SOUTH-WESTERN CONFERENCE.
Annual Meeting at New Iberia, La.
REV. W. S. ALEXANDER, NEW ORLEANS.
Our Annual Conference met at New Iberia, April 2–6, and on account of the deep interest and spiritual results directly attending it, marks an important era in the history of the Congregational churches of Louisiana. The very delightful meeting of the Conference in 1878, at the same place, prepared us for the recurrence of like scenes this year. But the Lord had greater and better things in store for us, and the Conference of 1879 stands alone in the marvellous tenderness and earnestness which characterized all its sessions, and in the precious baptism of the Holy Spirit, resulting in the conversion of fifty souls, and in the quickening and reviving of all the churches represented.
Of the 16 churches connected with the Conference, 14 were represented. Two large churches, one at Gretna, (Rev. W. P. Ward, pastor,) numbering 250 members, and the one at Algiers, (Rev. James Craig, pastor,) numbering 121 members, which left the Conference seven years ago, and have since been independent, were very cordially re-admitted. The brethren on the ground understand the great importance of this step. The re-admission of these large churches will be an element of strength in many directions. Their temporary withdrawal was the result of a misunderstanding which should never have occurred.
Two new churches were received—the church at Harangville, in Lafourche parish, with a membership of 30, and the church at Little Pecan, in Iberia parish, eight miles from the city of New Iberia. Rev. P. P. Proctor will take charge of this church.
The year has been one of growth. Revivals were reported in several of the churches, especially in the Central Church of New Orleans and in Terrebonne.
The membership of the churches numbers 1,303. During the year ending April 1st, 1879, there have been admitted to the churches 213, of whom 190 were received on profession of their faith. Number in Sabbath-school, 670. Adult baptisms, 146; infant baptisms, 122.
Our Northern friends will be startled to know that 119 have been excommunicated during the year. But after all it is a hopeful sign. It is a process of purification painful, but necessary. The church cannot afford to shelter unworthy people. I wrote to one of the pastors who had sent his report to me, and asked him if it was true that 37 had been excommunicated from his church the past year. “Yes, sir,” he wrote me, “it is all right; they were not walking in Christ.”
DISCUSSIONS.
The subjects considered were practical and the addresses were earnest and to the point. The topics of “Church Extension,” “Education,” “Temperance,” and the “Moral Character of Ministers and Church Members,” came prominently before the Conference. The sentiments expressed, in which there was entire agreement among the brethren, were pure in tone, and placed our churches upon the broad platform of moral purity and intelligence. I shall be pardoned if I particularize. Social and domestic relations among the colored people in the dark days of slavery, in a great many instances, do not bear inspection. The necessities of those days call for a charitable judgment, but do not justify a continuance of the evil. There is but one sentiment in the Congregational churches of Louisiana on this subject: legal marriage is insisted on in all cases. No exception is allowed on any plea. Said one of our pastors while this discussion was pending, “Individuals living unlawfully can remain members of my church only so long as it takes to call a church meeting to turn them out.” The pastors agreed that they could afford to preside over small churches, but not over impure churches. I desire to emphasize this fact, that our friends may know that we are building upon a good foundation, and that our work, whatever the rate of its progress, is in accord with the Gospel of Christ.
The discussion on the topic of “Education” called forth the deep convictions of the brethren that the churches need and must have educated pastors, and that the colored people must demand the highest benefits of education that can be obtained. The first eager, enthusiastic desire for education which followed in the wake of emancipation has been succeeded by a calm, intelligent, determined conviction that the future of the race in America depends upon the thorough education of the people.
CHURCH EXTENSION.
A question which occupied the serious attention of the brethren was the extension of our work in the State,—how may our churches be strengthened and their usefulness extended, and how may new fields be occupied and cultivated? It was represented to the Conference that several churches occupying virtually an independent position were prepared to join our ranks, and that “all things were ready” to organize churches in many communities where the people were in sympathy with our spirit and polity. To meet this demand, and to gather a harvest already ripe, the Conference decided, and I think wisely, to appoint from their own number four missionaries, who should go through the Southern parishes to preach the Word, to instruct and encourage the people, and, wherever the opportunity offered, organize believers into churches, and minister to them till stated preaching and pastoral care could be provided. The brethren appointed were Rev. W. P. Ward, of Gretna, Rev. James Craig, of Algiers, Rev. Homer Jones, of Lake Peigneur, and Rev. Samuel Smith, of Terrebonne.
I have great confidence that these brethren will bring good tidings to the Conference in 1880.
ORDINATION.
The church at Terrebonne asked that Samuel Smith, who had for several years exercised his gifts as a preacher, and who was known to the brethren as a thoroughly good man, be ordained to the Gospel ministry. The church at Lafourche Crossing presented the name of William Reed, who had supplied their pulpit for one year; and Thomas E. Hillson, of New Orleans, who was licensed two years ago, applied in his own name for ordination. The examination of the candidates was faithful and searching, and was well sustained. It was unanimously approved, and the public services of ordination took place on Saturday night, in the presence of a very large and deeply interested audience.
