Here is the solution of the Indian problem—the only solution—and here is the work to which we are to gird ourselves afresh. Our first great work, the work which holds in itself all other agencies for Indian civilization, as the oak is held in the acorn, is the preaching of the Gospel to these people, the patient, earnest, loving presentation to them of the glad tidings that “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Instruction in letters, instruction even in virtue is idle without this, and with this all other instruction follows as flowers open at the sunshine. The great trouble with us, brethren, is we are too unbelieving in the efficacy of the Gospel. We seek to supplement it; we think it needs other things; we forget that the Gospel is, and that it alone is, the power of God unto salvation, and we forget, too, what a broad term salvation is, that it covers the godliness which hath the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come. The Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto the salvation of the body, the salvation of the intellect, the salvation of manners and customs, the salvation of society, and it is this power to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. What wonders it has wrought! What wonders it is working now! How would every difficulty in our social state, our vice and crime and poverty, our selfishness and sensuality and woe, all disappear if the Gospel only dwelt among us, a living principle in every heart! We need no other evidence of its divine all-sufficiency than the adaptation it has already shown to every human need, and we need no other motive to its proclamation than the privilege of being co-worker with Him, “Who shall deliver the needy when he crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and the needy, and shall save the soul of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence, and precious shall their blood be in his sight.” * * * * * ADDRESS OF REV. DR. C. I. SMITH AT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL. [The National Council at Concord decided to send fraternal delegates to the African M. E. Zion General Conference, and the African M. E. General Conference; and so Dr. Wm. H. Ward and Rev. Joseph E. Smith, of Chattanooga, were appointed to visit the former, and Revs. J. E. Roy and Wm. A. Sinclair, of Nashville, the latter. The first pair of delegates presented the salutations of the Congregational churches to the Zion Conference meeting in this city in May, 1884; and the second pair did their duty in the other Conference, which met the same month in Baltimore. Whereupon the last-named body appointed Rev. Dr. C. I. Smith, Secretary of its Sunday-school work, to respond at the Chicago National Council. He appeared, and the following is the substance of his eloquent address:]