ALABAMA.
Good Vacation Work.
REV. J. D. SMITH, SHELBY IRON WORKS.
We have just had a refreshing time here in our church from the good Lord. Shortly after that class of eight young men graduated from the Theological Department of Talladega College, Bros. Cantry, Strong and Y. B. Sims, all members of my church, came down to spend a few days at their homes with their relatives and friends before going to their fields of labor. Each of them did some faithful preaching for several evenings. It seemed at first as though we were not going to have any success, but I continued the meetings after the brethren left us, and the Lord gave us some nine or ten conversions as the result of our labors. We received ten new members into the church last night. It was one of the most interesting occasions we have ever had here. The meetings were very quiet indeed; no excitement. They were all converted through the simple preaching of the Gospel and the quiet persuasion of the spirit of Christ. There was not as much fervor among the brethren as I like to see; the Lord did the work, nevertheless, and we give all the glory to Him.
Most of the members who united with us last night were heads of families, and all of them were adults. Our church is gathering in the best material in the place. The members of the other churches say their ministers do not feed them, and they must seek for better pastures. Our church has a brighter outlook than ever before.
The Sunday-school is in a flourishing condition. The Lord is building up His Zion here. Pray for us, that we may still be refreshed from Heaven.
Outside Work.
REV. W. H. MOORE, FLORENCE.
This has been a busy week with me, and I trust one of good to our cause, in removing false impressions, &c. I have come in contact with the masses of the people; we like each other well. Last Wednesday night I preached at Oak Grove A. M. E. Church. As we approached the meeting house, our ears were greeted with a volume of song, and the woods re-echoed with such weird strains as only our people in their unlettered state can produce. The surrounding grove was filled with horses and mules hitched to the trees. The church was packed; all seats were filled, pulpit filled, windows crowded, standing room taken, doors filled, and large numbers out of doors. There were all kinds and conditions present, from the ebony hue to the pearly white, from the infant in its mother’s lap to the octogenarian; women and men sat round the floor of the rude pulpit, and just left standing room for me to speak.
The thought of their ignorance and superstition, and the fact that fifty or more of their number were seeking the Saviour, fired my heart and mind. I preached from Matt. vi., 33, and they listened with rapt attention, while I spoke as I only could under the inspiration of such an audience and the presence of the Holy Spirit. More than twenty have decided for Christ since the Sabbath.
On my return to town, I gave a lecture on Labor—the dignity of labor, and that labor should be duly rewarded. The meeting had been well advertised and worked up by friends, so there was a good turn out, especially of working-men and women.
I think I begin to see the dawn of a bright day for our cause here. To-morrow afternoon I preach a sermon to children. It is to be our S. S. Centenary (Raikes’?) Celebration. The church will be decorated with evergreen and flowers. I shall give each one a beautiful card, a present from the Muskegon, Mich., S. S. That Sunday-school and the “Little Ones of the Bird’s Nest” of Kalamazoo, Mich., have sent us a lot of beautiful papers and cards as a memento of the day.
I have had the pleasure of carrying the word of life to the aged, infirm, and sick who cannot attend church often. I receive more comfort, I think, than I give. It did do my heart good to see a dear old aged and infirm lady rejoice and weep that she had the word brought to her. I shall see this class of God’s poor as often as I can. I do enjoy the pastoral and pulpit work; would that I might do it better. It is my only ambition to become a faithful and successful minister of Jesus Christ.
To-day Mr. Alex. Jones, Sr., and I attended a large country gathering ten miles west of Florence. The crops are unusually large this year. We noticed on our way large farms of golden corn and fields of blooming cotton, which will soon be changed into snowy whiteness. This is a holiday with the farmers, who have laid by their crops and are now hopefully awaiting the harvest time. They have an annual picnic at Bethlehem Church. Two hours of the morning and two of the afternoon are devoted to speeches. The audience was large and appreciative. I spoke an hour, and received several “Amens,” “That’s so,” and “Tell it, brother.” Then followed the hand-shaking, good words, &c., when I had finished. I enjoyed it royally, and trust I did some good.