We very earnestly commend to the friends of the Association the appeal of its officers for permanent endowments of the higher institutions. The elevation of the colored race must be in large measure the work of colored men and women. But they must first be trained for their work in institutions established among them. Without endowment there is no assurance of permanence in the institutions we have already given them; without endowment they are not established; the labor of the past is not secured from total loss in the future. It needs to be distinctly emphasized, also, that the permanent establishment of educational institutions of a high order is the great work of this Association among the colored men, and the foundation for all uplifting work beside. The continuous training of our schools--intellectual, industrial, social and moral training, all in one--is needed for the development of higher ideals and nobler types of character, and, we are happy to add, has already resulted in such development in not a few of the pupils. This training is needed as a counterpoise to the operation, otherwise mischievous because unbalanced, of some prominent forces of the African temperament; needed to hold the imagination within the limits of reason and righteousness, to curb emotional excess, to save life from becoming the sport of changeful impulses. Experience has proved that the training given changes the type of piety greatly for the better. It is not less fervent, but it is less exclusively and wildly emotional. It becomes more rational, more consistent; it has more of principle and character in it; it is more truly a service of righteousness, more reputable, more effective for good. In order that church membership may be helpful rather than harmful to righteousness, and that church life among the Africans may be genuinely Christian, there is urgent need of a worthier Christian education of the African ministry. It is peculiarly our work to give that education. The general education provided for through our Normal schools is indispensable, that the colored people may deserve and command the respect of their white fellow-citizens at the South; that they may clearly understand their rights as citizens; may know how to secure them and make wise use of them. It has been truly said that the work of uplifting the colored race is, from beginning to end, a long, slow process of education. In that process the Normal schools and higher institutions of the American Missionary Association have a place second in importance to no other. We have begun a good work; the question now is, whether we shall do it or leave it undone through lack of establishing the institutions we have founded.