Part 3

With our church, the past year has been one of more than ordinary encouragement and blessing. Spiritual growth is manifest. Special meetings were held during the week of prayer and three weeks following; result, several hopeful conversions; 12 have united with the church, six by letter and six by profession. A healthful sentiment in favor of temperance prevails throughout the church and congregation, cherished by special services and efforts through the year. Not one person to my knowledge is addicted to the use of drink. Sunday-school is vigorous with enthusiasm, numbering 175 pupils. Decided improvement both in attendance and contributions have been made during the year. Though this has been financially a hard year for our people, nevertheless in loyalty to church obligation they have done better than ever before in their history. Nine of our members have been in attendance at Talladega College and Fisk University during the year; three of these are studying for the ministry. As a whole, the church work at this point has a bright side, and we feel like thanking God and taking courage.

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SELMA, ALA.

REV. C. B. CURTIS.

Our church observed the week of prayer with a good degree of interest, which was followed by a series of meetings continuing through the month of January. Five were added to the church by profession and four by letter. An effort was made in behalf of temperance by all the churches, in the beginning of the year, to send a petition to the Legislature for the suppression of intemperance, but failed as to results. Christmas, a temperance Sunday-school concert was held. The Sunday-school has been steadily increasing, as shown by the following figures, which give the average attendance for six months: January 82, February 77¾, March 83¼, April 84¾, May 112, June 101¾.

A mission school at the house of the pastor has been in operation for the year, with an average attendance of 18 weekly.

An effort has been made to raise a special donation for the A. M. A., that the Association may receive the $50 pledged as a duplicate from a friend in Massachusetts. The “Mission Workers” of the church and Sunday-school have made by sales, and given for various purposes, $30.45. Six of our pupils are at school at Talladega, two at Tougaloo. Ten members are engaged in teaching or missionary work.

Interest in the cause of missions has been furthered by a “missionary tea party,” held at the home of the pastor. Items of intelligence from the broad field interested all.

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SHELBY IRON WORKS, ALA.

REV. J. R. SIMS.

I can only give you a brief report of my work, as I have been here but a short time.

We have not had any revival, only in the church there seems to be a renewed spirit among her members.

We deem the Sunday-school work of vital importance, and endeavor to increase its interest from time to time; average attendance, 90; teachers five. Our building is now being newly painted, and we hope to finish plastering by the 1st of October. Five pupils from the church have been sent to some institution of learning. Number engaged in missionary work, five.

The work, as a whole, seems to be hopeful. We ask your prayers that we may be strengthened.

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CHILDERSBURG, ALA.

REV. ALFRED JONES.

Revival work has been very encouraging. Most of the youth have been led to embrace religion in consequence of our meetings. Thirty have joined our church, 22 of whom came through since I have been here. Our church is a temperance church; everybody looks upon us as a temperance people. We have the best Sabbath-school in Childersburg. We have plastered our meeting house and added a church farm worth $250, and a bell worth $45. Four of our church members are studying at different institutions.

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FLORENCE, ALA.

REV. WM. H. ASH.

We have built a beautiful parsonage this year which is said to be the prettiest house in town. Our field of labor is one where the minister plans his work, and then pulls off his coat and sees that it is done. Since I took charge here, two years ago, a suitable house of worship has been erected. Meanwhile, I have acted as pastor and taught a school. Six were added to the church by profession, and a temperance society has been organized. It is the only temperance society in connection with any of the colored churches in town. When I came here I found an old house, that had been used for a bar-room and gambling shop, fitted up for a house of worship. This has been abandoned, the lot upon which it stood well fenced, and a meeting house built.

We sent one pupil to Fisk University last year, and raised $160 for building and repairs.

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TOUGALOO, MISS.

REV. G. S. POPE.

There has been no special revival this year. Steady progress, however, has been made, resulting in frequent conversions. Eleven have been added to the church on profession of faith, and four by letter.

It is a rare thing for any of our students to hold themselves outside of the temperance work. They not only become temperance men and women here, but temperance workers when they leave. From 1,000 to 1,500 signers of the pledge are secured by them each summer vacation. They sometimes commence Sunday-school work previous to the opening of their day schools, and during vacation it is estimated that they instruct about 4,000 Sunday-school scholars. Fifty-eight of our church members have been engaged in teaching during the year.

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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES OF LOUISIANA—GENERAL SURVEY.

REV. W. S. ALEXANDER, D.D.

Of the 18 churches in the South-western Association, the first organization bears date June 14th, 1868; so that if we are not the infant association, we are certainly among the youngest members of the Congregational household.

There have been seven annual meetings of our Association, two occurring in 1870 and 1871, and then regularly from 1876 to 1881 inclusive. There has been growth in several directions.

