ALABAMA.
CONFERENCE OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
A Full and Delightful Meeting—Abundant and Most Courteous Hospitality of the Citizens.
BY MISS A. E. SAWYER.
The fifth annual meeting of the Alabama Conference was held, beginning Saturday evening, March 27th, and closing on the evening of the 30th, at Selma, a city noted for wide streets, beautiful trees, and pleasant homes. Rev. C. B. Curtis assured us of a hearty welcome from the church, which had long been anticipating this meeting, and Rev. O. W. Fay, of Montgomery, followed with the opening sermon, upon Christian activity.
The sermon on Sabbath morning, by President DeForest, upon the power of the Gospel, was given in concise, terse language, and when, at the close, he pictured the scene at the last day, when Christ should receive the redeemed from all kindreds and nations, the “amens” from many hearers testified that their hearts had been touched.
The children’s service in the afternoon opened with an earnest address, by Prof. Ellis, upon temperance, followed by Mr. Y. B. Sims, upon the same subject.
Dr. Roy preached in the morning in the First Presbyterian Church, and at night, Pres. DeForest filled the same pulpit, both to the edification of the hearers, as we judge from various remarks of the members. The fame of the morning sermon came from thirty miles “out in the country,” and one good man said of the other preacher, “he ought to be an evangelist; we want to get him away from you.” The prayer-meetings were full of interest.
Pastors and delegates from the fifteen churches were present. Some spoke of special religious interest, others of neighborhood prayer-meetings, one of a pastor’s class for brother ministers, some of farms recently purchased to be carried on by different members for the benefit of church or school; and various plans for the uplifting of the people showed that the pastors of these little churches are thinking and working, as one of their own members said, “still holding on, though there are discouragements.”