_Our Annual Meeting._--It was a very diminutive affair, compared with that which, at the same time, was going on so grandly at Lowell; or with the one which, just now, as I am writing, is--I trust--in successful progress at Norwich. What a privilege and a joy I should feel it to be if I were there, instead of here! That is denied me, so far as bodily presence is concerned; but I am free to be there in thought, and, in the solitude of my study, to mingle my prayers with yours. They meet before one throne of grace. _Our_ annual meeting is one of the features of the annual convocation of our Congregational churches in California, which was held this year with the First Church in Oakland. The time assigned us in the programme was from 10:45 to 12:30 on Thursday, Oct. 7th. I should think that 250 persons were present. Rev. J. K. McLean, D. D., pastor of that church, and President of our Mission, occupied the chair. After a hymn and prayer, the reports of the Treasurer and of the Board of Directors were presented. The principal facts set forth in these reports have been laid before the Association at its meeting now going on, and need not be re-stated here. There was, however, a novel feature in the Treasurer’s report--novel to us, however it may be to others--which stirred some of our friends not a little. We have always had more work at hand than we could possibly do with the means at our command; but we have tried to “cut the garment according to the cloth,” and have so far succeeded as never to report a _deficit_, in current expenses till this year. This was our novelty. Our friends did not like its looks any better than we did. The President took it in hand and shook it, at an expense to himself of $10. Rev. Dr. Mooar followed with another shake, at the same cost to his exchequer. Then good Dea. S. S. Smith, and minister after minister, followed in quick succession, till not a shred of it remained, and we find ourselves now with every bill paid, and a balance of $24.25, which we transfer to our Barnes Mission House Building Fund. Cold water was never more refreshing to a thirsty soul than was this spontaneous and unexpected offering--whether considered with reference to its _personelle_ or its results--to the heart of your Superintendent. We don’t mean to give our friends an opportunity to repeat the operation; but we shall remember it with gratitude and pleasure as long as we live. Following this were volunteer speeches, containing earnest expressions of good will and sympathy, and crowding one upon another in such a way that the time allotted proved to be all too short, and the only regret with which we closed the meeting was that so many who wished to speak, and whom we earnestly wished to hear, failed to have that opportunity.