1st, _morally_. The standard in moral instruction and practice is higher, by a marked difference, than at the beginning of our church life. The church is not a harbor for unholy and impure persons, where the outward profession atones for the faults of the private life; but the scene of watchfulness and charitable judgment, where the weak are helped, the penitent encouraged, and the persistent wrong-doer is discountenanced and disfellowshiped.

2d. In intelligence. The ministers and church members have a clearer understanding of the proprieties of church order and discipline.

The public services of the Lord’s day have grown quiet and devotional, a deeper tone of reverence pervades the preaching, and mere emotion has been succeeded by _intelligent conviction_ and a _reasonable faith_.

3d. There is a more direct aim for the best spiritual results. The conversion of the heart and the saving of the lost is more and more the end and the aim of preaching. Between this and the crude emotional spasmodic methods of the past, there is an almost inconceivable difference.

_Central Church, New Orleans (Rev. W. S. Alexander, D.D., Pastor)._—This church was in 1870 the University church, and has always been intimately associated with Straight University. The president of the University has been the acting pastor since January 1st, 1876. Most of the teachers in the University are earnest workers in the Sabbath-school.

From a membership of 35 in 1876, almost all of whom were old people, the membership has been increased to 210. Hardly a year has passed without witnessing in this church scenes of revival interest. Every winter has had its harvest months.

During the past winter, a revival of great power occurred in the church, resulting in 50 conversions. Mr. James Wharton, of Barrow-in-Furness, England, was an honored agent of the Lord in this blessed work.

The annual expenses of the church, averaging $650, are always paid promptly, and this year, in addition, the church has remitted $100 to the treasury of the American Missionary Association.

_Spain St. Church, New Orleans (Rev. Henry A. Ruffin, Pastor)._—Mr. Ruffin was a student in the theological department of Straight University for four or five years, and was in charge of the church at the same time, as he is to-day.

The church has been disturbed during the year by a few bad men, ambitious to rule, and so obstructing the progress of the Lord’s work and restricting the influence and usefulness of the pastor; but by patience and wise counsels the difficulty seems to be tided over, and the church started on a new career of prosperity.

_Morris Brown Chapel, New Orleans (Rev. Isaac H. Hall, Pastor)._—Mr. Hall was a delegate of the S.W. Association to the National Council at St. Louis. He was a student for several years at Straight University. The church has had a constant though not rapid growth. Its membership of 110 represents a good deal of hard work in prayer. A few converts are gathered in every year. The church has a small debt of about $250, which it is struggling bravely to discharge. Whenever a dollar can be transferred from the fund for ordinary expenses to sinking fund it is done, and the church will celebrate its jubilee when the last dollar of indebtedness is paid.

_Algiers and Gretna._—There are two churches across the river from New Orleans, one in Algiers and the other in Gretna. Rev. James Craig is pastor at Algiers, and Rev. Putney W. Ward at Gretna. With better schools in these two places, there would be better churches. The mass of the people need enlightening, and until it is done the church will dash against the breakers. Ignorance is never in accord with quiet, progressive and spiritual church life. These churches have now reached a crisis in their history which means either fatal disaster or a new and better lease of life. May God guide and bring order out of confusion. In the parish of St. Mary we have an interesting and hopeful group of churches.

_Terrebonne (Rev. Daniel Clay, Pastor)._—The house of worship is new, tasteful and admirably fitted for its purposes. Neatly painted, with good bell, the church-yard surrounded by a whitewashed fence, and in the rear the pretty cottages of the pastor and his son, nothing more could be desired. It is really beautiful. And how happy Bro. Clay is—how proud of his church and immense congregation! He feels that God has been good to him, and after many fierce storms, has conducted him to a peaceful and happy old age.

This church was built and paid for by the voluntary offerings of the people. I think they have never solicited a dollar of outside aid. They have built just as fast as they could pay for the work. No shadow of debt has ever dimmed their joy.

The Association met with this church in April. Great congregations flocked to the meetings, and immediately upon the adjournment of the Association, a revival of peculiar grace and tenderness was enjoyed, and some precious souls “given their liberty.”

_Terrebonne Station (Rev. Benjamin Field, licensed Preacher, acting Pastor). Lafourche Crossing (Rec. Wm. Reid, Pastor)._—These two churches are under the general supervision of Bro. Clay, and look to him for counsel as to a father. There is a peculiar bond binding these little churches of like faith together. When the Lord’s work is revived in one, the others hasten to share in the blessing, and when trouble is developed in one, the others are quick to sympathize and help. The Lafourche church are proposing to buy a new lot and build a pretty chapel. They have very great faith in their prospective growth.

_New Iberia._—St. Paul’s church is one of the strongest and most stable in the Association. The September gale leveled their old building. It was a blessing in disguise, for a new and substantial church has risen in its place. How much the stimulus of necessity will accomplish!

