April 4, 1877.
Word from Algiers, La.
For the Christian Recorder.
Mr. Editor: I am glad to say that our church is gaining ground.
Christians are a unit in this place in laboring for the building of
Christ’s kingdom. Meetings are being held everywhere, with very marked
results. Elder James Madison is carrying on a great work in St. James.
He seems to be determined that every valley shall be filled and every
hill made low. I think that he is the right man in the right place.
The Elder visited my Sabbath School and addressed the children. He
expressed himself as highly pleased with the progress of the church and
school.
Elder Lazarus Gardiner, of St. Peter’s Chapel, is scattering Gospel
seed and contending against the assaults of sin, at the head of
noble-hearted workers for the success of African Methodism in this
State. They have paid five hundred dollars on their new church and have
arranged for the payment of another five hundred when due. The Elder
is up and a-doing. God speed him on his journey!
Dr. George W. Bryant is sounding the Gospel trumpet from the
battlements of Zion at the Union Bethel. He is master of the situation.
If our Gospel be hid, it is hid unto them that are lost. The Baptist
church is also doing a great work in this place. I was at a union
meeting at the Rev. James Chaig’s church, a Baptist brother, and the
Spirit of the Lord God filled the house. It was densely packed. The
conference of glad voices giving praise to God was a heaven below.
Brother Benjamin Buchannon also held a union meeting last Sabbath,
which was a complete success. Fully three thousand people were present.
The church and the yard were literally packed. God bless these
brethren! May they live long and continue as instruments in the hands
of God, enemies to ignorance and friends to holiness! J. H. Scie, P.
E., is on the scout, I presume, although I have not heard from Elder
Thomas. And Elder Burch I can give no account of, as I have no news
from their district since Conference.