It is thus demonstrated that negroes are not to be numbered with those races which, like Australians, Hawaiians and American Indians, fade away and disappear in the presence of more civilized races. The negro in warm latitudes has shown his ability, with less than a fair chance, to hold more than his own with the white man. We may no longer hope that the grave problems, social, political and religious, connected with his residence in our land, are to be solved by the gradual extinction of the race. The black man will not die; he must be instructed and evangelized.
3. If we are to have black men and yellow men for our neighbors to the end of time, it is for our interest to be on good terms with them. As a matter of policy it will be best for us to do all we can to make them comfortable—I may even say, companionable neighbors.
It will be remembered by our readers that during the last week in May the six co-operative Societies sustained largely by the Congregationalists, hold anniversary meetings in Boston. This year the meetings were held on Wednesday, the 25th. The day was bright and breezy, and the congregations throughout were larger than usual. The meeting of the American Missionary Association closed the morning session.
A report was made by Secretary Woodworth, reviewing, in brief, the several branches of the work carried on by the Association during the past nineteen years. Mr. Woodworth’s address was replete with facts and statistics, giving a comprehensive view of the importance, success and necessities of the Association.
Rev. J. F. Lovering, of Worcester, was the first speaker. During his address he mentioned the fact that a negro family of his acquaintance, in Massachusetts, found it difficult to rent a house on account of their color, and argued that if there be such prejudices still at the North, we ought not to be surprised if they yet exist at the South. He related several instances coming under his observation during the war, showing the religious nature of the colored people and their love for knowledge, closing his address with a graphic description of a company of colored women and children singing songs of thanksgiving to troops returning from the war.