ALABAMA.
The State Conference of Congregational Churches.
MRS. G. W. ANDREWS, TALLADEGA.
The fourth annual meeting of the Conference opened with a sermon by Rev. Dr. Bascom, for the last winter pastor of the church. He spoke from the words, “Ye are the salt of the earth,” impressing us with the valuable estate of the Christian.
Saturday was held our first morning prayer meeting, when “Blest be the tie that binds” was the sentiment of every heart. Thanksgivings for revivals of God’s grace in the churches and in individual hearts arose like holy incense. At other meetings of this kind, numerous and interesting accounts were given of special visitations of the Spirit; at Anniston, the Cove, and Childersburg; at Talladega, Selma, Marion and Montgomery; the last two not resulting in any extensive work of grace. We felt how sweet that there are no desert places in God’s love.
The first paper noticed on the programme was “Our Mission Work,” by Rev. G. W. Andrews, Talladega—an inspiration from his experience of nearly nine years in the service, instructive and profitable. After the rest and refreshment at the “Home” of two hours’ “nooning,” we listened to the discussion of the question, “How shall we interest the church of Christ, North and South, in our work?” Some of the replies: By doing it with all our might, thus showing that it interests us; by showing that it is a specific work, placed in the hands of the Christian church by the marked Providence of God; by combining the efforts of women, North and South, for special missionary work; by not only arousing men, but raising money to carry it on to successful completion.
Right here came in most appropriately the presentation of “The duty of economy and industry,” so as to increase our giving, by Rev. D. L. Hickok, Mobile. Full of fresh and vigorous thought, the most prominent was that of saving to spend.
At the announcement, “Examination of candidates for the ministry,” nine young men came forward. The young men were not only questioned by their leader, Rev. Mr. Andrews, but by many others on the general range of questions in systematic theology, followed by personal Christian experience in their calls to the ministry, until all present were convinced of their thorough preparation for their work. The evening was given to an address by the Rev. J. E. Roy, D. D.: “How are the Freedmen getting on?”—a graphic picture of their condition then (at the surrender) and now.
A little time being left, “How to win souls,” by Rev. O. W. Fay, of Illinois, lately arrived, was impressively treated. First, make it your business; then, in successfully prosecuting this business, come into personal contact with him you would win. Sabbath morning we were disappointed by the absence of Prof. J. C. Silsby, of Selma, who was to have conducted the Sabbath-school quarterly review. After a short review of the quarter’s lessons, brief addresses were made, and the time profitably spent. The sermon Sabbath morning, by Mr. J. D. Smith, of Shelby, from the text, “Can ye not watch with me one hour?” was a touching picture of the heavy-laden disciple and a Saviour’s yearning for sympathy. At 3 P. M. a children’s meeting, addressed chiefly by Prof. E. P. Lord, of Talladega, was said to be very interesting and instructive. The writer was unable to be present. Monday morning a business meeting closed the session of Conference proper and opened
THE THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE.
The first paper, “The History and necessity of a new Revision of the Bible,” by Rev. C. B. Curtis, was a most thorough treatise upon the subject, for which he expressed himself partly indebted to the Sunday-School World. We admired the caution with which he handled the sacred subject, lest some poor wayfaring man should hear to his hurt. At the end we were left to anticipate with joy the new, complete and pure revision, which, after all, will not contain one single change vital to Christian faith.
The second paper, “The Relation of Theological Education to the Church of Christ,” was by Mr. J. D. Smith, of Shelby, showing that a pure religion is conserved by an educated ministry; and without it, the tendency is to superstition and heathenism. Following this, a study of the 110th Psalm, conducted by Mr. Y. B. Sims, of the theological class, brought us all under his tutelage and sharp questioning for half an hour. I noticed some of the Doctors of Divinity scratching their heads previous to answering, while “the smile went round.” At night we listened to a sermon on the “First Commandment,” by Rev. D. L. Hickok. Power, pathos and eloquence were combined in it. Plans of sermons by Revs. P. J. McEntosh, Horace Taylor, Alfred Jones, and Revs. Andrews and Bascom, closed the Institute.
THE SABBATH-SCHOOL CONVENTION,
the third section of the Conference, opened on Tuesday with an address by Rev. D. L. Hickok, of Mobile, on “The Field and the Workers.” Other topics of this interesting day were: “The Best Methods of Conducting Teachers’ Meetings,” Rev. G. W. Andrews; “Necessity of Pointed Teaching,” Rev. P. J. McEntosh; “How to Cultivate the Spirit of Giving in Sunday-schools, and How to Dispose of Moneys Collected,” Mr. J. D. Smith; “S. S. Music—How to keep up with the mass of New Music,” Rev. C. B. Curtis. Reports of Sabbath-schools. At night the S. S. Convention closed with a multitude of speeches on as many topics.
THE WOMAN’S MISSIONARY MEETING
was held in the afternoon. We could not have foregone the good we gained by that excellent meeting. I have regretted that I did not reserve my time for an exclusive report of it, as it was one of so much interest; I will only note its general features, however, as full minutes will be published in connection with the minutes of the Conference. After the usual devotional exercises and reports, we listened to an address by Rev. Dr. Roy, which was so thoroughly appreciated, that a unanimous vote of thanks was given at its close. Then came the following papers: “The Opportunities afforded to the Women of the Colored Race for Education and Moral Improvement,” Miss M. J. Adams, Montgomery; “Present Encouragements to further prosecute Special Missionary Work for our Colored Women and Girls,” Mrs. H. W. Andrews, Talladega; “The Industrial School, a Means of Success in Training our Young Women for Future Usefulness,” S. Ida Allen, Talladega.
The Conference with its triple object closed, we were ready to enjoy the best wine, which, after the example in Cana, had been reserved till the last. The interesting
EXAMINATION AND ORDINATION SERVICES
of Mr. J. D. Smith, Shelby, took place on Wednesday; examination conducted by Rev. O. W. Fay, the new pastor at Montgomery. Searching questions were put, and grew more and more so as the candidate showed abundant ability to answer. An examination of two hours was well sustained. The leading examiner said he had never listened to a better examination, and had attended all the important ones about Chicago. One reply I must give you, showing the firm convictions of Mr. Smith on the subject of emotional religion: Ques.—Do you think it necessary, when under conviction, that a man should be thrown on to the floor and go through various contortions of body before he can become a Christian? Ans.—No, sir; I do not think when God knocks at the door of a man’s heart, that he “knocks down the man.” This reply evidently met with hearty approval. The ordination exercises were conducted in the evening; sermon by Rev. Wm. H. Ash, Florence, an earnest setting forth of ministerial duties. The impressive ordaining prayer by Rev. Dr. Bascom, and charge to pastor and right hand of fellowship by Revs. Taylor and Andrews. The doxology, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,” closed what to us had seemed like a “feast of weeks.”