GEORGIA.
A New Conference Organized.
REV. S. E. LATHROP, MACON.
In Georgia, the "Empire State of the South," a Congregational Conference now exists. It was formed at Macon, Dec. 12. Part of the churches came from the Central South Conference, which formerly covered the States of Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Northern Georgia. The others were members of the now defunct Southeast Georgia Conference. By uniting together in this State organization, it is hoped that the bond of fellowship and Christian work may be strengthened. Twelve churches were represented by pastor or delegate, including the church at Orangeburg, S. C. Three of these have white pastors from the North; the others have efficient colored ministers who have been trained in the schools of the A. M. A.
Rev. Dr. Roy, of Atlanta, whom your own great State has recently given to the South for a Field Superintendent of the work among the colored people, preached a most effective opening sermon from the text, "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day and forever." We thank the Illinois churches for their gift, for Dr. Roy is evidently the right man in the right place. He is cordially and gladly welcomed, and will have a great work to do in looking after the present scattered flocks, and gathering new churches. The Conference was well officered by Rev. R. F. Markham, of Savannah, as Moderator, and Rev. J. H. H. Sengstacke, of Woodville, as Secretary; Rev. S. E. Lathrop, the newly-arrived pastor at Macon, was also chosen Statistical Secretary and Treasurer, with authority to publish the Minutes and other documents. The Macon church is a beautiful brick building, tastefully arranged, upon a commanding site which overlooks most of the city. The attendance of Macon citizens was not so large as it would have been but for a very exciting municipal election which was going on at the time, absorbing the enthusiasm of most of the people. But the Congregational church, with the "Lewis High School" in its basement, taught by two experienced lady teachers from New York, has gained the respect of the whole community by the steadiness of its members and the "sweet reasonableness" of its doctrines as handed down from past generations.
To those unaccustomed to deal with the Freedmen, one very noticeable thing was their intelligence, and especially their knowledge of parliamentary law as applied to deliberative bodies. They are thoroughly posted in all the intricate mazes of motions, amendments, substitutes and privileged questions, and everything must be done in a strictly parliamentary way. This is, perhaps, a characteristic of the whole Southern people, white or black. They have also a good knowledge of Congregational usages, and seem to be much attached to the ways of the Pilgrim Fathers.
One evening was devoted to a temperance meeting (a subject, by the way, which needs great attention in the South), with several earnest and spirited addresses by both white and colored speakers. The vice of drunkenness is very prevalent in this part of the country, both in the churches and out of them. The "fire-water" has its charms for the red, white and black races alike. Even among the colored preachers of some denominations, drunkenness is by no means uncommon.
Rev. Floyd Snelson, recently returned from the Mendi Mission, Africa, gave a very interesting sketch of the work among that people. Several of the (colored) churches of the city were supplied on Sunday by members of the Conference. There is little affiliation of the white churches. Mr. John R. McLean, a promising young man of pure negro blood, was ordained by a council as a closing exercise of the Conference—a very impressive service. Sermon by Rev. S. S. Ashley, of Atlanta; charge to the candidate, Rev. R. F. Markham, of Savannah; ordaining prayer, Rev. S. E. Lathrop, of Macon; right hand of fellowship, Rev. J. H. H. Sengstacke, of Woodville.
Congregationalism in the South is not a failure. The outlook is hopeful. The tendencies of our polity to induce intelligence and self-control are more and more observed, and the better classes of Southern people are coming out with more strongly pronounced words of commendation. Men and money, patience and prayer, wisdom and work, will elevate the black man to his proper place, surely, though it may be slowly.—Advance.