The early morning prayer meeting was a rich spiritual feast; the discussions during the day were marked by perfect harmony. At night the church was packed. The spirit of God was manifestly present. Mr. Hall and Mr. Ward preached effectively. Those desiring to become Christians were invited forward to the “mourner’s seat.” Thirteen responded. The good work had begun, and we had only to “wait and see the salvation of God.”
An inquiry meeting was held in connection with the morning prayer meeting. Those who came proved by their words and manner how deeply God had convicted them of sin, and their need of a Saviour. Night came again, and with it an eager, crowded assembly. Mr. James preached earnestly, and the number of inquirers was increased to twenty.
The next night, Saturday, was to be the last of our Conference, and my anxiety was almost painful. I was appointed to preach the ordination sermon for the three brethren to be set apart to the ministry, and in my selection and treatment of a subject I had but one desire and thought—to deepen the impression already made, and to persuade sinners to make their peace with God. I said to the brethren, “We will change the usual order of services, and the sermon will come last to-night.” God helped me to preach. I felt that His word went home to many hearts. The church could not nearly contain the throngs who came. The door-ways were crowded, and numbers stood beneath all the windows. The appeal to rise and come to Jesus was responded to by 40, half of whom were men. None could doubt the presence and power of the Holy Ghost. The tidal wave was moving on, but had not yet reached its height. On Sunday morning I took a 5 o’clock breakfast and started for two distant churches, the one 15 miles away and the other 25 miles distant from New Iberia, leaving St. Paul’s church in the care of the pastors who had remained over the Conference. As I was passing the house of one of the brethren I was called in to see the most prominent man in the community among the colored people, formerly State senator, who was under the deepest and most agonizing conviction of sin. He had risen from his bed two hours before the break of day, and had come to this house to beg the brethren to pray for him. The household were aroused, a prayer circle was formed around him, and they interceded for him with heartfelt earnestness. When I went in he was pacing the room, his tears were flowing like summer rain, and cries of agony broke from his lips. “What does this mean, Mr. Alexander?” he said to me. I replied, “It means, my dear friend, that God is speaking to you, and entreating you to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” We knelt together. I prayed for him; and he then and there offered up to God the prayer of a contrite, heart-broken man. I shall always remember one or two expressions in that prayer. “O God! Thou hast always been kind and good to me. Thou hast crowned my life with blessings, and I have been Thine enemy. O God! spare me and save me. My poor little babes who are in heaven, go to Jesus and ask Him to forgive me. All Christians in heaven, go to the Saviour and intercede for me.”
I was obliged to leave him to meet my appointments. I returned on Monday. The pastor and people met me and said, “You cannot go to New Orleans to-day; you must preach to-night.” I gladly consented. Never did I feel myself so completely in God’s hands. It was an unspeakable joy to preach the precious Gospel that night. I again appealed to all who felt their need of forgiveness to come forward and begin a Christian life. As though moved by one impulse, SIXTY at once came forward and fell upon their knees. I saw before me 30 men from 18 to 70 years of age, and as many women. With prayer and song and exhortation the meeting continued till nearly midnight. We could not close it a moment sooner. Eight or ten found peace in believing in Jesus on their knees that night.
I was compelled to return to New Orleans on Tuesday. It was God’s work, and He carried it forward gloriously. About 50 have already joined the church, including the man of whom I have particularly spoken. His confession of Christ in the church was manly and thrilling. I am in almost daily receipt of letters from the young converts. Their joy is deep, peaceful and intelligent. I feel how inadequately I have described this wonderful work of grace. I have left much for our friends to infer; but even then they can hardly conceive the warmth, the depth and the glory of this work of God.
I am profoundly grateful for the Conference of 1879, and desire to say to our friends that the “signs of promise” for our small band of Congregational churches in Louisiana were never so bright as to-day. Let those who have ever been the friends of the colored people take fresh heart and courage, and push forward the work, till brighter, richer, grander results are attained.
THE INDIANS.
THE SPICE OF MISSIONARY LIFE.
Rev. Myron Eells, S’Kokomish, W. T.