ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.
Hampton, Va.—Twelve students united with the church on the 1st Sabbath of January, nearly all of them on profession of faith. Seven of these were Dakota Indians. It was a beautiful sight.
Washington, D. C.—The Lincoln Mission of this city has blossomed into the Lincoln Memorial Church, which was organized by council on the 10th of January with Rev. S. P. Smith installed at the same time as pastor. The sermon was preached by Dr. Roy, Field Superintendent, and the other parts were by Dr. Patton, Dr. Chickering, Dr. Rankin, Rev. Mr. Grimke, of the Colored Presbyterian Church, Rev. T. J. Holmes, of Baltimore, and Prof. Fairfield. Music by the organist of Dr. Rankin’s church and his superb choir.
Mrs. Babcock, of Newburyport, Mass., has commenced missionary labor with this church with every prospect of wide usefulness. She is supported by the W. H. M. A., of Boston, under commission of the A. M. A. This mission, in its Sunday-school work, runs back to the day of the Nation’s martyr, whose name it bears. It has done a vast deal of good, which has been garnered up in other churches round about, and now it turns to care for its own. It has been sustained, as it is now, mainly by Dr. Rankin’s people. The colored population of the district is 60,000, with only 3,000 outside of the city. The National Capital carries its share of the “wards.”
Augusta, Ga.—Some of the colored people drew off from one of the large churches to form a new one, and have been taking monthly collections to build a church edifice. A little girl six years old said she must have a nickel, for next Sunday was “throwing in” Sunday, and she wanted to see that church built. Her mother said she shouldn’t give her one, for she spent the last for candy and she ought to have saved that. So she went off with a basket on her arm, picked up bones and sold them for the five cents. Then a friend gave her another and she remarked: “I believe I’ll put this in, too, for that church must be built.”
Macon, Ga.—There seems to be a growing spirit of harmony among the members. The Sunday-school has had an average attendance of 116, and is in a good state of efficiency and progress. It had a very successful Christmas concert and “fruit tree,” and its other occasional concerts have been interesting. Mr. and Mrs. Lathrop have done as much missionary work as they could, and have distributed quantities of clothing, etc., to the poor, among whom there has been much real suffering from the severe weather.
Atlanta, Ga.—It is refreshing to one’s soul to get into a live prayer-meeting like ours last night. One good brother said, “This thing what you call Christianity is no small thing. It starts small, but it grows and grows and grows till it reaches out of this world into the land we call Heaven.” Another faithful brother always prays much, and especially for our school, and in his remarks last evening gave as his opinion—“If ’twan’t for what’s ben done on this yere block this city would be ten times worser’n it is in ignorance ’n superstition. I hain’t no chillun o’ my own and I dunno much about dealin’s with chillun, but I know dealin’s with chillun ain’t no funny thing.” This evidently showed his appreciation of our labor, and our hearts echoed his sentiments, while we smiled at his quaintness and originality.
Selma, Ala.—The school is larger at this time than it has ever been during the same months since my connection with it. The enrolment for the present month is 339. We have this year quite a number of young men in attendance, from our own and adjoining counties. A course of lectures, intended mainly for the parents of the scholars, has been determined upon, and two lectures have been delivered by the pastors of the Methodist and Baptist churches respectively. Others are purposed for each month of the school year.
On Friday evening, 31st inst., there was a re-union of the Church. The first hour was spent in preparatory exercises, for the coming Communion service, after which greetings by letter were read by the pastor and others, from those who had been connected with the church as pastors, and absent sisters and brothers, all showing a deep interest in the welfare and growth of the church. Then followed remarks from those present, who had come from other States and from Talladega College, giving us a description of their work in the day and Sunday-schools, showing how much they appreciate the advantages they have received and enjoyed, and are anxious to help raise others to the same standard in spiritual and intellectual advancement.
Montgomery, Ala.—This is a week of prayer and we are observing it. While the weather has thus far been very unfavorable, afternoon meetings have been excellent; though not large as to number, the spirit of them has been very encouraging. We are laboring and praying for a “quickening.” I think quite a number are seriously thoughtful. We expected to receive two last Sabbath on profession, but the terrible cold and snows of the week prevented us from having our church preparatory service on Wednesday evening. There has been a very decided advance in intelligent appreciation of the Gospel and in spirituality, within the past year, although no real increase in numbers.
Memphis, Tenn.—The religious interest in the school has brought great blessing and refreshing. On Thursday and Friday ten students were led to give clear, whole-hearted testimony to an entire change of heart and life. The school is moved through and through. Scarcely a pupil of any age but is anxiously inquiring, as are many of their friends outside. Some wonderful scenes and experiences are given us and the entire work goes on most quietly, and, we trust, thoroughly. We pray for the whole school.