Another Female Missionary Needed.
The work at Montgomery stands greatly in need of more visiting than the pastor can accomplish. While the church and congregation are small, the field includes the whole colored population of the city and suburbs—not far from 10,000 souls—and no form of labor seems so likely to be fruitful as the work of a good woman in the homes of the people. One of our good teachers has kept up a Bible-reading in one of the poorer neighborhoods, and has thus reached a number whose ignorant prejudice renders them inaccessible to the Congregational minister. She has been able, also, to reach the hearts and homes of many others, and has shown herself to have the power to win their affection and sympathy, and lead them to higher thoughts and purposes. The attempt to combine this labor with her school duties, and the vexatious responsibilities of the matron of the Home, had its natural result in broken health and depressed spirits. Is there some church or society, or generous individual, who, in addition to regular contributions, would be willing to provide for the maintenance of a “Woman Missionary” in this field, that this faithful worker may be able to use her talents more efficiently, or, if she cannot return, that some other good woman may take her place? “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith He unto His disciples: The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest.”
A Blessed Work.
REV. GEORGE E. HILL, PASTOR, MARION.
We had an interesting day last Sunday. Seven were admitted on profession and six children were baptized—a new thing here. The audience was the largest we have had, quite filling the church, and the floral decoration of the pulpit and its surroundings added to the effect.
Our Sabbath-school is flourishing. Mrs. H. and my daughter both have classes. A few Sabbaths since, I drew a map of Palestine on the blackboard, and proposed to the scholars to “go and do likewise.” They have brought in twenty-five maps; some of them would do credit to any school at the North. There is a good promise for the future of the church in the children, many of whom already give evidence of a change of heart.
At a recent “praise-meeting,” we had testimony from twenty-five different persons, who mentioned special causes for gratitude. The people all seem eager to be helped, and to improve every opportunity. We enjoy our work more and more. It is a blessed, blessed work!