ALABAMA.
Conference at Mobile.
We received too late for publication in our May issue, a full and well written report of the Sunday-school Convention and Conference of Congregational Churches held at Mobile, Ala., the last of March.
The opening sermon was preached by Rev. A. W. Curtis, of Marion, Friday evening, March 25th. Saturday was devoted mainly to reports from the Sabbath-schools, which brought out a valuable discussion on the question of the establishment of mission schools and the benefits of the visitations necessitated thereby. An address on “The teachers’ meeting” by Rev. O. W. Fay, was mentioned as a paper of choice thought. A general discussion followed the reading of the paper.
The sessions of the conference were opened Saturday evening by a sermon from Prof. G. W. Andrews, of Talladega, who chose for his theme, “The Harmony between the Divinity and Humanity of Christ.”
On Sunday, ministerial fellowship and courtesy were shown by a number of the pastors of the city, both white and colored, by sending in requests that their pulpits might be supplied by representatives from the Conference. Monday was occupied chiefly by papers and discussions, which appear to have been of unusual interest. Monday evening Dr. Roy gave a full and most instructive account of the origin and progress of the A. M. A., and was followed by Pres. DeForest, of Talladega, and several others, who urged the need of education for the 600,000 who, in Alabama, are sitting well nigh in midnight darkness. The Conference is reported to have given great satisfaction to those in attendance, and to have elicited much sympathy among the white pastors and several of their families, who opened their doors for the entertainment of some of the delegates.—Ed.
Woman’s Missionary Meeting at Mobile.
MISS EMMA E. CAUGHEY.
Mrs. O. D. Crawford, as acting President, opened the meeting, and in a very happy manner addressed a few words of welcome to representatives of sister societies with us and also to the ladies of the city, who by their presence showed their sympathy with our work; and expressed the hope that the meeting would inspire all with new zeal, and refresh us with a new baptism of the Holy Spirit. Mrs. Cheeny then sang a solo, “What shall the harvest be?” which very appropriately appealed to the gleaners in the field and opened the way for bringing in the sheaves of the year’s work.
Reports from local societies at Selma, Montgomery, Talladega and Mobile were given. Selma sent in a very interesting report. Many good results seem to be growing out of their missionary meetings. In the woman’s meeting $80.45 has been raised during the past year, and among the “Mission Workers,” who are under the care of Miss Lunt, $27.85. The Montgomery society reported a discouraging state of affairs at the beginning of the last, its third year, having but twenty-five names on the roll, some of these permanently out of the city, more who did not again connect themselves with the society, and of the small remnant left death had claimed four; while the resignation of both President and Secretary took off two wheels of the chariot at once; but the “royal remnant” rallied to the front and succeeded in creating a good degree of interest, by various ingenious plans, until now the roll of membership numbers forty, and the outlook for the coming year is hopeful. The expressed aim of the societies is to promote intelligence, industry and piety among the women and girls, believing that the missionary spirit will as naturally follow as that flowers in good soil will bloom in the warm sunlight and soft showers.
The report from Talladega was encouraging. In connection with this society are three committees, one for visiting the sick, one on visiting in general, and the third, called the “Highway and Hedge Committee,” consisting of young men, who report any destitution which they may find. The society acts upon these reports and grants any aid which is within its power. A mothers’ meeting is held, and also a girls’ mission band, before whom mission work is held up in such a way that the hope is expressed that some may be led to consecrate themselves to the work of carrying the Gospel to Africa. From Mobile the report from the mothers’ meeting showed an enrolment of thirty-two, nine of whom have been added this year, while the average attendance has been eight; the great disparity between the enrolment and the average attendance being mainly due to the great disadvantages under which the mothers labor, many of them widows obliged to toil hard for the support of their families. It is only owing to a faithful and earnest desire that some are enabled to gather at the weekly meeting for prayer. By much self-denial this year the mothers have contributed $3.50 for the Mendi Mission. The Emersonian Mission Band, formed from the girls of Emerson Institute, was reported in a state of progress; thirty-nine members enrolled. The girls have been working every Saturday afternoon since November 13, preparing salable articles for a fair, the proceeds to be devoted to mission work, both at home and in foreign fields. The character of the meetings is social, industrial and religious combined, hoping to elevate the standard of virtue and piety among our girls and give them correct ideas of pure womanhood. Rev. Dr. Roy addressed the association, expressing in very hearty and encouraging words his views of woman’s position and importance in the world at large, but more especially in this particular branch of God’s work, “Woman’s Work for Woman,” in the missionary field. We were next favored by a solo from Mrs. DeForest, of Talladega, “Not a sparrow falleth,” which was very beautifully rendered. Miss Strode, a former student from Emerson Institute, being called upon, arose and gave some of her personal experiences. Miss Stevenson, the visiting missionary at Mobile, in a few words, gave expression to the gratitude she felt toward the kind people of the North, who, during the past winter, had sent her fifteen barrels of clothing and over $100 in money to assist, in relieving destitution and want among the people for whom she is laboring, thus making her the dispenser of their generosity. Miss Lunt, visiting missionary at Selma, read a paper on “The True Success of Missionary Work—What is it?” in which she compared the condition of heathen nations in past ages with their condition since the missionaries had planted the banner of the cross on their coast; how woman had been elevated from her menial life of servitude and oppression to be a help-meet capable of the highest mental improvement, fitting her for the noblest enjoyments of life, spiritually, mentally and socially. Mrs. Cheeny read a paper prepared by Mrs. A. W. Curtis, of Marion, on “How to Reach Mothers in their Homes.” Since Mrs. Curtis is an invalid and a great sufferer, being unable to visit among the homes, it seemed at first an unfortunate topic for her consideration; but when we listened to her paper and saw how she had been directed of the Lord to reach the mothers and help them by bringing them to her own home, and there giving them the perfect illustration of what a true Christian home may be, and of counseling and instructing them, we were led to say, “Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. Man deviseth his ways, but God directeth his steps.” This paper was an inspiration, must have been, to every mother present. To this contact with the mother at her own home, Mrs. Curtis points as the first seed dropped which led to the revival at Marion, where such a harvest was reaped for the Lord. Mrs. Deforest, of Talladega, read a paper on “How shall we Increase the Interest in our Work?”
These brief mentions are only crumbs which fell from our bountifully loaded table, the fragments, hastily and poorly gathered together, but we hope that you may gain some faint idea of the good which came to us by our mutual exchange of thought and sympathy, and the encouragement we received to persevere in our good work.