It would have inspired every reader of this article to have heard the words of thanksgiving and rejoicing, and to have seen the sympathizing tears, as they stole silently down the cheeks of those who had previously opposed the work here on account of its name and obscure history to the colored people. Permit me to say just here that many of the aristocratic whites of our village took part in the above-stated exercises.
We anchored here for some time, making repairs and casting overboard all who were diseased with intemperance and other maladies, which are so common to those who are not willing to resist the devil.
We rejoiced that the great Physician of souls had so wonderfully preserved all of our number except six. One had taken the ship of time, and sailed into eternity on the 26th of November, 1876—“Peace be to his ashes”; three took leave for other churches; thus leaving us thirty-two passengers for the next tour.
After repairing all things needful, we set sail again, with a full supply of love, truth and mercy. We landed in the midst of a glorious revival, in September, 1877. Here we took on board nineteen passengers more, and one on the 7th day of July, 1878.
A few days ago the church committee took account of stock, and found that we have on board the gospel ship fifty-two soldiers of the Cross, varying in age from thirteen to sixty, all of whom are ready for the next tour, upon which we expect to start out on the second Sabbath in September, 1878.
We have in our community some of the finest colored people in the State of Alabama, most of whom are absolute strangers to Christ. We most humbly solicit a petition in the prayers of each one who reads this article.