Rev. W. R. Polk, a _protege_ of Dr. Cuyler, is the pastor. The services are orderly and intelligent. Situated in the midst of one of the most fruitful sections of the state, and almost every colored man owning his homestead, and some of them in the realization of the freedman’s ambition, “_forty acres and a mule_,” there is a look of prosperity about church and people that is refreshing. They are now self-supporting. They are also rejoicing over several additions to the church on profession of faith.

We must now group together a few churches, small as yet, but giving promise of great usefulness. They are situated in important centres with respect to colored population, and the absence of churches except at great distances.

_Lockport and Harangville_—Under the missionary supervision of Brother Ward, of Gretna. He pays them a monthly or semi-monthly visit, and they do the best they can in the interval. When they get stronger they will require and can pay for the regular services of a resident minister.

_Peteance and Little Pecan_—Under the pastoral care of Rev. Wm. Butler. Mr. Butler teaches a day school at Peteance, five miles from New Iberia. Both these churches have houses of worship, and are full of faith in the increase of future years. God grant their faith may be rewarded.

Churches at _Bayou Du Large_ (Rev. Humphrey Williams, Pastor), and at _Grand Bayou_ (S. Williams, Pastor), are new churches, organized within the year, attracted by the simplicity, liberty and spirituality of the Congregational mode of government. They have cordially united hands with us.

_Abberville_—Needs a house of worship, and until it is built we cannot begin to write its history. A church without a shelter is a church in the wilderness indeed; and in this part of the world is no church, but a scattered flock seeking a fold.

_Lake Peigneur (Rev. C. E. Smith, Pastor)._—This church enjoys stated preaching. When the pastor is absent, some layman who has the “gift” of exhorting calls the people together. The homes of the people are often far apart. It is a rich prairie section, and all or nearly all come on horse-back. There is very little abject poverty. The labor of the men and women is sought, and commands a living price. The land itself can be purchased from $10 to $15 per acre, and so our friends are driving down the stakes into _their own soil_. Once the negro had a right only in “God’s acre,” and not that till he was dead. Now he holds the _title-deed_ to his own property, sealed with the great seal of Louisiana. God be praised! How restful to the tired laborer is a bed in his own cottage! How much better Christian he can be, with his own home, with all the amenities and domestic comforts of the family circle, and with the inducements thus supplied to be good and to do good!

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UNION CHURCH, NASHVILLE, TENN.

REV. H. S. BENNETT.

This is a University church, and the work done by it is so intimately connected with that done by the University that they cannot be separated. Its membership is now 171 and is composed largely of students. During vacation its meetings stop. It was organized in 1868, and since that time no year has passed in the history of the University without from 12 to 70 conversions. During the past school year two powerful seasons of refreshing resulted in the conversion of 68 students. The additions to the church have been mostly on profession of faith, and have averaged more than 20 annually. In connection with the institution, of which the church is a part, are a Sunday-school, a college, Y.M.C.A., and a missionary society for the evangelization of Africa. Many class prayer meetings are also held.

From the University between 100 and 150 students, most of whom are members of the church, go out to teach school during vacation. These teachers organize Sunday-schools and temperance societies. Five of the students have already gone as missionaries to Africa; others are preparing to go, having consecrated themselves to the work of African missions. Many of the students, members of the church, are now engaged in the work of preaching the Gospel in the churches of the South; others are preparing to preach. The work was never so promising as now.

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MEMPHIS, TENN.

REV. B. A. IMES.

I can only speak of special interest awakened last fall and early winter, carried on mainly among the young people of the American Missionary Association school (Le Moyne Normal). Many of these pupils were also our Sunday-school scholars. Of perhaps 40 converted, six united with our church. Since November 1, 1880, seven have united with this church on profession and nine by letter.

The Sunday-school is well attended, averaging from 100 to 140 during the latter part of winter and spring, and now in vacation about 75; general interest good.

Since January 1st, money raised for missionary purposes $20.

About 12 pupils of Le Moyne School are from our church, some of them members, others from families in part or entirely connected with it. One young man is teaching during the summer; will be in school next year.

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CHATTANOOGA, TENN.

REV. JOS. E. SMITH.

The year has not passed without giving us tokens of God’s special favor. The hopeful conversion of four persons, who are standing firm in the faith and doing good service in the church, and the renewed quickening of the whole church, are some of the happy results of the Holy Spirit’s special presence. The Sunday-school is full of interest; average attendance about 90 scholars, with eight earnest teachers who were once our scholars. The Sunday-school has a library of about 70 volumes of good books, which are quite generally read by the school.

