ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.
Athens, Ala.—The Rev. Horace J. Taylor writes to us: “Work has commenced for the new building. We have the yard prepared, and are now engaged in making brick. I am treasurer and chairman of the building committee, and the building will be finished without at any time being in debt one cent, if it takes three years to finish it.”
Anniston, Ala.—The pastor of this church had written us asking for an organ to help in its services. Before the request was made public, one of our old and faithful friends wrote us that his resources had been so much curtailed that he could send us no gift in money, but that he had a cabinet organ which he would be glad to send us, if we could make it of service in our work. The organ went to Anniston. Rev. Mr. McEntosh, the pastor, writes: “I wish you could have seen the bright eyes of the children in the Sunday-school, and the admiration and surprise of the adults, as they listened with solemn and pleasing quietness to the sweet tones of the new organ, as it gave the heart-cheering notes of ‘One there is above all others.’ I cannot arrange words to express our thanks to you and to the many friends of the descendants of Ham.”
Childersburg, Ala.—Rev. Alfred Jones writes: “I have had my series of meetings; eight came to Christ, and five joined my church—four young men and one girl,—and I think they bid fair for the future. They all belong to my Sunday-school. I am holding my fort, and expect to have a good church. I am doing all that I can, and feel that the Lord is with me.”
GENERAL NOTES.
The Freedmen.
—At a meeting held by the influential Friends in Philadelphia this week, to consider the condition of the negro refugees in Kansas, some new facts were brought to light. It appears from the statements made to them that the negroes are not all so needy as is supposed; some of them have money to buy land, and have bought it. The Freedmen’s Relief Association has bought 5,000 acres at $2.65 per acre, has made the first payment, and put some of the refugees to work on it. The second payment is not due for four years, and before that time they hope the blacks will have got Northern legs under them, so to speak, enough to be able to pay it themselves. Many of the older men and women, however, are not self-supporting, and never will be. The facts stated of their immediate need were so well authenticated, and the methods suggested for their help so practicable, that the Friends have taken up the matter in earnest.
—The Exodus is attracting increased attention among colored people in Virginia and North Carolina, though they are acting with more deliberation than is shown in Louisiana and Mississippi. A colony has been formed in Lynchburg to proceed West as soon as requisite funds can be collected. A colony in North Carolina has sent one of its members West to prospect.