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1.  Encourage the belief of the freedmen in the vital importance of the work, and give consistency and direction to their efforts;
2.  Remove more or less of the prejudices of the citizens to the work, and implant confidence in the good will of the citizens in the minds of the freedmen, by bringing both citizens and freedmen to a calm consideration of the subject in a meeting together; and
3.  Produce harmonious feeling and actin in the work between both classes.
It is believed that these meetings were largely productive of the proposed ends.  The attendance at them was much greater that I had expected, and a good spirit was manifested on all sides.  The clergymen appeared to enter heartily into the matter, while prominent citizens responded to their addresses, and encouraged the colored people to go on, promising them countenance and support.  On hearing of the successful establishment of schools for their race in other places, and being assured of approval and aid in the attainment of this, their