fifteen years of valorous adherence to
the gospel principles of emancipation, prepared it to launch out upon
its great mission. The demands were almost overwhelming in extent and
variety.

First, Fortress Monroe, then Norfolk and all eastern Virginia, Newport
News, and Port Royal; then the Carolinas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
So closely did the missions follow the victorious armies that by the
time the war-storm had fully cleared away, the American Missionary
Association had 320 missionaries preaching and teaching the gospel to
the freedmen, with 16,000 pupils in its schools. No wonder that it was
said, "Behold how God has fitted this Association for this vast and
mighty work."

The development of this marvelous work has many thrilling chapters
among the forty-nine that have been already written. They tell the
story briefly of the devoted men and women who have been carrying on
the blessed work of emancipation. They show how not less than 3,000
women have given of their best talent and strength to this Christ-like
service. They speak of the perils by shotgun and by fire; of
imprisonment, ostracism, and scorn; of persecution, that it was
believed the progress of the age had made impossible in these later
days, but which the State of Florida has been able to revive. But
these chapters tell also how the truth has been setting many free,
blacks and whites alike, bringing them into a truer conception of
God's fatherhood, man's brotherhood through sonship by Jesus Christ.

The American Missionary Association finds its highest testimonial in
the work itself, in its system of Christian schools, including graded
primaries, academies, normal and industrial schools, in its colleges
in each of five states, and in its advancing church work. Nay, its
best testimonial is in the product from these schools and churches,
the teachers and preachers, lawyers and doctors, the good farmers and
mechanics, the upright mothers and fathers, the sweet though humble
homes, the conscientious Christian citizens, in whose influence and
leadership lies the hope of the African race. It finds its testimonial
in the loyalty and devotion of its missionaries, their self-denial for
the cause they love. It has seen a gifted woman from a home of comfort
going year by year for twenty years to this work of emancipation for
the "bound" in Georgia and Tennessee, among a despised people, and,
when called from earth and earth's opportunities, leaving a libera