SOUTHERN FIELD NOTES.
REV. GEO. W. MOORE, FIELD MISSIONARY.
There were fifteen graduates from the Normal and ten from College and four from the Musical departments of Fisk University at its last Commencement. Rev. H. H. Proctor, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Atlanta, gave the Alumni address, and Prof. W. E. Dubois, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology in Atlanta University, delivered the Commencement address.
Mr. Proctor and Dr. Dubois are both graduates of Fisk University. Both of them are men of liberal culture and at the same time earnest toilers in the work of uplifting in the South.
The sixth anniversary of the dedication of the chapel of Plymouth Church, Louisville, Ky., was an interesting occasion. Rev. E. G. Harris, the pastor, has faithful workers in his church; some of them are physicians, teachers and artisans. The church is growing in numbers and influence. A neat lecture room, built by the people, is free from debt. They have added a cabinet organ to the Church and a piano to the Sunday School, to enhance the service of song.
A conference of Christian workers was held at Asheville, N. C., during the summer for Bible study and the consideration of the best methods of Christian work, and of the forces that affect the moral and religious life of the colored people. This was the first conference of the kind held in the South in the interest of the colored people. The prominent promoters of this conference were representatives of the American Missionary Association.
Prof. W. A. Waterman, of Fisk University, came on from Northfield to conduct a course of Methods in Bible Study and Missionary Training Service.
Mr. John Gaudy, a graduate of Fisk, and Mr. M. H. Neal, a senior of Fisk, were both present and assisted in the Conferences. Both of these young men propose to enter the ministry.
The Field Missionary spoke on "The Need of Systematic Study in our Schools of the Needs and Condition of our People," "City Missions" and "Normal Bible Study."
The Young Men's Institute, where the Conference was held, is the largest and best appointed building of the kind in the country for city mission work among the colored people. It is the gift of Mr. George Vanderbilt, and cost $30,000.
The American Missionary Association was represented in Christian Work among the colored soldiers by its field missionary, Rev. G. W. Moore, who held a ten-days' evangelistic service at Camp Russell, Fort Macon, N. C. The pastor of our church at Beaufort, N. C., Rev. W. D. Newkirk, also assisted in the Christian work at Camp Russell.
The Third North Carolina Regiment of eleven hundred and eight colored soldiers are in camp at Fort Macon, an island opposite Beaufort, N. C. All the commissioned officers are colored men. Col. James H. Young, of Raleigh, is in command of the regiment. The order of the place is exceptional. No liquor is allowed, and profanity is forbidden. The regiment presents a fine appearance on parades, and the men are making rapid progress in military training and discipline. Evangelistic services were held in a large gospel tent, and were largely attended, and many of the men enlisted as soldiers of the cross. More than three hundred men expressed their desire to become Christians at one of the services. Over one hundred and fifty men avowed their faith in Christ during these special services. The interest continues and the men are seeking the way of life.
An interesting patriotic service was held during this visit, at which Col. Young presided. The whole regiment was in formation. Rev. Geo. W. Moore spoke on the meaning of the war and the patriotism of negro soldiers. He said the revolutionary war stood for liberty, the civil war for unity, and the present war for humanity.
Colonel Young, Adjutant Smith and Captain Hargrave made patriotic speeches, the band played the "Star Spangled Banner," "Dixie" and "America," and the soldiers, both officers and privates, cheered and were filled with patriotic feelings. The Colonel and all the men of the Third North Carolina Regiment thanked the American Missionary Association for its interest in their welfare, as expressed by the visit of its field missionary.