committee, consisting of Mr. Warren F. Draper, treasurer of Abbot
Academy since 1876, chairman; Prof. J. W. Churchill, Andover, and Mr.
James White, Boston. All these gentlemen are trustees, and in the
heartiest sympathy with the high aims of the institution. The plans thus
approved by the trustees were laid before the Alumnae Association at a
meeting in June, 1885, and enthusiastically approved. It was then found
that they had in their treasury an accumulation of small gifts amounting
to between seven and eight thousand dollars, which they had been
collecting for the purpose, and the announcement that the trustees, at
the first meeting held for the purpose, had subscribed $12,500, was
deemed very encouraging. Since that time the trustees have increased
their subscription two thousand dollars, and, through the efforts of
Miss McKeen, Andover people have pledged about $10,000. In short, about
$36,000 has been raised up to the present time. But new buildings will
cost $100,000; perhaps, even with the most vigilant and judicious
economy, $150,000. Where and how can the remainder be obtained? It
occurred to many friends that it would be a pleasant and perhaps a
profitable thing to have a social meeting in Boston to consider the
question and inspect the plans. Mrs. Daniel Chamberlin (before marriage
Miss Abbie W. Chapman), the popular and efficient acting-principal of
Abbot Academy in 1853, and now president of its Alumnae Association,
kindly offered her pleasant parlors in Chester Square for the purpose.
There on the 12th of January, was held a most delightful gathering,
where the speakers were as choice as they were felicitous, and the
company as rarely homogeneous as heartily interested.

Rev. Edward G. Porter of Lexington, one of the trustees, to whose
indefatigable efforts the occasion owed a large portion of its success,
called the meeting to order, and in the absence of Hon. Rufus S. Frost,
who had been expected to preside, invited Professor Churchill to the
chair. Professor Churchill whose gift of graceful speech never fails,
introduced with a few delightful words Prof. E. A. Park, who has been
president of the board of trustees more than twenty-five years.
Professor Park responded: "The roof of the first edifice for Abbot
Academy was laid the 28th of October, 1828. One week after that day I
became a member of Andover Theological Seminary. I heard at once of the
new and beautiful building; I think I was the first col