The report shows unmistakable tokens of the Divine favor to this department of our work during the last year. Notwithstanding the pressure of hard times and the embarrassment of debt on our Association, the work has been steadily maintained, the number under instruction has been kept up, and in the normal schools largely increased; the standard of scholarship in the higher institutions has been advanced; strong testimonials of appreciation of the quality of the education given from Southern men of standing and influence, and from Northern visitors, have been multiplied; and above all, God, by the precious work of His Spirit on the souls of students in nearly every one of the institutions under charge of the Association, has owned this work, and taken it into full identification with the plan of His redeeming providence. For all this let our devout thanks be given to Him who permits us to co-operate in His good work of mercy for a lost world. As we enter on a new year of this missionary labor, the signs are full of encouragement and hope. The Association is free from debt, with money in its treasury. A Christian lady has pledged a large benefaction for providing much needed material accommodations for this educational work; the rising sentiment of our nation is demanding new guarantees for the rights of the oppressed Freedmen; old obstacles to the work are giving way, and the return of financial prosperity gives promise of larger means at the disposal of our churches for the Master’s work. May we not hope, also, that a fresh baptism of the Holy Ghost upon the churches, upon the executive officers of the Association, and upon the whole working force of missionaries, teachers and helpers on the field, may inspire all with a new spirit of holy consecration, and lead on this educational work in a movement, fresh and strong, towards the consummation which we seek and which the Lord designs? For this let us fervently pray. A. L. CHAPIN, G. B. WILLCOX, GEO. M. BOYNTON, THOS. N. CHASE, J. BRAND, S. D. COCHRAN. * * * * * CHURCH WORK. Report of the Committee on Church Work in the South—Abbreviated.