THE CENTRAL SOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE.
This religious body held its autumn meeting with the Second Congregational Church, Memphis, Tenn. Delegates representing the Churches in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, were present. The following programme illustrates the orderly way and the practical character of the brethren engaged in our church work South:—“Annual Sermon,” Rev. Wm. H. Ash, Florence, Ala.; “Church Extension,” Rev. Jos. E. Smith, Chattanooga; “Education,” Rev. G. W. Moore, Nashville; “Missions,” Professor H. S. Bennett, Fisk University; “How to Develop the Benevolence of the Churches,” Professor A. K. Spence, Fisk University; “Absolute Necessity of Education for the Colored People,” President Magoun, of Iowa College.
In addition to the foregoing exercises, the Conference examined and licensed for one year Mr. B. F. Foster, of Arkansas, a former student of the Theological department of Fisk University. It also renewed the licensure of Rev. W. H. Fuller, a student of the Theological department of Talladega College. During the session a council was organized for the examination of Mr. B. A. Imes, a graduate of Oberlin College and Theological Seminary, with reference to his ordination and installation as pastor of the church in which the Conference was convened. Rev. Dr. Roy was Moderator of the Council, and the examination was very thorough and satisfactory. Dr. Magoun, whose daughter is the accomplished teacher of music in the Le Moyne Institute, was present to preach the ordination sermon, and Rev. G. Stanley Pope, of Tougaloo University, to give the charge to the pastor. This young conference, which already numbers twelve churches, possesses the elements of a steady and helpful growth, indicative of a better era for pure religion at the South.