WOMAN’S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
At Marion, Ala.
BY MISS MARY K. LUNT, SELMA.
Mrs. H. S. De Forest, of Talladega, President, called the meeting to order, and after the opening exercises, welcomed representatives of sister societies and visitors who had come in to listen to the reports of the harvesters. Letters expressing interest and good cheer were read from the President and Corresponding Secretary of the Woman’s Missionary Association of Boston. Mrs. Fay sang “If I were a Voice.” Miss Partridge, of Talladega, read a letter from Miss Sawyer, of Boxford, Mass., a former laborer in the field, showing that her interest had not abated. Miss P. added a few remarks entreating the girls to make the most of their opportunities, showing that each one had a special duty to perform in imparting to others what she herself had received.
Mrs. Andrews, of Talladega, then made an address on Woman’s Home Missionary Work, giving an account of the organization of the State society, the motives which prompted and warranted it, with a summary of the organization of the parent society in Boston and the number of missionaries first commissioned to the South and Southwest, reviewing the home work in our own State.
After singing “Rescue the Perishing,” the reports from the local societies at Marion, Mobile, Montgomery, Selma and Talladega were given. The Marion society, with its thirty names enrolled, meets once a week. The Mothers’ meeting has been conducted by Mrs. A. W. Curtis, whose illness prevented her presence at this time. Miss Mickle told how greatly they esteemed Mrs. C., and by request led in prayer for her recovery.
The girls composing the Emersonian Mission Band of Mobile, are doing their part in the work of helpfulness and uplifting, by making articles for a fair, the proceeds of which are to be given to a missionary in South Africa. The mothers’ meeting, under the influence of Miss Clark, visiting missionary, gives promise of increasing interest. The Woman’s Missionary Association has received fifty names since its organization, thirty-two reporting themselves this year. Missionary subjects are presented once a month, and a collection is taken.
Montgomery reports forty members. Since late in the winter they have been engaged in making garments for the destitute. A special case of destitution, discovered by one of the members, was the means of rousing to greater activity. The meetings of the society aim to elevate in literary culture, as well as in other directions. Mrs. Fay offered suggestions in regard to the manner of increasing the interest of these meetings. Miss Fairbanks and Miss Curtis followed with remarks, sensible and practical, in regard to the training of the girls in our churches and schools. The contributions amounted to $39, $5 of which was donated to the Mendi Mission, the remainder to home work.
Selma has an enrollment of 32. Many of the members had been unable to attend regularly on account of business and family cares. Missionary tea parties were introduced, proving quite successful. Select reading, singing, conversation and simple refreshments occupied the hours of meeting. In response to a call from Tougaloo, two quilts were made and sent to help replace those lost by fire. In connection with the mission workers, they have contributed the sum of $50, $26.75 of which was sent to the A. M. A. as a special gift, the balance being expended for the church. A ladies’ prayer-meeting, three sewing classes and children’s meeting had been sustained during the week. A Young People’s Literary Society was held on alternate Monday nights.
Talladega showed a very prosperous year in the monthly gatherings of the Mission Band, mothers’ meetings and two sewing classes. With funds collected they had purchased a carpet for the platform of the chapel, secured a share in the John Brown steamer, defrayed the funeral expenses of a poor woman and aided many needy and destitute around them. The young people of both sexes are being educated in the direction of missionary labors through the different committees which have been formed for that purpose.
A paper prepared by Miss Wilcox, of Burrell School, “Helps or Hindrances, Which?” was read by the Secretary, being a practical and earnest appeal to all Christian workers in the field to be more self-denying and untiring in their efforts for the women and girls for whom they are laboring. Another by Mrs. Headen was read on “The Gain of Giving,” reviewing three points “How, When and What Shall We Give,” aptly quoting Scripture to sustain her arguments and making a practical application.
We cannot fail to be encouraged and strengthened by this mutual interchange of thoughts, and to have our hearts drawn out in closer sympathy, while listening to the prayers of those for whom we are laboring that they may become sons and daughters of the Great King.