THE ALABAMA CONFERENCE.
BY MRS. H. W. ANDREWS.
The day came at last for our annual pilgrimage to the Mecca of Congregationalism in Alabama—our Congregational Conference. It was perfect, as Southern spring-days are apt to be—woods and fields bright with flowers and merry with bird songs. The pastors and delegates, filing from many directions, met at depots, their very greetings the happy premonitions of a good time. Selma seemed to be the place of rendezvous, and the cars from thence to Marion were quite well filled, as in the latter place the conference was to convene.
I regret to mar my recital here by that which alone I take no pleasure in writing. Some otherwise excellent railroad officials thought we were anxious to ride in the same car with our pupils, teachers, and church members, because they were black, while really the young people were only asking for what their first-class tickets called for. I would like to raise a question here. What can be done about these first-class tickets sold to colored people, compelled to take passage on them in second-class cars? We missionaries are most heartily in favor of a peaceable solution of this question. A quarrel takes time and nerve, and hinders Christian development and progress; yet some apt person has said, “If you have got to have one, there is nothing like it.” I hope that we shall be wise enough not to have one.
Once at Marion, how cordial and hearty the greetings! We forgot our tribulations by the way in the warm hearts and friendly tones of co-laborers. The houses of some of our Southern friends were open to us for entertainment, and we very much enjoyed their sincere and graceful hospitality.
The Sunday-school Convention, held previous to the Conference, but in connection with it, was opened by a sermon from Rev. G. W. Andrews; text, “The word of the Lord is tried.”
To do justice to the interest of the Convention on Saturday would require all of the space allotted me. Sunday-school reports given by delegates from the various schools were never more interesting. The work of temperance in all the schools was a chief feature. One colored brother expressed it pithily, if not grammatically, when he said, “Dere seems to be a skim ober de eyes of mos’ of my brederen on dis gret subjec.” In the temperance work among the children, to save them we must keep this “skim” from forming.
In the afternoon an interesting map-lesson, “The Journeys of our Saviour through the Holy Land,” was given by a colored brother, though of the Anglo-Saxon race. If a query arises in the minds of my readers, it may help to make it clear when I say that though black he is white.
The Conference opened Saturday night with a glowing and effective sermon by our Field Superintendent, Dr. Roy. How easy it seemed, while listening to him, to make sacrifices for the dear name that every Christian loves.
In the much regretted absence of President DeForest, of Talladega College, Rev. G. W. Andrews filled his place, and as it was communion Sabbath, spoke from the words, “I am the bread of life.” That it satisfied the hunger of many new disciples was evidenced before us by the nineteen who were taken into the church that morning and partook for the first time of this emblem of the life-giving power of our Saviour. The beating rain without only made the comfort, security and sweet peace within the more precious. As we looked into one and another of the formerly hard faces of these new travelers in the narrow way we felt how great the reward of the faithful laborers who have been instrumental in putting the new song into their mouths. It added to our personal interest in them that the pastor and wife had told us of the especial efforts on the behalf of each one.
Sabbath afternoon was given to the children, but the rain kept them at home and also hindered the night service. Rains in Alabama are surely as emphatic as Miss E. B. Emery with her impressive pen, claims they are in Boston, and this season the disposition of each rain is to develop a flood.
On Monday, after the very spiritual devotional exercises which preceded the beginning of each morning session, the business of organization was attended to, followed by reports from the churches. I have wondered why it is that these reports so often considered “dry” in the North, should in this Southern work always be so full of interest. Is it that the Spirit here is “poured out like water”?
An interesting paper upon “What caused the intellectual darkness of our ancestors and how shall we avoid a like repetition?” by Mr. Y. B. Sims, was well spoken of by all as thoughtful, earnest and suggestive.
Next there came a masterful paper by Rev. O. W. Fay, of Montgomery, on the “New Revision, its excellencies and defects.” Some of us had listened to Dr. Schaff on this subject of the revision last summer at Chautauqua, and we felt that the Dr. Schaffs were multiplying. The remainder of the afternoon was spent in examining three candidates from the Theological Department of Talladega College for licensure. As it was not my privilege to hear the examination, I noted the words of a very competent judge who said that their careful and correct answers showed the thoroughness of their theological training. The harvest is plenteous and the laborers are multiplying.
Another feast of the meeting was enjoyed at night in the address of our Field Superintendent, Dr. Roy, upon the “Geography of missionary work in the United States, more particularly in the Southern field.” Capt. C. W. Lovelace, of Marion, a warm friend of the work, requested a repetition of a portion of it on the following night and brought with him several of his white friends to hear it. They expressed satisfaction and profit at so much information. Some hearts among our Southern friends are evidently taking hold of the work with us; now what should hinder their hands?
Tuesday morning was given to pastoral work and ministerial culture, and the question how to promote revivals was participated in by all the brethren, who were limited to ten minutes in their speeches. Some thought this the richest morsel of the feast.
Rev. O. D. Crawford, of Mobile, gave a paper in the afternoon, subject, “Obedience to the law, evidence of saving faith,” which on account of absence I regret not being able to report.
The “Praise Meeting” at night, the last of the four days’ session, was indeed such in spirit and in fact. I was never in a meeting that seemed so to flow with Divine love as did this one. The spirit of God seemed to envelope us like a great mantle, and out from its rich folds were felt the praises to His all-glorious name.
The warmth of our reception, the care and attention bestowed upon our comfort during our stay, made us regret, on departing, that our good-bye must be said for five years.