The impression made by these churches upon ministers who went among them for the first time last winter was very noticeable, and their testimony agrees as to the decorum, as well as fervor, of their colored congregations. Nor are they without the witness to their progress, which is indicated by efforts looking toward their self-support and a participation in the general work of missions. These all have Sunday-schools connected with them, in which are gathered 6,219 scholars, besides which some of our teachers are engaged in Sunday-schools connected with other Christian churches. The cause of temperance receives constant attention in both schools and churches. Juvenile and adult organizations are found in nearly all of them, and the young men and women go out pledged, not only to abstain themselves, but to make it part of their mission to persuade others to follow their example in this respect.
To the six Conferences into which our churches were organized one has been added during the past year—that of North Carolina. The Georgia Conference takes the place of that of South-eastern Georgia. The Congregationalism of the South is thus fully associated. The meetings of these bodies are full of interest. Their discussions are practical and admirably sustained. Their fellowship is cordial and Christian, and their spiritual power is in some cases remarkable. The South-western Conference, this year held at New Iberia, La., was signalized by the quickening and reviving of the churches represented, and by the conversion of fifty souls.
Councils are called for ordination of pastors from time to time, and in all customary ways the churches mutually advise and help each other.
We should be greatly remiss did we not call attention also to the work done in the homes of the colored people by devout women who have given themselves to this missionary work. The need of such work can easily be imagined, but cannot be appreciated fully without a knowledge of the facts. At Memphis, Tenn., Atlanta, Ga., Miller’s Station, Ga., Charleston, S. C., etc., faithful visitations have been made from house to house, and Bible-reading, cottage prayer-meetings, practical instruction, and occasional temporal relief, have been administered by lady missionaries, while many of our lady teachers have cheerfully engaged in similar work, so far as their engagements would allow. No general organization of Northern women has been attempted in this behalf, but of their own motion circles have been formed at Detroit, Mich., Waukegan, Ill., Oberlin, Ohio, and other points, whose object it has been to provide the expenses for these messengers of mercy. The work, though limited in its extent, has been fruitful of good results.
Before leaving this hurried review of the Southern field, we are happy to say that our corps of workers, as a whole, has never been more admirably efficient than now. There are fewer changes in the force from year to year than formerly, and those who have just gone for the first time into these schools and churches are men and women of superior intelligence and character. We look for grand work and great results, through God’s blessing on their labors in the coming year.
AFRICA.
About the beginning of the current year, the Rev. Floyd Snelson, who was at the head of the Mendi Mission, was obliged to return to this country on account of the health of his wife. We greatly deplored his loss, as we trusted much to his wisdom and experience for a wise administration of our work in that far land. To Rev. A. P. Miller were committed the position and responsibilities thus vacated. He, with Rev. A. E. Jackson, and their wives, Dr. James and Mr. White, constituted then our missionary band.
On the 13th of February, Elmore L. Anthony was sent, via Liberia, to join them. His various experiences as a slave, a soldier and a student, had fitted him to take special charge of the industrial work at Avery, though we believed him to be as much a missionary in spirit as those who had preceded him. He was submitted to a severe medical examination, and pronounced sound in health; for we have concluded that those only of unimpaired health should be exposed to the debilitating influences of a tropical climate. He has so far fulfilled all our expectations.
We have just sent another missionary to the field. Nathaniel Nurse, a native of Barbadoes, who has resided already in Liberia five years, and who has been maintained at Fisk University for the last two years by English and Scotch friends, sailed on the fourth of this month. He has shown much enterprise in the past, which we hope will be effectively applied to the missionary work on the West Coast.
Our force consists then, at present, of these six men and the wives of two. The men have endured the climate wonderfully well, having suffered only temporary disabilities, and having been laid aside but little from their work. Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Jackson have not been as well, perhaps, because they were not in as firm health before leaving this country, but have not been compelled, as yet, to leave the Mendi coast, even temporarily.