But the second essential principle of Congregationalism, self-development, is no less eminent. This necessitates organization and co-operation. Each church cultivates its own field, but its field expands into all the world. It looks over into the Dark Continent, and sends forth some of its young men and women to win, perchance, the martyr’s crown. Every such effort is development, strength. It brings in health and power. The working church alone grows and thrives. This is the nature of the Congregational church. Without this element of self-development into active Christian graces, the church, of whatever material formed, will remain in the weak and callow state of permanent and persistent chickenhood, and in cold nights it must be wrapped in cotton wool to keep it from dying. Now these churches of our Association have gone vigorously to work. They have done well. The facts enumerated in the Report, and to which we have briefly referred, prove this. Let us cheer them and urge them on to greater effort. The whole race will rise just so far as it shall put forth what strength it has. The third great requisite of the Congregational church is self-support. From the way in which missionary churches come into existence, this is apt to be the most difficult principle to apply. They are weak at the beginning and must be aided. Their real wants are pressing—a pastor, church building, school-house, school. But all these are so precious to them, to their children and their posterity, that great exertion and self-denial on their part should be called forth. No one should be admitted to church membership who will not do something for these great objects. It is safe to follow the teachings of Paul to the poor Corinthians. Let it be well understood that church membership in a Congregational church means the true Christian manhood of self-support. Let them be taught systematic giving. This will consecrate all duties and all true enterprise. This will bind the church and the pastor together, and will help them to have the spirit of Him who pronounced it more blessed to give than to receive. This will purify the church. Give alms of such things as ye have, and behold all things shall be clean unto you. As in the foreign field, so in the home, with all due safeguards, let us raise the banner, self-government, self-development, self-support. This is true Congregationalism and true Christianity.—_Cyrus Hamlin, Chairman._ * * * * * ADDRESS OF PRES. CYRUS HAMLIN.