ALABAMA.
A Surprise Party—A Church well Organized—Burrell School.
MR. E. C. SILSBY, SELMA.
Brother Noble mentions a surprise party in Montgomery. I can refer to an occurrence somewhat similar here. Last fall, during the time that we were without a pastor, Brother Callen, of the church, filled the pulpit. His labors were faithfully performed, and our “Ladies’ Society” determined to give him a “pound donation party.” The “Teachers’ Home” was decided upon as the place, and the members of the church were quite eager to bestow upon him some slight testimonial, indicating their appreciation of his Christian character and faithfulness. It was a complete surprise to him, and the articles contributed were opportune, although “pounded” at him.
One of the most encouraging features of our church is the “Ladies’ Society,” which holds a prayer-meeting every Sabbath afternoon, and a sewing society every fortnight. At these prayer-meetings the girls and young ladies of the church are frequently put forward to lead, and thus are educated to Christian work. The older and younger ladies are also brought more nearly together, and made to realize more fully a common interest in the cause of Christ. An account of this meeting has been given in the Missionary, and, by this means, a very pleasant correspondence has grown up between the society here and one at Dedham, Mass. The ladies at Dedham sent their greetings and sympathy, and encouraged and helped us with their prayers. It has been a blessing to both societies. Hearing of the efforts of our ladies to purchase matting for the aisles of our church, they generously rendered assistance, and the matting has been laid.
One interesting and instructive feature of our work is that of the Committee on Missionary Intelligence. This committee was organized during the pastorate of Brother Pope. Its work is to present at times reports of missions in this and other lands. On the occasion of this presentation the attention is certain to be fixed, and the matter of the papers is discussed for sometime afterwards.
Four new members have been received on profession; two heads of families and two young people. One has been received by letter. One of those uniting on profession—a man—had long been the subject of prayer by a wife, mother, sister, son and other friends, but at last the stubborn heart has yielded, and he is free.
The “Ministerial Association,” formed last year, and consisting of the ministers from the various colored churches, has been holding its meetings this year. The association meets at the study or residence of each pastor, in turn. The time of the meeting is occupied in discussing doctrines, presenting plans of sermons, and deciding upon practical subjects to present to their various congregations.
The Sabbath-school still continues in interest, and is growing in strength. I well remember that, a few years ago, when the Northern teachers who were laboring in the Sabbath-school went home for their vacation, we with difficulty secured a few to take their places; but now, superintendent, organist and teachers could be secured from resident members of the school.
The church is now in charge of Brother A. J. Headen, a student from the Theological Department of Talladega College.
I will add that the interest in Burrell School is not diminishing. The school was never so far advanced in studies before, and for the coming year the prospect is good for having quite a number of advanced pupils. We seem to be keeping a hold upon our older pupils. I have a class of them in one study this summer. Some are becoming very proficient in vocal music, singing by note.
Anniversary of Trinity School—A Grateful People.
REV. HORACE J. TAYLOR, ATHENS.
The thirteenth anniversary of the commencement of Trinity School occurred on the 28th of last May. On the Sabbath previous the anniversary sermon was preached by the pastor. The scholars had prepared themselves for the exercises of Tuesday evening. At the appointed hour the church was full of a bright-faced throng of old and young. A class of little girls, dressed in white, stood on each side of the broad central aisle; and as Miss Wells (who begun the school May 28th, 1865) advanced, they spread flowers in her way. She was conducted to her seat, which was covered with flowers. The exercises consisted of speeches, compositions, and music. One old man—Uncle Dennis Collier—said he was very grateful to Miss Wells for what she had done for him. He was blind, and couldn’t learn to read, but his “wife was the grandmother of sixty-six children,” and he doubtless felt that he had through them received a full share of the benefits of the school. She had done him favors, he said, “and if you want to know what kind of favors, here’s one of ’em,” as he vigorously shook his coat. Then the offerings of flowers were brought forward, and it seemed as if Miss Wells would be buried in the mass of roses, lilies, magnolias, etc.
