missionary convocation to their sanctuary and to their homes,
and for which, to them, along with all others in the sister
churches who have joined them on this occasion in exercising
this grace of hospitality, we express our heartiest thanks.

We here call to mind with grateful emotion one of the manliest
of men, one of the truest disciples of Christ, Dea. C.G.
Hammond, who counted it an honor to have ministered at this
altar from the day of its setting up to the day of his
translation, and who for many years had served as one of the
Vice-Presidents of this Association, and had been giving
largely of his substance to its treasury.

At this closing hour, we are also thankfully reminded that the
First Congregational Church of this city was ready thirty years
ago to entertain this Association in the days of its weakness
and of its cross-bearing witness for Christ and for his lowly
poor: and likewise, ten years ago, to open its doors to receive
the same body then brought along by the providence of God to a
position of honor and extended usefulness.

And so we gratefully name the Union Park Church, which is now
lending us its pastor as one of our Vice-Presidents, and which,
with the other two churches mentioned, has furnished us with
the three grand annual sermons of Drs. Goodwin, Noble, and
Little, and the Plymouth Church, which, from the day of its
organization, with its testimony and its offerings, has stood
by this Association, and all the other churches of this
vicinage, grown now to be such a comely sisterhood, which have
shared with these others in the support of our work.