We have a weekly Bible meeting held every Monday afternoon immediately after school, in the Principal’s room, conducted by Miss Douglass. The children are interested and the attendance is large. With the Bible in one hand and the text-book in the other, we hope grand results for the next generation of the colored race. Also we have a woman’s weekly prayer-meeting held at various houses. Would I could take my readers with me to these little gatherings of sincere, earnest women, praying for the salvation of their fellow-people; singing “hallelujah” for that freedom from sin worse than the bondage of slavery. The church work is progressing under our minister. These people very quickly discover when the Gospel is preached in an able and sincere manner, and are attentive listeners, worshiping the Lord in a subdued and quiet way; a strong contrast to their former modes and habits. We are preparing a list of the names and residences of the Beach pupils for Miss Douglass, who intends visiting the parents in a friendly and religious call. The extreme cold and distress, to a people unprepared for it, call upon us for extra exertions. Miss Douglass distributes donations judiciously, and thoroughly inquires into the needs of the recipients. Pray that the Lord will continue the blessing of life and health, that we may toil on in faith and patience.
ALABAMA.
Missionary Work in Selma.
MISS MARY K. LUNT.
I find my work constantly increasing; indeed there is no limit, only a lack of time and strength. Really, there is work enough for two or three more, whose whole attention can be given to it. I am happy to say that some of our colored sisters are able to give us considerable help in missionary work, and we feel confident that more aid from the younger ones may be expected.
We have formed a society called “The Mission Workers,” the object of which is to awaken a greater interest in home and foreign missions. The proceeds of a sale which we are to have at Christmas will be devoted to this purpose.
Since beginning work in the fall I have called on one hundred and thirty-three families. When convenient, as in most cases, I have read the Bible and tracts or papers to the women, also offering prayer with them; have established a weekly prayer-meeting for the women, some distance from the Home; also one weekly in my room, in which white and colored lead by turns. They are precious seasons to us all, and we feel that a blessing is for us. Several of our members, whose husbands are unconverted, meet in their homes to pray for their conversion. Friends frequently present requests for prayers.
I have also quite a large class of married women and one young man, reciting to me, in the afternoon, in the various branches of common school studies, and could have a much larger class were I to open a night school, but I dare not undertake that, my time is so fully occupied during the day.