TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE Society for the History of the Germans in Maryland. Mr. President: IT is a fact worth mentioning, that with to-night's meeting the Society for the History of the Germans in Mary- land closes the first decade of its existence. What are the results of its labors? is a question well worth considering. There have been such who expected this Society to issue within a few years from its organization, a complete history of the Germans in Maryland, dating back to their very first settlers. That such expectations were unreasonable and could not be realized needs no proving. Histories of the past, such as really deserve that designation, are not thrown upon the market as an every day occurence. They are, not the result even of a few years effort, but generally the work of a life-time. And in what manner are histories compiled? The historian gathers his information mostly from material already collected. He seeks the proofs for the facts which he wishes to state in documents and monuments and existing circumstances, dating back to the past, and which have been gathered, recorded and preserved for years and years. Without such material, he would find it exceedingly difficult if not well nigh impossible to write anything of a reliable history of the past. Whilst the honest historian deserves credit for his painstaking in 68 deducting from the mass of material at his command such facts are really worthy of preservation and with great skill weaves them into a connected story, those who have been instrumental in gathering and preserving the material from which he draws his statements are no less deserving of esteem for their labor. The latter part has thus far been the chief work of this Society. Whilst no complete history of the early Germans in Mary- land has thus far appeared, events in connection with their labors and experience in this State, have been resuscitated, which, whilst most interesting reading matter in itself, will, I trust, prove of still greater interest hereafter. The Society has undeniable proofs of the value of these articles in the eager desire for their possession by other Historical Societies, occupy- ing prominent positions for their research as well as for their accomplishments. The real active members, i. e. such as were able to furnish articles, have naturally been but very few. They deserve great credit for their labor. But those, who by their liberality in- sured the continued existence, of the Society and enabled it to publish these articles and to gather what we may term the the nucleus of a valuable, historical library, are no less entitled in sharing whatever honor may be or may become due this Society. In reviewing more closely the events of the past year and examining its results, we cannot but call it, as far as its research is concerned, a very quiet year. The monthly meetings nevertheless proved to be of a most interesting character by the reading of some historical extract or the discussion of some historical event. Those who were enabled to attend these meetings were of one mind, that they had spent a most interesting and agreeable evening. Donations for the library were made by: Mr. Edwin J. Lawyer of Westminster, Md. Rev. Ed. Huber. Mr. L. P. Hennighausen. 69 Rev. J. G. Morris, D. D., L. L. D. Prof. Ch. P. Raddatz. Dr. B. Steiner. Mr. Henry Metzner of New York. Rev. M. Sheeleigh, D. D., Ft. Washington, Pa. Mr. Edwin Swift Balch of Philadelphia, Pa. Mrs. Alice Quiglsy. Prof Hanno Deiler of New Orleans, La. The Proprietor of the "Baltimore Correspondent." The Proprietors of the "Baltimore Journal." American Jewish Historical Society. Bureau of Education, Washington, D. C. Enoch Pratt Free Library. Drew Theological Seminary. Cornell University. New York State Library. The library has also been further enriched by the pur- chase of a number of valuable books. The Society entered upon the year with 66 active members on its list. One member resigned and one discontinued his payments. Prof. M. D. Learned, one of our most active and highly esteemed members, though still in good standing at the end of the year, has removed to Philadelphia, having received a most flattering call from the Pennsylvania University, as Pro- fessor of German Literature. The greatest loss that befell the Society was the death of its honored President, REV. J. G. MORRIS, D. D., L. L. D., who departed this life on the evening of October 11th, 1895, at the age of nearly 93 years. I doubt whether any Society in this land could boast of a presiding officer of such age and at the same time of such ability and vivacity, both of body and of mind as our late President. It was your Secretary, who first tried to engage the interest of our departed friend in the matter of organizing such a Society as ours. It did not need any persuasion on my part, for though even then passed four-score years, he at once entered upon the subject with the enthusiasm of a youth. Some of you will remember 70 how he attended the first informal meeting, and by his com- manding figure and bearing as well as by his earnest interest manifested from the beginning, at once seemed to impress all present as the most suitable person to place in the chair. And as he was elected temporary chairman, later on when the or- ganization had been perfected, he became the regular President of this Society and remained such until his end. Nor did his interest in the affairs of the Society ever flag. With but one or two exceptions, when other duties or bodily ailment prevented him from attending, he was regularly at his post. Though living during some of the months at a distance of nine miles from the city and his attendance con- sequently and chiefly in view of his age, attended with more than ordinary difficulties if not dangers, neither danger nor difficulty did he allow to be an obstacle in his way. True, at last annual meeting and perhaps even the one before he expressed his desire that some other member should be called to the presidency, but not because he had tired of the office or of the Society, but because he believed that the interests of the Society would by such change be furthered. He made it his duty to be provided always with some article or question of interest to bring before the meeting, whenever there was a scarcity of interesting matter. As it was the pleasure of your Secretary first to bring the object of this Society to the notice of the departed, is was also my sad privilege to be the last man with whom he was able to converse in a rational manner. Even then he manifested an interest in the members and the affairs of this Society. Recalling to mind a remark of his on a certain occasion that whenever he wished to pray right devoutly he made use of the German language, I offered prayer in German at his bed-side and left him deeply moved. The November meeting was a Memorial meeting in honor of the departed. Suitable resolutions were offered and were after a number of corresponding addresses on the part of the members adopted. The Society has properly seen fit to honor the memory of its departed President by having a large picture of him made and placed in the room of our meetings. The 71 printed report will also contain articles referring to the departed and giving expression of the high esteem in which this Society ever held and will hold its departed first President,— Rev. J. G. Morris, D. D., L. L. D. The Society received two active members during the year and thus numbers at the close of the present year 64 actual members. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED , F. PH. HENNIGHAUSEN, Sec'y, Baltimore, Md., February 22, 1896.