GEORGIA.
Pilgrim Church and Sunday-School—Band of Hope—Twichell School.
REV. JOHN H. H. SENGSTACKE, WOODVILLE.
This small settlement of colored people is situated three miles west of Savannah, Ga. It was bought by a Northern agent, and divided into half-acre lots, which are now selling, on the instalment plan, for seventy-five dollars each. The houses are very small and uncomfortable; but since the American Missionary Association has erected a new meeting-house and parsonage, the people have commenced to put up better dwellings, and a strong love for home comforts is gradually taking hold upon the masses. The inhabitants of Woodville obtain a living by selling in the city market, or laboring in gardens and on rice plantations. In this settlement there are two groceries, and three on its border, where strong drink is sold, even on the Lord’s day.
The only house of worship in this place is the Pilgrim Congregational Church. This church was organized in 1871 as the Woodville Church, and re-organized in 1875 as the Pilgrim Church. A new site was chosen, and the present meeting-house was erected in the same year. This church has been a great blessing to the people. A deep religious feeling has prevailed in our midst, and many have become savingly acquainted with the Lord Jesus Christ. Rev. Mr. Markham is deeply interested in this little church, and a great assistant to the young pastor in charge. A revival is still in progress; twenty persons have been recently added to the church, and seven are waiting to be received at the next Communion.
The Sabbath-school is prospering. We have no well qualified teachers as yet, but Twichell School is preparing instructors for this work. We need lesson papers and other papers. Who will help us in this direction? Our Band of Hope consists of both adults and children. This society is working hard to save men from a drunkard’s grave, and hell. It has much opposition to overcome. The rum-sellers and whisky-drinking church-people are its worst enemies.
Twichell School.—This school is held in the church, and is taught by the pastor. Through the benevolence of the A. M. A. and the Congregational Church Sabbath-school at Grand Rapids, Mich., we have been able to instruct hundreds of children, and it is pleasing to know that our labor has not been in vain, for many of the little ones are rejoicing in Christ the Lord. Mrs. S. N. M., of Dubuque, Iowa, “the Merry Workers,” at Grand Rapids, Mich., and other Northern friends, deserve our sincere thanks for the deep interest they have taken in this work. Every effort put forth in the name of Jesus to elevate this ignorant people deserves the heartiest encouragement.
School Children Farming—Their Parents Buying Farms.
SEABORN SNELSON, MCINTOSH.