ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.
Wilmington, N. C.—Pressure for admission to the lower classes still continues. The school is crowded and there already is an overflow room. Others are knocking morning, noon and night for admittance.
Macon, Ga.—School opens unusually full, but better than that is the fact that we have a good school. I can truly say that I feel we are doing well in every part of the work.
Marietta, Ga.—Our work here is decidedly encouraging. No new members yet, but three or four candidates are waiting to be admitted whenever we deem it proper to receive them. One of these is a man who brings a nice family to our Congregation; he has six very bright children, five of whom are old enough to attend our Sunday-school. I have been laboring in a quiet way, spending much of my time in visiting the people, and with better acquaintance with them I hope to do good work here. Sunday-school is already showing an increase. Our monthly and quarterly concerts are doing much good. Our choir meetings are helpful; in connection with the practice of songs for the Sabbath we teach vocal music, and allow all who wish to attend; thus far the plan has worked well. Our organ is our greatest present burden, but we hope to be able to pay for it at the stipulated time.
Anniston, Ala.—Last Sabbath was our regular communion day, and a very precious day it was to us. We were gathering up the fragments of our protracted services. There were seventeen conversions during the revival, and thirteen of the converts united with us. The church has been quickened by the Spirit and backsliders restored.
Talladega, Ala.—Our opening this fall was most favorable. The first day saw Foster Hall nearly full, and Swayne Hall well occupied. If the pupils continue to come, we shall soon be compelled to ask what we shall do with them. Both pastors of the colored churches here enter the normal department, and one the theological.
Mobile, Ala.—I feel constrained, by the reports of the coming applicants, to request an additional teacher. Yesterday and to-day we have turned away thirty or more applicants, nearly one half of whom wish to enter the B intermediate department, and nearly one half are former pupils. Some went away crying because there was no room for them.
Selma, Ala.—Our new missionary, supported by the ladies of Maine, writes as follows: “Have been here one month, and am prepared to say that I like the work and find ample opportunity for doing good. I have already called upon every member of our church. A good degree of interest is shown by the Sunday-school, also an increased interest in the church is seen and felt by all. We are hoping and praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and trust that we are remembered by our Northern friends in this respect as well as others. I am rejoiced that I am permitted to labor in this cause; encouragements far out-weigh discouragements, and when the people of the North fully realize the amount of good accomplished by the A. M. A. they will be more ready to sustain it than they have yet been.”
Memphis, Tenn.—School opened most hopefully. We now register over one hundred and forty pupils, and I have already refused children for the primary and intermediate rooms. I expect every seat will be taken in the normal room by the end of this month. Our entire work has never before opened so hopefully as this year.
Paris, Texas.—Rev. J. W. Roberts writes: Enclosed please find $1, a collection which my Sunday-school sends for “Mendi Mission.” I gave them a missionary talk yesterday on the work the A. M. A. was carrying on in Africa, and urged them to aid her in sending the Gospel to that land. The Sunday-school voted unanimously to do it. Thus they send this as a beginning.