MORGAN'S HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE Page 195
our churches and give liberally ourselves. May God infuse in us more of the missionary spirit.
We, your committee appointed to report on the state of the Church, respectfully submit the following, sketching with a hurried glance from the profusely clustered facts that arise through the steady progress of the cause of Christ, as sustained by the A. M. E. Church. We regret that we are only able to offer partially the condition of our church throughout its wide extent.
We will first speak of its vital piety. This never was better. Living deeds bear undisputed testimony to this fact, and this last year has been marked for great revival throughout our entire Church. And among the most important auspicious features has been the conversion of children to the love of Christ, which in itself heralds the fast approaching elevation of our long down trodden race. Our missionary work, though scarcely begun, yet by a creditable increase of receipts during the last year a grand devolopment in its operations is strongly indicated. It has already planted its cause in Hayti with our worthy Bro. Mossell at its head, while to-day the beautiful and wonderful Iron Church which is to be erected there is now on its way, under the direction of Secretary Townsend, floating with the breeze upon the waves of the ocean to its place of destination.
To be a good Christian people it is necessary to be a missionary people, and now as we see our church standing with her feet upon the American soil, with one hand extended upon Hayti and the other upon Africa, with the watch-word "go forward," let us praise God that she may continue to go forward. The educational outlook is encouraging. Its advocates are coming to the front, and with fearless cry are calling the people to lay hold and support this lever, by which in association with the gospel our people must be lifted up.
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