Annual Meeting at New Iberia, La.
REV. W. S. ALEXANDER, NEW ORLEANS.
Our Annual Conference met at New Iberia, April 2–6, and on account of the deep interest and spiritual results directly attending it, marks an important era in the history of the Congregational churches of Louisiana. The very delightful meeting of the Conference in 1878, at the same place, prepared us for the recurrence of like scenes this year. But the Lord had greater and better things in store for us, and the Conference of 1879 stands alone in the marvellous tenderness and earnestness which characterized all its sessions, and in the precious baptism of the Holy Spirit, resulting in the conversion of fifty souls, and in the quickening and reviving of all the churches represented.
Of the 16 churches connected with the Conference, 14 were represented. Two large churches, one at Gretna, (Rev. W. P. Ward, pastor,) numbering 250 members, and the one at Algiers, (Rev. James Craig, pastor,) numbering 121 members, which left the Conference seven years ago, and have since been independent, were very cordially re-admitted. The brethren on the ground understand the great importance of this step. The re-admission of these large churches will be an element of strength in many directions. Their temporary withdrawal was the result of a misunderstanding which should never have occurred.
Two new churches were received—the church at Harangville, in Lafourche parish, with a membership of 30, and the church at Little Pecan, in Iberia parish, eight miles from the city of New Iberia. Rev. P. P. Proctor will take charge of this church.
The year has been one of growth. Revivals were reported in several of the churches, especially in the Central Church of New Orleans and in Terrebonne.
The membership of the churches numbers 1,303. During the year ending April 1st, 1879, there have been admitted to the churches 213, of whom 190 were received on profession of their faith. Number in Sabbath-school, 670. Adult baptisms, 146; infant baptisms, 122.
Our Northern friends will be startled to know that 119 have been excommunicated during the year. But after all it is a hopeful sign. It is a process of purification painful, but necessary. The church cannot afford to shelter unworthy people. I wrote to one of the pastors who had sent his report to me, and asked him if it was true that 37 had been excommunicated from his church the past year. “Yes, sir,” he wrote me, “it is all right; they were not walking in Christ.”
DISCUSSIONS.
The subjects considered were practical and the addresses were earnest and to the point. The topics of “Church Extension,” “Education,” “Temperance,” and the “Moral Character of Ministers and Church Members,” came prominently before the Conference. The sentiments expressed, in which there was entire agreement among the brethren, were pure in tone, and placed our churches upon the broad platform of moral purity and intelligence. I shall be pardoned if I particularize. Social and domestic relations among the colored people in the dark days of slavery, in a great many instances, do not bear inspection. The necessities of those days call for a charitable judgment, but do not justify a continuance of the evil. There is but one sentiment in the Congregational churches of Louisiana on this subject: legal marriage is insisted on in all cases. No exception is allowed on any plea. Said one of our pastors while this discussion was pending, “Individuals living unlawfully can remain members of my church only so long as it takes to call a church meeting to turn them out.” The pastors agreed that they could afford to preside over small churches, but not over impure churches. I desire to emphasize this fact, that our friends may know that we are building upon a good foundation, and that our work, whatever the rate of its progress, is in accord with the Gospel of Christ.