It should be a sign which no one could possibly mistake.

The first meeting was held at the office of Samuel E.Sewall, November 13, 1831.

At the third meeting, convened New Year's evening of 1832, which was the first anniversary of the publication of the _Liberator_, the work of organization was finished, with a single important exception, viz., the adoption of the preamble to the constitution.

The character of the preamble would fix the character of the society.

Therefore that which was properly first was made to come last.