Several of the earnest, Christian women are having fireside schools for the children in their neighborhoods, and the books are being purchased by many, thus affording good and helpful reading in many homes. Our hearts go up to God in gratitude as we call to mind the co-operation of pastors and people in the plans suggested by the former as well as the present missionaries, and the bountiful way in which God has blessed the efforts which we have together put forth, and we would say in the words of the Psalmist: “Many, O Lord, my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which to usward, they cannot be reckoned up in order to Thee; if I would declare and speak of them they are more than can be numbered.” [Illustration] [Illustration: Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Montgomery, Ala., Rev. R. D. Pollard, Pastor.] _FINAL REMARKS._ We have done well, but we could have done better. George Ruskin gives birth to a great river of thought in the expression, “The more my life _disappointed_ me, the more _solemn_ and the more _wonderful_ it became to me.” We have suffered, it is true, and still we suffer, beneath the prejudice of a mighty people, the movings of whose will and passions none but God can stay. But, as we remember that the Almighty can rule the hearts of men, and that He has promised that the meek (He doesn’t respect persons) shall inherit the earth; that this prejudice about us is not a human essence, but a mere accretion upon human life, rising from abnormal social conditions which are passing away; that disappointment, instead of cowering and disarming us, should rouse us to nerve ourselves with a firmer resolution to endure suffering, to toil, to economize, to increase in knowledge and skill, to fill our homes with love and beauty, to be still more pure in heart and upright in word and deed--as we remember these things, we must confess that we could have done better. Our greatest needs now are: (_a_) A closer walk with God; (_b_) more love and peace at home; (_c_) purer thoughts and more prayer in our hearts; (_d_) a nearer approach to gospel plans in all departments of our church work; (_e_) more race pride and race confidence; (_f_) more of the spirit of Christ in our annual meetings; (_g_) co-operation in business, such as banking and mercantile enterprises. We earn millions of dollars, a large part of which we ought to and can keep among ourselves, and thus strengthen the financial standing of the Negro Race. We need to establish and maintain money operations among ourselves, especially for the following reasons: