After returning thanks to Mr. Ballard for his noble gift, which brought the assembly together, to Messrs. Pettit and DeHaven for the fidelity with which they have wrought, to Prof. Zettler for his counsel, and to the Christian friends who have helped and encouraged the work by their sympathy, Dr. Beard gave an address full of information, concerning the work of the American Missionary Association, its aims, encouragements, and results. He emphasized the importance of making a right use of blessings, and spoke of the danger that attends all effort to help others, that it may become a hindrance instead of a help, according to the way in which it is received. He left a well-defined impression that it is the aim of the organization which he represents so to supplement the efforts of those who are trying to help themselves, that true independent manhood and womanhood shall be developed. He then introduced the subject of a change of name for Lewis Normal Institute. He stated that it was with the hearty concurrence of Gen. Lewis that he now announced that this school should be henceforth known as BALLARD NORMAL SCHOOL. When Dr. Beard closed, Mr. Furcron, President of the Macon Sunday School Union, (Colored,) rose and made a motion in behalf of the colored people of Macon, that a rising vote of thanks be tendered to Mr. Ballard for this beautiful building and its convenient and tasteful furnishings. Dr. Warren made a special request that the franchise be extended so as to include the white friends present, that all might vote. It was responded to by the whole assembly's rising. After the benediction, the various rooms were visited and admired. The beauty and convenience of the rooms, the fine pictures on the walls, the beautiful desks and chairs for the teachers, the elegant Steinway piano, the bell, and the handsome stoves, were all noted and heartily commended. The day passed off pleasantly with but one regret, viz; that Mr. Ballard was not with us to share in our joy and to let us all see his happiness in doing good to others. * * * * * TEN YEARS AT THE FRONT. BY REV. STANLEY B. LATHROP. The month of November, 1888, completed the cycle of ten years of my active service in the work of the American Missionary Association. They have been years of intense interest and great enjoyment. Ten years of study, four in the army, and eight years of pastoral labor in Wisconsin preceded; but of all these marked periods, none have been more truly enjoyable and fruitful than these last ten years of preaching the gospel to the poor. It has been my good fortune to visit at various times most of the prominent points in the work of the Association in the South, both in the colored and in the mountain white departments. And so, from this decennial standpoint of experience and observation, I want to put on record a few thoughts which have been simmering in my mind.