McIntosh, Liberty County.
The Old Midway Church—Returning Courage and Prosperity.
SILAS DANIELS, GOLDING’S GROVE.
When Brother Floyd Snelson was first taken from us to go to Africa, we almost believed that we should have to strike camp in the wilderness. It gave us much pain to have him go, and the church did become very feeble at one time. Since Brother Jos. E. Smith took the place, we have had fresh courage, and have been going forward again. Yesterday was our Communion Sabbath. As usual, we had about 500 persons at the church. One young man was received to its membership. At the three communions since Brother Smith came, nine persons have joined the church. The people are coming up to their church duties with much zeal, and becoming more and more attached to their minister, and he is doing a good work among them. Our Sabbath-school, also, has been re-organized, and, with four teachers added, has an average of twenty-three or more scholars in each class. We have for the first time introduced the International Sunday-school Lessons, and all seem to be very much delighted with them.
We have a large church built by the A. M. A. that can seat five hundred persons comfortably, and it is pretty well filled every Sunday with people from all denominations, anxious to hear the true Gospel preached.
Interest in Church and Sunday-School.
REV. JOSEPH E. SMITH.
As the weather grows warm, and the wet, muddy roads become dry, thus favoring travel, the people from all directions flock in great crowds to the house of God, eager to hear the “words of eternal life.” I preached to a crowded house on last Sabbath, and many wanted to know what they “must do to be saved.” God is with us. Every Sabbath brings new signs for encouragement. There are marked evidences of a growing interest on the part of the people to learn of God through His Word. Especially has this been true since the “International Lessons” were introduced in our Sabbath-school. It makes a peculiar impression upon one to see persons fifty, sixty, seventy, and sometimes eighty years of age, whom slavery has worn out, sitting in their Sunday-school classes, with white heads and bent over bodies, with their dim, sunken eyes fixed on the teachers, and sometimes lips and throat moving as if to swallow every word. None of them can read, and it is quite amusing at times to watch them trying to recall the kings of Judah in their order, telling who the good ones were, and naming some of the good things they did. The joy and satisfaction which one shares, in being an instrument in God’s hands for the revealing of His Word unto such babes, are inestimable.