AN INCIDENT OF MOUNTAIN WORK.
BY A MISSIONARY.
At noon, the 16th, I reached Rev. Mr. ——'s home, and after dinner he hitched up his horse, and we set out for ——, some twelve miles away, reaching there at dark. 'Twas here I heard the wonderful story of ——'s rescue and salvation through Bro. ——, one of Rev. Mr. ——'s converts. Next morning I met the Sunday-school and addressed it. Then came the after-service, and it was a pleasure to look into those faces and preach the gospel message, which was so earnestly and anxiously received, and to think that only six months before a preacher could not come into this valley to preach and be safe. Some were shot, others thrashed, and because of the low element located there the place was given up as hopeless.
Our Bro. ——, in his quiet way, went into the homes and gained them by personal contact, and for six months held meetings, during which they were constrained to surrender to Christ. I had the pleasure of hearing some thirty tell the story of how our A. M. A. preacher won them. It was a marvelous work, and the good part is the activity that characterizes each member. Of the sixty members belonging to Rev. Mr. ——'s churches fifty-seven are praying members, and all sixty take active part in testimony. A most cordial relation exists between pastor and people. We held an afternoon service at another one of Rev. Mr. ——'s churches, where I had the privilege of talking and meeting the friends.
A Mother Teaching Revenge.—"We know the mother in the home of the mountaineer is a strong influence. How important that she be trained to occupy this position! I have sat at the fireside and heard the mother relate the story of a murder and turn to her eldest boy and say, 'Mind ye, if ever ye meet up with him, you'll not forget to do what ye'er mammy learned ye to do.' And that boy will not forget unless the grace of God keep him."
An Interesting Conversion.—The month has been a most blessed one to us at Deer Lodge. The meetings were not large in numbers, but they were rich in power and full of spiritual blessings. The report that ---- was converted spread quickly, and a large number came last night to see and hear him. He had been a wicked man for many years, and now his change is marked, and he proposes to live as near the Christian life as possible. He commenced to read the Bible, and reads a chapter both morning and evening. He told me last night, "I cannot read much, but my wife can help me, and so together we shall help each other." Oh, how much joy it would give us if the Holy Spirit would sweep into his kingdom a number of other precious souls at this place. We shall pray and work for this end. The young ladies who accepted Christ now take part in our meetings, and it is no small pleasure to hear them testify for Christ.
A Communion Service.—"We had a pleasant communion service last Sunday. Six young people joined in regular Congregational form after careful examination. We had previously elected a new member, who was a pupil in the school last year, to be deacon immediately upon his joining the church. One of those who joined the church made an attempt on my life last year. Though he is nearly as old as I he is now a docile pupil in the fourth-reader grade."
Heatherly Chapel.—The new church in the mountain field, in Tennessee was organized in November, and is called Heatherly Chapel. It is enjoying a very interesting revival season. About fifty have been hopefully converted, twenty-two having joined the new church. This new church is an important addition to the work which the American Missionary Association is accomplishing in the mountain field.
A Useful Church.—From Corbin comes the message of deep spiritual interest and large usefulness in the church. At the last communion five were added and the work still goes on very encouragingly. A Sunday-school is carried on by the Christian Endeavorers of the Corbin church in a community near by.
Christian Endeavor Society.—A Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized at La Follette, Tenn., early in December. Thirteen members united with this society and much enthusiasm was manifested.