The question is, whether you, who have always been identified with Congregationalism, and still love it, after long trial and large observation, will give it a fair trial South? We rejoice in your plan to move slowly in this, and wisely. We warmly approve your selection of Dr. J. E. Roy to reconnoitre the whole field, and report. Palfrey says, “Faith in God, faith in man, and in work,” was the brief formula taught by the founders of New England. May we not, the children of the Pilgrims, have faith enough in God and in these men to give them the church polity of these founders? We are encouraged to recommend the planting of Congregational churches among the blacks, because we have great advantages in so doing. The eager aspiration of the blacks to be men, will help. Congregationalism has a clean record South. Has any other of our leading denominations? There is no prejudice to be overcome by it, as a polity. In the competitions of the denominations on the ground, will not there be an advantage for us? Then, again, the colored people look upon this Association as a tried friend, and trust it. Is not this an advantage? And, further, has not Providence opened the South to our polity, as well as piety, in a marked manner? The work already accomplished has shown the tree to be good, and given it favor widely, even among the old masters. Hence the aid given to our institutions by several of the States. Hence the high hope of many whites, that our work will do much to tone up the blacks in all that belongs to good citizenship, good morality, and proper church discipline. As Mohammedan Turkey, and Pagan Hawaii and India, have welcomed the Christian homes planted among them by the missionaries, and as the mission churches have been a leaven of light in their social and political life, so it has been, and will more and more be, as you establish your church centres over the South. In conclusion, then, we approve what seems to be the thought of the Executive Committee--to “advance its activities in the direction of saving souls at the South, and organize churches of our polity, as really missionary centres of leavening influence. Let the trial of our polity at the South be a fair and full one, carrying out our ideas of Christian doctrine and morality. Thus, as we pray and believe, will that wilderness the sooner bud and blossom like the rose.” We recommend, therefore, the adoption of the following resolution: _Resolved_, That this Association approves the plan of its Executive Committee--to make a careful examination of the field at the South, and infuse new activity into its church work, organizing churches, where the way is open, on the principles of the Congregational order.