attendance of a large proportion of our members.  Notwithstanding our meetings have been much smaller than we could desire, and sometimes tempted us to be “faint and weary in well-doing,” still we believe that our prayers and consultations have been a source of blessing to ourselves and to our offspring.  We are told that “the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much.”  We feel assured that we can testify to the faithfulness of the promise, for not only can we gratefully acknowledge the love of God in shedding more grace upon our hearts; but the gracious call of the gospel of salvation has been accepted by some of our precious children, and we trust that they are now in the “narrow way that leadeth unto life.”  Oh, may the Spirit of all truth guide their youthful steps through all the thorny mazes of life, preserve them from the alluring and deceitful charms that surround them, and bring them at last to those blissful mansions prepared for those who love and serve God.  We do indeed rejoice with those dear mothers who have been made the recipients of so large a blessing—­that of seeing the precious lambs of the flock gathered into the fold of the Good Shepherd.  Oh, may the prayer of faith ever encircle them in this only safe retreat from the ravening wolves and the hungry monsters of sin!

But whilst we rejoice with those of our number who have been so greatly blessed, we turn with heartfelt sympathy toward those whose hearts have been wrung by the loss, to them, of the objects of their hopes and affections.  Three of the children of members of this Association have died during the past year.  Thus we believe so many sweet angels of God have gone from our midst and escaped the sorrows of this evil world.  Let the dear parents think of them as already far surpassing their own best attainments, and praising the blessed Savior, in the heavenly paradise, and turn their more anxious and diligent thoughts to the living.  Two children have been added by birth to the number of those connected with the Association.

Our membership has not greatly changed within the past year.  Three mothers have united with the Association since the last Annual Report, and three have left us, making the number the same that it was one year since.

While we regret the loss of each and all of those who have departed from our midst, we think it would not be deemed invidious to express our deep sense of the loss we have sustained by the removal from the city of Mrs. Parker, the former secretary.  Her devotion and faithfulness in every sphere of duty, afforded us all an example well adapted to stimulate us in the discharge of our obligations, as well as to guide us in the paths of usefulness.  We hope and pray that she may long be spared to shed a hallowed influence around her wherever her lot may be cast.