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.
* * * * *
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.
* * * * *
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!
* * * * *
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.
* * * * *
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.
* * * * *
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.
* * * * *
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.
* * * * *
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?
* * * * *
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.
* * * * *
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.
* * * * *
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.
* * * * *
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS.
REV. J. W. STRONG.
Our church has been revived and all its services are well attended.
The whole church is a temperance society. We are becoming more
and more in favor with other churches both white and colored. The
hope of our church is in the boys and girls at school. Already two
ministers have gone forth from us, one of whom is doing good work
for four Baptist churches which he has in charge. The other one
also is a great power for good. Our church has been more anxious
for the souls of men than for their names upon its list. The
attendance at the Sabbath-school is good, made up in part of a
large Bible class of elderly people.
* * * * *
THE CHINESE.
* * * * *
“CALIFORNIA CHINESE MISSION.”
_Auxiliary to the American Missionary Association._
PRESIDENT: Rev. J. K. McLean, D.D. VICE-PRESIDENTS: Rev. A. L.
Stone, D.D., Robert B. Forman, Rev. T. K. Noble, Hon. F. F. Low,
Rev. I. E. Dwinell, D.D., Hon. Samuel Cross, Rev. S. H. Willey,
D.D., Jacob S. Taber.
DIRECTORS: Rev. George Mooar, D.D., Hon. E. D. Sawyer, Rev. E. P.
Baker, James M. Haven, Esq., Rev. Joseph Rowell, Rev. John Kimball,
A. L. Van Blarcon, Esq., George Harris, Esq., and the Secretary ex
officio.
SECRETARY: Rev. W. C. Pond. TREASURER: E. Palache, Esq.
* * * * *
JOTTINGS FROM THE FIELD.
The following cheery item it was my privilege to publish in the
_Pacific_ of June 20th. I am sure that it will interest the readers
of the MISSIONARY:
In connection with our California Chinese mission, thirteen schools
were sustained during the month of June. This is one less than
were in operation in May, the school at Tucson, Arizona, having
been discontinued temporarily. But the number of pupils enrolled
was 595—a net gain over the preceding month of 45, and the largest
enrollment ever reported. The average attendance was 314—larger
by 10 than during the preceding month, and larger than was ever
reported before. In the course of this fiscal year, thus far, not
less than 1,465 Chinese have been enrolled in these schools, and
have thus been reached by Gospel influences. Among the pupils now
in the schools, 128 are reported as giving evidence of conversion.
_Laborers wanted for God’s Harvest._—Christ bids us pray for these.
I ask the readers of the MISSIONARY to join us in prayer for more
Chinese helpers made fit by the power of God’s Spirit for the work
that they, they alone, can do. The teacher in one of our more
recently established schools writes me as follows: “I find it very
hard to get along alone. We sadly need an efficient Chinese helper.
The boys are beginning to think and ask so many questions, and
each requires so much time for himself, that it is often after ten
o’clock P. M. when I get through. Then there are so many Chinese
outside that we cannot reach, and who will not come to school; and
they need some one to meet with them and talk to them in their own
language.”
What is true of this school is just as true of all the rest. We
have now nine of those helpers employed. I should like to add
four to the list as soon as September 1st. Can I have the means to
sustain them? I believe that if the Lord will send forth the men, I
will trust Him for the money. But I certainly purpose not to waste
the Lord’s money sustaining men whom I alone, not He, have called
into the field. Unite with us in prayer for the _right_ men.
_A Helper’s Sermon._—Lou Quong is at present our helper in the
West School in this city. He is a servant in a Christian family,
working at reduced wages in order to get time for missionary work.
What he thus loses I make up to him by way of salary. With the
other helpers in this city and Oakland, he meets me at our Central
Mission House for a review of the week’s Bible lessons, and for
mutual conference on all matters bearing on our mission. One of
the exercises is the presentation by each helper of a sketch of a
sermon for criticism and other suggestions from me. The following
was submitted yesterday (June 20th) by Lou Quong. I think that the
readers of the MISSIONARY have never heard from him before.
The text (assigned to all in common on the preceding Wednesday) was
in John xiii. 34, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love
one another: as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
“Our Lord has given us a new commandment to learn—that we should
love one another. Well, but how many commandments are there?
There are ten old commandments which the Lord gave Moses. The old
commandments say, ‘Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.’ Why
does Jesus give us this new one? Is Christ any better than God? No,
they are the same. It is because Jesus saw the people of the world
needed more charity. Therefore, Christ gave us this one that we
must love one another with brotherly love.