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
I have reserved till now the narrative of one of the most wonderful and precious revivals it has been my privilege to witness. Occurring in connection with the sessions of the Conference, it seemed like the Divine benediction upon our work.
The pastor, Rev. Wm. Butler, said to me on my arrival, “We want revival services every night. I have announced them, and the people expect them.”
No special services had been held, and no conversions had occurred; but the people were anticipating the Conference with great expectations of good. The first night the church was filled. As Moderator I preached the annual sermon to an attentive and tender audience. At the conclusion of my sermon the pastor said to me, “Call out the mourners.” I said, “No; wait until to-morrow night.” In my heart I did not expect a revival to begin the first night.
The early morning prayer meeting was a rich spiritual feast; the discussions during the day were marked by perfect harmony. At night the church was packed. The spirit of God was manifestly present. Mr. Hall and Mr. Ward preached effectively. Those desiring to become Christians were invited forward to the “mourner’s seat.” Thirteen responded. The good work had begun, and we had only to “wait and see the salvation of God.”
An inquiry meeting was held in connection with the morning prayer meeting. Those who came proved by their words and manner how deeply God had convicted them of sin, and their need of a Saviour. Night came again, and with it an eager, crowded assembly. Mr. James preached earnestly, and the number of inquirers was increased to twenty.
The next night, Saturday, was to be the last of our Conference, and my anxiety was almost painful. I was appointed to preach the ordination sermon for the three brethren to be set apart to the ministry, and in my selection and treatment of a subject I had but one desire and thought—to deepen the impression already made, and to persuade sinners to make their peace with God. I said to the brethren, “We will change the usual order of services, and the sermon will come last to-night.” God helped me to preach. I felt that His word went home to many hearts. The church could not nearly contain the throngs who came. The door-ways were crowded, and numbers stood beneath all the windows. The appeal to rise and come to Jesus was responded to by 40, half of whom were men. None could doubt the presence and power of the Holy Ghost. The tidal wave was moving on, but had not yet reached its height. On Sunday morning I took a 5 o’clock breakfast and started for two distant churches, the one 15 miles away and the other 25 miles distant from New Iberia, leaving St. Paul’s church in the care of the pastors who had remained over the Conference. As I was passing the house of one of the brethren I was called in to see the most prominent man in the community among the colored people, formerly State senator, who was under the deepest and most agonizing conviction of sin. He had risen from his bed two hours before the break of day, and had come to this house to beg the brethren to pray for him. The household were aroused, a prayer circle was formed around him, and they interceded for him with heartfelt earnestness. When I went in he was pacing the room, his tears were flowing like summer rain, and cries of agony broke from his lips. “What does this mean, Mr. Alexander?” he said to me. I replied, “It means, my dear friend, that God is speaking to you, and entreating you to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” We knelt together. I prayed for him; and he then and there offered up to God the prayer of a contrite, heart-broken man. I shall always remember one or two expressions in that prayer. “O God! Thou hast always been kind and good to me. Thou hast crowned my life with blessings, and I have been Thine enemy. O God! spare me and save me. My poor little babes who are in heaven, go to Jesus and ask Him to forgive me. All Christians in heaven, go to the Saviour and intercede for me.”
I was obliged to leave him to meet my appointments. I returned on Monday. The pastor and people met me and said, “You cannot go to New Orleans to-day; you must preach to-night.” I gladly consented. Never did I feel myself so completely in God’s hands. It was an unspeakable joy to preach the precious Gospel that night. I again appealed to all who felt their need of forgiveness to come forward and begin a Christian life. As though moved by one impulse, SIXTY at once came forward and fell upon their knees. I saw before me 30 men from 18 to 70 years of age, and as many women. With prayer and song and exhortation the meeting continued till nearly midnight. We could not close it a moment sooner. Eight or ten found peace in believing in Jesus on their knees that night.
I was compelled to return to New Orleans on Tuesday. It was God’s work, and He carried it forward gloriously. About 50 have already joined the church, including the man of whom I have particularly spoken. His confession of Christ in the church was manly and thrilling. I am in almost daily receipt of letters from the young converts. Their joy is deep, peaceful and intelligent. I feel how inadequately I have described this wonderful work of grace. I have left much for our friends to infer; but even then they can hardly conceive the warmth, the depth and the glory of this work of God.
I am profoundly grateful for the Conference of 1879, and desire to say to our friends that the “signs of promise” for our small band of Congregational churches in Louisiana were never so bright as to-day. Let those who have ever been the friends of the colored people take fresh heart and courage, and push forward the work, till brighter, richer, grander results are attained.