ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.
Hampton, Va.—“I am glad to tell you that two of your Indian boys, Murie and Hustice, are to unite with our church on next Sunday.”
Raleigh, N. C.—The spiritual condition of the church is still very encouraging. Fifteen persons entered into covenant last Sunday, which made it a day of rejoicing. Six others have been voted into the church, and will enter into covenant at the next communion.
Wilmington, N. C.—A pleasing incident occurred at our communion season last Sabbath. Four generations in one family were represented, from the aged great-grandmother to the infant who was presented for baptism by its grandmother, a close-communion Baptist; her impenitent son, the father, and the young mother, who is a member of our church, standing by her side. The grandmother afterward communed with us.
Charleston, S. C.—Mr. Cutler writes: “Yesterday was a grand day for us. The church renewed its covenant. About 100 were present. Some 30 or 40 others sent word that they wished to do so. We are now in a condition to go forward. I trust the renewal was made sincerely.”
Augusta, Ga.—“At one place where I called, an old lady had the care of several grandchildren. One evening she said, ‘I don’t know what I shall do to-morrow, for I’ve only one nickel left.’ Then, one of the grandchildren replied, ‘Grandma, don’t you know you always say, “the Lord will provide”? Don’t you worry; it will be here in the morning.’ And sure enough she went over to the depot the next morning, and two ladies asked her to wait on them, and gave her fifty cents, and another said, ‘Here, auntie, take this basket and empty it for me,’ and there was provision enough to last all day and part of the next. ‘Children, you just trust the Lord,’ is a remark she often makes.”
Woodville, Ga.—“Our revival is still going on. God is with us. Brother Markham preached here last Sunday, and four persons were admitted to membership.”
Milledgeville, Ga.—A society for little children has recently been formed in this town, known as the “Rising Youths’ Society.” It promises well. The Sunday-school is still flourishing.
McIntosh, Ga.—The church work is growing. Five have been added to the church since last July, and a number are to unite at the May communion.
Miller’s Station, Ga.—From Miss Douglass: “You see by the date that I am once more out of Savannah. It was hard to get away, for there were many who were inquiring, and needed to be sought out and led to the Saviour. I came out to fill an appointment for a Bible reading here last night. There were only thirteen present, as it was rainy. One of these was an old gray-headed man, who suffers much from rheumatism. He walked nearly two miles to get here, yet expressed himself as ‘very much satisfied’ with the pay he received for his walk.”
McIntosh, Ga.—Rev. A. J. Headen writes: “I have a great deal of walking to do because I have no horse, and I am not able to go as much as I might if I had one. Please see if you can help me to secure one through some friend. I give you my word it would add a hundred per cent. here to our work if a horse could be put in the field. Some days I walk from eight to nine miles to see the people and to attend to church work.”
Macon, Ga.—Rev. S. E. Lathrop writes: “When Brother Rogers was here he told us we ought to ‘pray for a missionary horse.’ Whether that is the best way to get one or not, I am not sure, but I do wish we had one. When I see a serviceable horse, I sometimes feel like breaking the tenth commandment, and saying, as the disciples said to a certain colt’s owner, ‘The Master hath need of him.’ We feel the need of some kind of locomotive power, as the hot weather of spring has begun. Our long walks under the burning sun, take the starch out of our linen, to say nothing of the lassitude and fatigue of body. There are no street cars now running in Macon; they are bankrupt, defunct and buried (i. e. the tracks) under sand and gravel. Some of our members live two miles in one direction and some three miles in another. The whole congregation are scattered far and wide, hence they are somewhat irregular, and the labor of visitation is much increased. If we had a horse we could accomplish much more, besides saving something on draymen’s bills, etc., etc. All our workers need the recreation of riding for the sake of health, and we can’t afford to hire hacks. Now I don’t know why I wrote this, except that I do feel like ‘praying for a missionary horse.’ Join your prayers with ours.”
Talladega, Ala.—The theological students at Talladega College have just been favored with a course of lectures on Eschatology by Rev. H. S. De Forest, President of the College. The students manifested a lively interest in these lectures, and in the study of the intricate and somewhat obscure field of thought traversed by them. The lecturer having positive views, combined with much classic and theologic learning on the themes discussed, and possessing a warm, Christian heart, did not fail to make a deep impression on all who heard him.
Eight young men will be graduated from the Theological Department of the College this year, all of whom will enter the Congregational ministry in the South. They are now warmly welcomed to the pulpits of all denominations, and are recognized as an important factor in the elevation of the colored people in this region.
Kymulga, Ala.—A very interesting temperance meeting is reported. Sixty persons were present. The exercises consisted of singing, addresses and selections by the members of the Society. Rev. H. S. De Forest, of Talladega, visited the Sunday-school and preached for the people.
Childersburg, Ala.—Rev. Alfred Jones writes: “My work is in a lively condition. I have a full house. My people seem to study the Bible with greater interest than they ever have before. Some come to my church who did not like it at first.”
Anniston, Ala.—Rev. P. J. McEntosh has been the victim of a very pleasant “April Fool.” On returning from Conference he was invited into the chapel, and found, to his great surprise, that an excellent stand for the choir had been erected, with banisters and place for books. The work had been done with the proceeds of a surprise party given while he was away.