SUMMER REVIVALS.
McLEANSVILLE, N.C.
The first Sabbath of September we began a series of meetings, assisted by Rev. Geo. S. Smith and Rev. Mr. Turner, of Raleigh. On the Sabbath the house would not hold the congregation. Quite a number came from ten to twelve miles, a few from twenty to twenty-five miles.
Many white people attended every night meeting. Indeed, more white people attended the services than had ever attended any one meeting here since the church was built. A number of them have expressed themselves well pleased with the preaching.
Seven persons, two of them pupils in our Normal School, professed faith in Christ. We think the influence on the community, both white and colored, has been good.
SAVANNAH, GA.
My work in Savannah, as supply, during the summer, was greatly blessed of the Lord. For nearly two months my efforts were to become acquainted with the church and people in general, and in the meantime we were preparing our hearts for the ingathering of precious souls. On Monday night, July 18th, we began a series of meetings for the unconverted. They continued about three weeks, during which time thirty confessed Christ. Most of these, we believe, were hopefully converted. Three or four of those who sought Christ in the meetings have been brought out into the light of a dear Saviour since the meetings closed; thus making the number more than thirty. Seventeen united with us, and a few more will come in at the next communion. Some, of course, joined other churches with their parents or friends. We held a young convert’s meeting each week from the close of the protracted meeting to the last of September, when I left for school. There was nothing to me more cheering than to listen to the simple child-like prayers and talks of the young converts in their meetings. The youngest are three little girls who are respectively about nine, eleven and twelve years old. They are always at their post, and it is hoped that their Christian lives will be long and active.
McINTOSH, CYPRESS SLASH, GA.
In my last letter I informed you of the extra series of meetings we were having. We continued our protracted efforts for two weeks. Now we have the grand result. On last Sabbath I baptized twelve hopeful converts, and four were added on profession; all of these are adults. Sixteen hopeful young men and women have been added to the church within the last two weeks. God has greatly blessed us in our efforts to build up His kingdom, for which we give many thanks, and are very greatly encouraged. Pray for us that others may be added, such as shall be saved.
TALLADEGA, ALA.
Our series of meetings began on the first Sabbath in September, and at the first invitation offered to the unconverted, at the 11 o’clock service, five came forward inquiring the way of life, and strange to say, each of that five was hopefully converted before the next Sabbath. There were several other inquirers during that week, but on account of repairs to the chapel, we were obliged to close our meetings on Tuesday of the next week. Eleven united with our church—six on profession, and five by letter. Not being ordained, it was necessary that I should get some other minister to perform the baptism and administer the Lord’s Supper. Elder Shuford, in charge of the Methodist church in this place, aided me, and the work was accomplished.
ANNISTON, ALA.
The revival work commenced in our county the middle of July. Since that date several churches of different denominations have been carrying on revival meetings. All, more or less, have rejoiced over the ingathering of souls.
Even our own little church has felt the visitation of the Holy Ghost and witnessed the gathering in of the sheaves into the Master’s store-house. We began our meetings two weeks ago. The first week we carried on a woman’s prayer meeting. The subject was, “That the church might lay aside every weight and sin, which doth so easily beset, and labor for the conversion of souls.” These meetings did a great deal of good, for when the meetings proper began, the church was ready to enter upon the Master’s work, which it did with great earnestness. The meetings closed with eight conversions. All united with us save one. Others are anxiously seeking for the blessed Master. There was an expression of great joy among my people to know that they had seven more to come around the Lord’s table and take with us the emblems of our Lord’s broken body and shed blood.
LAWSONVILLE AND THE COVE.
The church at Lawsonville has been blessed with a revival. There were seven conversions and four accessions to the church. At the Cove we enjoyed a revival season in which there were seven conversions and three accessions. The meetings did great good in reviving professed Christians, and bringing parties out of the path of the church to a realization of their responsibilities to God and society. I visited and assisted Bro. Snell at Kingston during a revival at that place, in which there were several conversions prior to my leaving, among which were four white men of respectability in that community. I have just returned home from a revival at my former station, Anniston, where much good was done in reviving the church, and turning some seven or eight souls from the error of their ways.
CHILDERSBURG, ALA.
We commenced our summer series of meetings on the fourth Wednesday night in July. On the Sabbath we had a great gathering. In the afternoon prayer meeting, every body seemed to be deeply impressed with the spirit of the Lord, and at night many came forward for prayers. The house was full all day and at night. About two o’clock I was awakened by the alarm of fire, and one of my members rapped at the door and said, “Our church is on fire!” I rose to my feet and reached the church just as it was falling in.
We came down to the Baptist church and continued our meetings. Many took a stand for the Lord and joined our church. After my meetings were over, I helped others. At Shelby Iron Works twelve or fifteen gave their hearts to the Lord, and at Talladega the meetings were very interesting and profitable.
NASHVILLE, TENN.
On the first Sabbath of the month a revival began and continued for two weeks. Our meetings were large and spirited, and all of us have been benefited by them, some of us in a special manner.
The little flock is greatly strengthened and revived, and is in a better working condition. All little jealousies and acrimonies have been buried (I trust never to rise again), and a kindly feeling pervades the entire atmosphere of our church circle. As a result of the revival, five persons have been added to our church, and these five are live and not dead Christians.
PARIS, TEXAS.
Our protracted meetings began here the fourth Sunday in June and continued two weeks. We had no conversions, but the church was revived. During these meetings many persons came forward to be prayed for. Two weeks later the fire of the Holy Ghost which was kindled here broke out at Pattonville. We joined our brethren out there in a week and a half meeting. Before the meetings broke up we had thirteen to come out on the Lord’s side; six joined our church, and the rest went into other churches. Bro. Jordan Carter, a worthy young member of my church, keeps up this work here and at New Hope. The spiritual condition of these churches in the country is good. Pattonville church has 30 or more members, and New Hope and Paradise 43. These churches meet with us in a quarterly conference regularly.
Our white brethren of the various denominations invited us colored brethren to organize with them in a minister’s meeting which meets every Monday at 3 P.M. We are discussing some very vital questions in these meetings.