The organization took place in perilous times. Many societies were being engulfed by formalism, and death. This life-boat was a timely aid to rescue the perishing. Thousands will thank God to all eternity for their salvation through this instrumentality. The casual observer might have entertained grave doubts in her ability to navigate the stormy sea of life, and cope with other crafts claiming to be engaged in the life saving service, but presenting sails of a decidedly different character; but no where drawing fire from the enemy, but worldly commendation. It is true, her external appearance did not, and does not, give to those that merely gaze upon the outer appearance, much to hope for. When the Ericsson Monitor steamed up Hampton Roads, rebels laughed and our fleet were in great alarm, expecting complete destruction by the iron-clad Merrimac. She had already destroyed several ships. Now, what the rebels called the Yankee cheese box puts in her appearance just in time to save the balance of the fleet from utter destruction. The Monitor had a power out of sight that deceived those that merely saw the outside. This is true of our beloved church. When first launched, she was called a _Cheese_ box--a Dug-out--an old Scow--a Theatre, and many other names she received. Nevertheless, wherever this life-boat touched in former days she took passengers aboard, some from the hedges, lanes, by-ways, the poor, the lame, the halt, the blind, and many from other churches; and with former _equipments_, rebels are taken upon all seas for King Emanuel--even to-day. It is an acknowledged fact, past and present, that the F. M. church has been of untold value to all other evangelical bodies, and to Christianity in particular--especially in the United States. It has caused them to consider in a new light the claims that God had upon His people, that holiness of heart and life was binding upon all. I have heard some of the most eminent for piety and usefulness in other churches say that above stated; and that they hoped the free church would continue to succeed, because of the great value she had been to them. Her position as standard-bearer in all the moral reforms of the day, gives her a prominent position. _Our schools_, papers, periodicals, are all on that line. Other church papers have often used our editorials, but did not always give due credit.