CENTRAL CHURCH.
This church has paid all its expenses during the summer. The pulpit has been supplied by a young man of ability, Mr. Albert, formerly a student at Atlanta, and at present a member of our senior class. I found the church in a good spiritual state, the congregation somewhat scattered, but they soon rallied, and we have now fair and increasing audiences.
The one desire and prayer of the church is to witness an earnest and extended revival, and I am grateful to be able to say that this hope seems about to be realized. Three years ago, Mr. James Wharton, of Barrow-in-Furness, England, visited this city to engage in evangelistic work, if Providence should open the way, among the colored people. He is a business man, but an earnest Christian, endowed with fine gifts as a persuasive speaker.
He wrote to me in the summer asking if the way would be open for him to conduct revival services in Central Church if he should visit New Orleans in October. I lost no time in sending him a cordial invitation to come, and promised him our hearty co-operation. He has arrived in the city accompanied by Mr. Richard Irving, a man of kindred spirit, and next Sunday, Nov. 7th, they will begin a series of meetings which will be continued indefinitely, so long as souls can be gathered into the Kingdom. Printed notices of the meetings have been widely circulated, and earnest workers are canvassing, going from house to house, and entreating the people to come to this Gospel feast. Dear friends in the North, pray for us, and the success of this movement. As Bro. Wharton wrote me from England, “Pray mightily for us.” I pray God I may have glad tidings to send you soon. These dear brethren come at their own charges, and ask only the privilege of preaching a free Gospel to the needy and perishing.
TENNESSEE.
Fisk University.
REV. E. M. CRAVATH, NASHVILLE.
The sixteenth scholastic year of Fisk University has begun under very favorable conditions and with very encouraging prospects.
1. The number of pupils in attendance for the first two months of this year is greatly increased over that of last, although that of last year was larger than any previous year since the occupancy of Jubilee Hall. The number from outside the city of Nashville is thirty per cent. greater than at the same time one year ago.