304 PAST AND PRESENT OF The occasion was one of marked interest and enthusiasm, and the Association has proved to be eminently successful in the furtherance of the enterprises, for the supervision of which it was chiefly designed. Each year since its formation this body has assembled to review the progress of the churches and to make all necessary provision for their en¬ largement and for the universal spread of the gospel. This Association co-operated with the Convention of the Maritime Provinces in sup¬ porting Acadia College, in sustaining -foreign missions and in enlarging and promoting the home mission movement. In this way greater results/are secured than could possibly fol¬ low from any attempts to enter upon these enterprises alone and unaided. Union with the other provinces has in certain respects been a source of great benefit, while separa¬ tion, up tn a certain point, has also proved advantageous. The Island churches had made attempts at different periods to form a domestic board for the purpose of carrying on their own home missionary work, but this plan was found to be defective in many ways. It was finally arranged that Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island should unite in the promotion of home missions and that the work should be carried on under the control of the Mari¬ time Baptist Convention . Much success has resulted from this wise arrangement. As many of the Island churches are still com¬ paratively small and scattered and are not yet strong enough financially to support pas¬ tors of their own they have found that the sympathy and assistance afforded by the Home Mission Board have been of incal¬ culable benefit to them. The outlook for the Baptists of this prov¬ ince is very encouraging. Their churches and pastors work together in harmony and in fellowship. A marked spirit of Christian beneficence is manifest among the people and there seems to be an increasing interest in the important undertaking of evangelizing the heathen world. In addition to this it must be noted with pride that the Baptists stand in the front ranks of temperance reformers and promoters of social purity. Their rec¬ ord has been an honorable one in all move¬ ments for the political and social welfare of their country. It has been their aim to se¬ cure liberty of conscience, freedom of action and sincerity of purpose, not only in reli¬ gious, but also in secular affairs. Nor has this effort been wholly in vain. Its influ¬ ence is being felt and manifested in other denominations, and its benefits are clearly seen in many ways among all classes of society. The veteran leaders who in past years nobly labored for the best interests of their fellowmen have entered into their rest. A new generation has risen up to carry forward the enterprises entrusted to their care, and the diligent review of the history of those who have laid with patient hands the strong foundations of our colonial prosperity should inspire present workers with a zeal and en¬ ergy worthy of the splendid example set be¬ fore us by our forefathers.