These anniversaries do the people good, and enable them to look back and compare their condition in May, 1865, with their present condition, and to learn more forcibly what it is that is lifting them up.
School closed on the 28th of June. The examinations were on the afternoons of the 25th, 26th, and 27th. The schoolrooms were crowded with people from the neighborhood; they were of every shade from black to white, but all “colored.” All the classes were examined, from the little “tots” to those in grammar, analysis, and algebra. The examinations showed patient drill on the part of the teachers, and generally work on that of the scholars.
Friday afternoon and evening—the 28th—occurred the exhibition. Compositions, declamations, orations and music instructed and amused the audience till well along to midnight. All were pleased and edified. The colored people remember that, before the war, they sometimes went to anniversaries and exhibitions of the white people, but now they can attend those of their own.
A Gospel Ship.
REV. PETER. J. MCINTOSH, PASTOR, ANNISTON.
The church building stood unoccupied about one year after the students of Talladega Theological Class, under the direction of Rev. H. E. Brown, had ceased to work upon it. Mr. Albert Brown and J. R. McLean, students at Talladega, labored to organize a church here, but the denominational prejudice was so great that they both were compelled to give up in despair.
I came to this place in April, 1875. My first sermon was preached to a benevolent society, which assembled in the church building. The society numbered about 100 members. You can imagine how earnestly I plead with my heavenly Father that He might give me a place in the hearts of these people. I preached from 1 Cor. xiii, 13, dwelling largely upon charity, interpreted love. I see before me to-day those faces which were indexes to so many prejudiced minds, as they commenced to show approval of my discourse. At the close of the services, I asked the people if they would meet me here in this house and take part in carrying on a series of meetings, two weeks from that time. They said they would.
On my arrival at the church at the appointed time for the meetings to begin, I found the church crowded to its utmost capacity. We held meetings for one week, which resulted in the conversion of six persons, and the willingness of three others to join with me in the formation of a church. Rev. H. E. Brown came up from Talladega, and, on the 23rd of May, 1875, assisted by the Methodist minister of the white church of this place, organized the First Congregational Church of Anniston. With these nine members (all heads of families) I took charge of the church, being elected by them as pastoral supply. I preached here once in every two weeks, and pursued my studies at Talladega.
During my absence, Brother A. J. Logan took charge of the church services, and conducted them as faithfully as any one could have done under the same circumstances. (He was one of the converts). With these means, we set sail on the ocean of God’s eternal power. We drifted on until we reached October, 1875, at which time we took on board nine more passengers for glory. We again set sail with the eighteen passengers on board. By October, 1876, finding that we numbered forty-two, we deemed it expedient to stop over, and thank God for bringing us so far on our journey towards the heavenly Jerusalem.
It would have inspired every reader of this article to have heard the words of thanksgiving and rejoicing, and to have seen the sympathizing tears, as they stole silently down the cheeks of those who had previously opposed the work here on account of its name and obscure history to the colored people. Permit me to say just here that many of the aristocratic whites of our village took part in the above-stated exercises.
We anchored here for some time, making repairs and casting overboard all who were diseased with intemperance and other maladies, which are so common to those who are not willing to resist the devil.
We rejoiced that the great Physician of souls had so wonderfully preserved all of our number except six. One had taken the ship of time, and sailed into eternity on the 26th of November, 1876—“Peace be to his ashes”; three took leave for other churches; thus leaving us thirty-two passengers for the next tour.
After repairing all things needful, we set sail again, with a full supply of love, truth and mercy. We landed in the midst of a glorious revival, in September, 1877. Here we took on board nineteen passengers more, and one on the 7th day of July, 1878.
A few days ago the church committee took account of stock, and found that we have on board the gospel ship fifty-two soldiers of the Cross, varying in age from thirteen to sixty, all of whom are ready for the next tour, upon which we expect to start out on the second Sabbath in September, 1878.
We have in our community some of the finest colored people in the State of Alabama, most of whom are absolute strangers to Christ. We most humbly solicit a petition in the prayers of each one who reads this article.