THE WORK AT FLORENCE, ALA.
BY REV. W. H. ASH.
The closing year has been peculiarly blessed. We commenced with dark clouds over our work in the beginning of the year, but ere the work was well started they proved to contain blessings. The good which the Association, under God, has accomplished here for the poor, is only seen vividly as we compare the results of the present year with those of four years ago. Then we had no church edifice; begun a day-school with three scholars in an old shell of a building for a school-house; the Sabbath-school had about ten scholars. Now we number nearly forty. Since that time a beautiful chapel has been built and a snug parsonage, and we now have an enrolment of seventy scholars in the day-school.
Some of our pupils have passed a very satisfactory examination before the Board of Examiners, and received certificates to teach in the public schools this summer. Our work has grown this year more than ever in the favor and confidence of both white and black. I believe that the good effect of the closing exercises will make the school very large next fall. One pleasing fact in connection with the exercises was the young organist we presented to the public. Ours is the only colored church here that has an organ, and my wife is the only colored woman, so far as I know, in the county, who plays the organ. Now that she has taken one of the girls and taught her how to play, one of the colored churches has ordered an organita for its Sabbath-school.
Another fact of interest is that the county Superintendent of Education has consented to give to our school a portion of the public money, so that we may teach it as a public school.
The interest of the church and school has been very much increased by a fine bell, given by Mr. F. W. Carpenter, of the Central Church, Providence, R.I., also a beautiful communion service, presented by the ladies of the same church.
We have received a barrel from the ladies of the church at Yarmouth, Mass. Many of the pieces will go to assist a poor girl who intends entering Fisk University next fall.
We have received a box from Rev. C. L. Woodworth, which enabled us to help worthy ones in the Sabbath-school.
My wife has planted a flower garden in front of the parsonage. I have planted a vegetable garden, which has given me an opportunity for physical exercise. We have every variety of vegetables, and as fine as I ever saw anywhere. My white potatoes are particularly fine.