Dr. Roy presented the “Past, present and future work of the A. M. A.” in an able address, and those who have long taken part in this work were thrilled as they heard what had been done, and realized the magnitude of the work still before them. Through the providence of God, the Dark Continent was to be made light by the labors of men and women trained in these schools of the South. We are not only home missionaries, but, through our pupils, foreign missionaries. The fact that Prof. Silsby is the son of a foreign missionary of Siam, gave additional interest to his discourse on “The duty of the churches to foreign missions.”
One interesting feature of the Conference was the number and variety of the papers by the students and pastors trained in the Theological Department of Talladega College. Though greatly regretting the unavoidable absence of Prof. Andrews, who has never before missed one of these gatherings, all felt that he was well represented by his students—his boys, as they like to call themselves.
The discussion, “Shall our ministers encourage the Exodus?” by Rev. P. J. McEntosh, must not be passed by in silence; for whatever were the opinions of the audience as to the propriety of bringing forward such a question at such a time, all must have been moved by the eloquence of the speaker as he rapidly enumerated the disadvantages of the colored people of the South.
The third annual meeting of the Woman’s Missionary Association, conducted by Miss Adams, of Montgomery, was one of exceeding interest. Reports from Selma, Marion, Montgomery, Mobile, and Talladega told of lively working societies of the women and girls. The work was much the same in all. Mothers’ meetings, Bible readings, visitations of the sick, sewing-schools for the girls, all are helps in this work of lifting up the women of the South. Miss Hardy’s paper on “The word as a means of success in our work,” by its apt quotations and earnest Christian spirit, touched all hearts. A letter from Mrs. Ash, of Florence, who was educated in one of the A. M. A. schools, was received with much interest, and the manner in which it treated the question, “How shall we inspire a spirit of womanhood in our young women and girls?” highly commended. The whole spirit of the meeting showed that this subject was uppermost in the hearts of the workers, and that they realized that the colored women must be helped in their homes, if we would reach the entire community.
The Conference, after hearing an account of the meeting, passed a resolution expressing great interest in it, and approving the advance step connecting it with the new Home Missionary Association.
Time will not allow even a passing notice of many excellent addresses, but we must note a capital one on temperance by Judge Saffold, of Selma, considering the question in its legal aspect.
Tuesday night we assembled for the last time, and listened to an eloquent missionary sermon by Mr. Crawford, followed by the celebration of the Lord’s supper, Pres. DeForest and Dr. Roy officiating. It was a tender, solemn service, the most precious of the week. Then came the farewells, and we separated, feeling thankful for the privileges we had so much enjoyed.
The meetings were marked by large attendance, and are spoken of as unusually interesting.
We must not fail to mention the hospitality of the people of Selma, particularly of the Presbyterian Church. They received us most cordially, attended many of the exercises, expressing much interest in what they heard, and greatly cheered us by their Christian courtesy.
