As now conducted, the agencies of the Association are directly concerned with all grades of instruction, embracing common day schools, boarding schools, normal schools, chartered colleges, theological and other professional schools; blending also with mental, moral and spiritual culture the teaching of industrial occupations, and a training in good manners and right behavior in all relations. It seems best that the work should continue to have this multifarious character, that it may mold the whole life of this race as it rises into free manhood and full citizenship, and bring a positive religious influence to qualify the whole movement. Nevertheless, it is to be desired and expected that, in the progress of events, the way will be open for systems of public instruction to be introduced and maintained at the South which will provide for the primary education of negroes as well as white men, and so in time relieve the Association of much of its elementary work. In this matter our wisdom is to fall in with the indications of Providence, with no special anxiety either to hasten or to hinder the steps of the movement, but to do our utmost to prepare the way for wise and right action when it comes. As a missionary society we must for a long time give chief attention to the education of teachers and preachers for the colored people. That must be done at the South, for Christianity and civilization can never be regarded as fully established among a people till from among themselves, in their own home country, are drawn out trained teachers, leaders and ministers of religion. Our normal schools, colleges and theological seminaries must, therefore, absorb, in large measure, the vigorous efforts and resources of this Association, that the foundations of these institutions may be strengthened and their courses of instruction advanced and improved, and especially that aid maybe judiciously extended to the young men and women who come out of great poverty to seek the advantages of these institutions and to offer themselves for the service of Christ among their own people. The report very fitly emphasizes this last-named need, and we do earnestly commend it to the consideration and timely beneficence of our churches.