ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.
Washington, D. C.—The Memorial Church, recently known as the Lincoln Mission, has, as noted in the last Missionary, just blossomed into a church, and begins its life as such in a renovated hall on the corner of Eleventh and R streets. The A. M. A. and the trustees of the Mission decided last fall that the building must be repaired, and the work was so far completed that it was occupied again by the church on the first Sabbath of the new year. The room will seat about 800 people, and with the expenditure of $75 for matting in the aisles, would be very attractive indeed. Mrs. Babcock, city missionary, has opened industrial schools in connection with this church, both for mothers and the younger girls, and proves a great help in the spiritual work of the church.
Raleigh, N. C.—The winter has been unusually severe, and our people are so very poor and unprepared for it that the attendance at church services has been very small. A part of the time it has been so cold and muddy that it was impossible for the people to get about. The Sunday-school numbers 128.
Woodbridge, N. C.—The young folks are wide awake and hard at work. There are three grades in school, the highest studying Mental and Written Arithmetic, Geography, Grammar, History, Physiology, Reading, Writing and Spelling. The school is working as never before. A Band of Truth and Purity has been organized, pledged to be temperate, truthful and chaste, and to observe the rules of good society. It meets weekly in a social way and strictly examines its members.
Macon, Ga.—Some idea both of the sufferings of the poor who could not possibly meet the increased expense, and also of the drafts upon our appropriations for our school work in the South, necessitated by the intensity of the cold, may be gathered from the statement of Mr. Lathrop, of Macon, Ga., when he says: “For a week or more the mercury stood below the freezing point, going down to zero one night, and ranging from 8 to 30 degrees above, most of the time. In some places wood could with difficulty be purchased for $15 per cord by those who had the money.” Pastor Lathrop has opened a library of more than 1,000 volumes, open to all classes at the cost of five cents per month to each member. The cold winter here, as at all points in the South, has materially increased the expense of school and church work, and at the same time hindered its progress.
Atlanta, Ga.—Mr. Francis writes: “I have just come from an Inquiry Meeting, which was attended by forty persons, most of whom give good evidence that they are earnestly seeking the salvation of their souls. We have had less faithful activity in religious matters thus far in our school year than usual, owing to a variety of circumstances, but during this week the attention of very many has been aroused, and we are walking under the shadow of the manifest presence of the Spirit. Quite a number have already given good evidence that they have submitted to Christ, and several now are apparently not far from the kingdom of God. We have a large attendance, there being 102 girls and about 90 boys in the family, and we hope to gather a large harvest for the Master. We shall hold some extra meetings, but do not expect to interfere with regular school work. Thus far the interest is quiet, deep and persuasive among the girls, and we trust will be equally thorough in the other household. Pray that we may have wisdom and fidelity to rightly care for the precious interests at stake.”
Lawrence, Kan.—The last number of the Missionary stated that a young colored man had been put in charge of the Second Congregational Church of Lawrence. He (Rev. H. R. Pickney) reports the outlook of that enterprise as in every way encouraging. Several have been received into the church by letter, and the church has been quickened under the manifest presence of the Spirit in connection with a series of meetings, in which Brother Markham aided the pastor.
Chattanooga, Tenn.—It has been awfully wet, muddy and cold all the month; the like has not been experienced here for many years. The great suffering among the poor for the want of food, fuel, clothing and shelter to keep them from the terribly cold weather, was fearful. It rained steadily through the week of prayer, and we were able to have meeting only one night.
Nashville, Tenn.—During the present term, a deep religious interest has obtained among the students in Jubilee Hall. It began soon after the opening of the fall term. New students, especially, seemed to be deeply interested in their own spiritual welfare, and when the opportunity presented itself, offered themselves for prayers.
The week set apart by the International College Y. M. C. A. for prayer was observed by the members of the association in the Institution, in a half-hour prayer-meeting each evening. During that week several persons were hopefully converted. The meetings were afterward continued. Up to the time of writing fourteen students have made a profession of their faith in Christ, and others are inquiring.
The day of prayer for colleges was a good one. Several of the students are doing good work among their people in this vicinity, preaching where there is opportunity and holding prayer-meetings in private houses, so far as they can without interference with their studies, and with good effect both upon the people, and upon themselves as looking forward to their future work.
Flatonia, Texas.—A set of outline maps is needed for the school. Can anyone furnish a second-hand set?
Selma, Ala.—Rev. C. B. Curtis writes that he has been very busy holding meetings every night since the beginning of the week of prayer. He has been assisted by his brother from Marion and by Rev. Mr. Hinman, of Oberlin. Thus far there have been six conversions, a great many inquirers, and a great reviving of the members of the church.
Memphis, Tenn.—Through the kindness of Judge J. O. Pierce, the cabinet of Le Moyne Normal School has just been increased by the addition of a fine collection of minerals and fossils, numbering some hundreds of unusually fine specimens. A very interesting feature of the institution, added this season, is an experimental kitchen in which practical cookery is taught to the girls of the school. Besides this, classes are trained in needlework, etc., a room having been fitted up for this especial purpose.