ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.
Macon, Ga.—Pastor S. E. Lathrop is getting under way his Circulating Library for the colored people. He sends out a circular, printed on his own “Gospel Press,” that was given him as a home missionary in Wisconsin, appealing for the gift of new or second-hand books for this purpose. Gov. Colquitt and Senators Gordon and Hill have furnished some. Pres. A. L. Chapin, of Beloit, Wis., is putting up a trunk full. Sup’t Roy sent in a “carpet-bag” full. Who’ll follow up?
Macon, Ga.—A graduate from the Lewis High School writes: “I have worked faithfully for three months. I was assigned to a place where there was no school-house or church. The people had their meeting under an arbor. I worked with the patrons of the place until they built me a school-house. Since that they have erected a church at the expense of $350. It is 35 by 45 feet. We are holding protracted meetings. Three persons have been received in full connection, and many more are hovering around the altar. Our Sunday-school is prospering. Many are coming in. The old folks are more interested in this great work than the young. We are hammering down upon them. My school numbers thirty-nine scholars. I have received several petitions from the colored people, asking me to come again and teach for them.”
McIntosh, Liberty Co., Ga.—A pleasant and profitable Sunday-school concert and Christmas exercise was held in the Dorchester Midway church. Mr. McIntosh, the superintendent and teacher, and Miss Douglass, the missionary, are doing good and successful work. Rev. Floyd Snelson is the pastor, and his children gave some exhibitions of their African treasures and experience. A watch-night prayer-meeting was held at his house New Year’s eve.
Cypress Slash, Ga.—The people are getting up timbers for their new meeting-house.
Tougaloo, Miss.—We have had a blessed work here this week. Several of our pupils had been very thoughtful for a great while, some of them a year, and one or two even longer. They had held out stoutly, but last Sabbath afternoon one yielded. Saturday night, several asked for prayers. After church, three young men were converted. Monday morning, twelve more yielded. Monday afternoon, one of the most stubborn cases I ever met came into the fold. She had been trying to climb up some other way for more than two years. Tuesday afternoon another gave up, making in all eighteen within two days. Our term closed on Wednesday. Several went to their homes very anxious. I hope they may still be brought within the fold.
Florence, Ala.—The new church edifice mentioned in our last number was first planned through the benevolence of Mrs. J. Fowler, of Mendon, Ill., who contributed fully one-third of the total cost, and thus laid the foundation of this good enterprise. The completion of the work was made possible by “Howard.”
Washington, D. C.—The American Missionary Association has called Rev. Simon P. Smith to a missionary work among the colored people of Washington. The Lincoln Mission, a Sabbath-school enterprise connected with the Congregational Church, has offered its capacious building, and here may yet arise a colored Congregational church. Mr. Smith is a colored clergyman, a graduate of Howard and then of Chicago Seminary, and well fitted for his work.—Congregationalist.