1. One is the Providential call of this Association to Tropical Africa. At the beginning of its existence, as Abraham heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Get thee out of thy country, into a land I will shew thee,” so the fathers of this Association heard the call of God and entered the Dark Continent, anticipatory of those great events about to transpire. In 1842, when the Mendi Mission was established by the return of the Amistad captives, who had been freed from slavery in America, the most important parts of Central Africa were either left blank on our maps, or filled up with great deserts, mountains of the moon, and figures of lions and dragons. It was known, however, that the Mendi country was a great slave preserve, from which ten thousand black people were sent annually into bondage. The Amistad Committee at once pre-ëmpted a portion of that great and wonderful missionary field, which is now so signally attracting the attention of the civilized world. 2. A second point of interest pertains to the land that has been shown us. By turning to your maps, you will discover that the back lot of the Mendi Mission extends eastwards 4,200 miles, on the parallel of about seven degrees north latitude, over a fertile zone of tropical country. Mr. Stanley tells us the object of his journey was, “To flash a torch of light across the western half” of this zone. Other explorers have contributed their light. Lieutenant Burton, in ’57, carried his torch as far as the Tanganyika. Captain Speke announced to the world about the same time that he had discovered a mighty inland sea, surrounded on every side by the “richest and pleasantest garden in the world;” and the Victoria Nyanza Lake, with Mtesa’s kingdom, were added to our knowledge and wealth--alluring alike to the statesman, merchant and missionary. Meanwhile David Livingstone moved up from the southeast, illumining the whole regions of the Zambezi River--the Nyassa, Bangweolo and Tanganyika Lakes--proceeding as far as Nyangwe on the unknown Lualaba--scattering through all his reports those seed thoughts respecting Christian missions, that have developed into desires to carry the light of life to the “real heathen” in those latitudes. Then, Sir Samuel Baker called the attention of the world afresh to ancient Ethiopia, with one hundred and forty millions of acres of the richest land in the world; covered with millions of people, herds of cattle, and a varied and luxurious vegetation. Discovering also the Albert Nyanza Lake, embosomed amidst mountain ranges--the abodes of frost and snow--and hardy, warlike tribes. Dr. Schweinfurth also penetrated far into the back lot of our mission; flashing his chemical and botanical light, revealing most beautiful flora--every variety of fauna and fish--to say nothing of pigmies and giants. Neither has Commander Cameron contributed the least by his