Twenty-one persons have left us at different times to engage in study either in Atlanta or Fisk University, nine of whom are teaching and doing good work otherwise, while one is over in the southern part of France preaching the Gospel. The church has paid $26.10 toward missionary purposes.

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BEREA, KY.

REV. JOHN G. FEE.

The church here is the one church of the place, undenominational, unsectarian. All who here profess faith in the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour from sin, and are baptized in His name as His true followers, are recognized as in the body, and their fellowship is cherished whilst they maintain Christian character.

The present membership is 171; number added during the past year, 13; average attendance at the Sabbath-school, 192. Four other Sabbath-schools are under the supervision of members of the church; in these there is a total average attendance of 208.

During the past year we erected here a neat plain building as a church house and college chapel. It will seat some 500 people.

We have here, conducted and managed chiefly by members of the church, the most vigorous temperance association in the state, including over 1,600 pledges. Our relations to the churches and people around us are eminently friendly and pleasant. There is to us an open door that no man can shut. To God be the glory.

The church at Union Chapel, Jackson County, has just entered into a new church house; has the aid of two resident elders, and a monthly visit from Bro. Bunting, associate pastor at Berea. The churches in Bracken and Lewis Counties are without a pastor; they sustain a regular prayer meeting and Sunday-school.

The church at Camp Nelson, Jessamine County, is without a regular pastor. The members keep up frequent meetings and a promising Sunday-school. We expect the presence and aid of Rev. J. T. Browne as a pastor to some of these churches. Many useful fields could be occupied if we had support for pastors.

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LITTLE ROCK, ARK.

REV. B. F. FOSTER.

Our work here, as you know, is in its very infancy; organized 27th of February, 1881, with 40 communicants. Since then we have received by recommendation or letter 32 more. Our Sunday-school is in excellent condition, averages 80 scholars, besides teachers, &c. Our greatest need is competent Christian teachers. We have purchased a lot in a very desirable part of the city (corner lot) at $400. Have paid $140 toward it. Have laid the foundation on it for a church. We are now negotiating for lumber, &c., with which to erect the superstructure. Hope to go into it November 1st, and also to lay the corner-stone very soon. Have raised since organized $468 for church purposes. Hope to send one pupil to Fisk next fall. Probably we may send two. Mrs. Foster (the pastor’s wife) expects to begin missionary work here next fall. We pride ourselves on being among a benevolent, generous class of Christians. All are hopeful of success. Some certainly will be Congregationalists. Will some Christian philanthropist help us?

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GOLIAD, TEXAS.

REV. B. C. CHURCH.

After years of toil and waiting we are made to rejoice in a revival of religion; not the old, with its fanaticism and immoralities. It is no easy task to educate an unlettered people to reject the past and adopt a new and higher form of Christian life; to change a prayerless and violent home into one of song and praise. This is our work.

After a meeting of fifteen days we received five persons into the church on profession of faith, all from the Sunday-school, two of whom are teachers. After a few days’ rest we opened a meeting with the church in Helena, that continued eleven days. As a result we received seven members. These, too, were connected with the Sunday-school. In both meetings the interest continued till the close.

Rev. M. Thompson, my associate in work with these two churches, is a brother greatly beloved by all who know him. If he had a few more books, and our churches had one communion service between them, many hearts would rejoice and many thanks would be given to the donors.

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PARIS, TEXAS.

REV. J. W. ROBERTS.

We have had no special revival since last summer. Four, however, have been added to the church during the year, two by letter and two by profession. Without any formal organization, I am happy to say that my people are abstainers from intoxicating liquors. There is a temperance society in the city, but I do not espouse its cause, because it is a secret society. Our Sabbath-school is crowded every Lord’s day. We are endeavoring to introduce the catechism, and thus far have been quite successful. Our great need is a house of worship. We can scarcely hold services in the old barn we now occupy on account of leakage when it rains and snows. We have recently purchased a very desirable church lot not far from the centre of the city, on which we expect to erect a new church.

Two of my male members are carrying on missionary work in the country with encouraging success. We sustain a neighborhood prayer meeting, which is doing much good. A bright future is before us.

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FLATONIA, TEXAS.

REV. T. E. HILLSON.

I have only been in charge of this mission one year. On my arrival I found everything to discourage me. Both white and black people were prejudiced against the work of the Association, but the future, perhaps, will tell better. I have the pleasure of preaching to a congregation most of the time which cannot be comfortably seated in the church building. We have a membership of twenty, which is quite small, but the material for a Congregational church has not matured in Texas yet. When young men and women possessing the power of the Holy Spirit shall have taught among these people, then Congregational churches will commence to spring up over Texas. Over 45 of our young men and women have joined the temperance union. I have also a benevolent literary society organized, which is making good progress.

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS.

REV. J. W. STRONG.