The report from Talladega was encouraging. In connection with this society are three committees, one for visiting the sick, one on visiting in general, and the third, called the “Highway and Hedge Committee,” consisting of young men, who report any destitution which they may find. The society acts upon these reports and grants any aid which is within its power. A mothers’ meeting is held, and also a girls’ mission band, before whom mission work is held up in such a way that the hope is expressed that some may be led to consecrate themselves to the work of carrying the Gospel to Africa. From Mobile the report from the mothers’ meeting showed an enrolment of thirty-two, nine of whom have been added this year, while the average attendance has been eight; the great disparity between the enrolment and the average attendance being mainly due to the great disadvantages under which the mothers labor, many of them widows obliged to toil hard for the support of their families. It is only owing to a faithful and earnest desire that some are enabled to gather at the weekly meeting for prayer. By much self-denial this year the mothers have contributed $3.50 for the Mendi Mission. The Emersonian Mission Band, formed from the girls of Emerson Institute, was reported in a state of progress; thirty-nine members enrolled. The girls have been working every Saturday afternoon since November 13, preparing salable articles for a fair, the proceeds to be devoted to mission work, both at home and in foreign fields. The character of the meetings is social, industrial and religious combined, hoping to elevate the standard of virtue and piety among our girls and give them correct ideas of pure womanhood. Rev. Dr. Roy addressed the association, expressing in very hearty and encouraging words his views of woman’s position and importance in the world at large, but more especially in this particular branch of God’s work, “Woman’s Work for Woman,” in the missionary field. We were next favored by a solo from Mrs. DeForest, of Talladega, “Not a sparrow falleth,” which was very beautifully rendered. Miss Strode, a former student from Emerson Institute, being called upon, arose and gave some of her personal experiences. Miss Stevenson, the visiting missionary at Mobile, in a few words, gave expression to the gratitude she felt toward the kind people of the North, who, during the past winter, had sent her fifteen barrels of clothing and over $100 in money to assist, in relieving destitution and want among the people for whom she is laboring, thus making her the dispenser of their generosity. Miss Lunt, visiting missionary at Selma, read a paper on “The True Success of Missionary Work—What is it?” in which she compared the condition of heathen nations in past ages with their condition since the missionaries had planted the banner of the cross on their coast; how woman had been elevated from her menial life of servitude and oppression to be a help-meet capable of the highest mental improvement, fitting her for the noblest enjoyments of life, spiritually, mentally and socially. Mrs. Cheeny read a paper prepared by Mrs. A. W. Curtis, of Marion, on “How to Reach Mothers in their Homes.” Since Mrs. Curtis is an invalid and a great sufferer, being unable to visit among the homes, it seemed at first an unfortunate topic for her consideration; but when we listened to her paper and saw how she had been directed of the Lord to reach the mothers and help them by bringing them to her own home, and there giving them the perfect illustration of what a true Christian home may be, and of counseling and instructing them, we were led to say, “Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. Man deviseth his ways, but God directeth his steps.” This paper was an inspiration, must have been, to every mother present. To this contact with the mother at her own home, Mrs. Curtis points as the first seed dropped which led to the revival at Marion, where such a harvest was reaped for the Lord. Mrs. Deforest, of Talladega, read a paper on “How shall we Increase the Interest in our Work?”
These brief mentions are only crumbs which fell from our bountifully loaded table, the fragments, hastily and poorly gathered together, but we hope that you may gain some faint idea of the good which came to us by our mutual exchange of thought and sympathy, and the encouragement we received to persevere in our good work.
THE SOUTH-WESTERN CONGREGATIONAL ASSOCIATION.
Annual Meeting at Terrebonne, April 6–8.
REV. W. S. ALEXANDER, D.D., NEW ORLEANS.
The Association met with a most cordial welcome by Brother Clay and his church at Terrebonne, the place of our last annual meeting. The good pastor has been sadly afflicted during the year by the loss of his devoted wife and daughter, but he has met his troubles with the faith and fortitude of a true Christian. Terrebonne—worthy of its name, “good-land”—is situated in one of the most beautiful and productive sections of Louisiana. The chief staple is sugar, and it requires only capital and enterprise to cause the entire country to bloom like a garden of roses.
To those who believe that it is a prime necessity to the Freedman to own his homestead and to become a part of the “realty” of this Southern country, it is especially gratifying to see the modest homes and fruitful gardens and cultivated acres of our newly made citizens, and to hear them say: “This is mine; no man holds a mortgage on my home.”
Our annual meeting was regarded as in some respects the best we have ever held. The brethren feel that they are climbing a little higher each year. Every church but the smallest mission church was represented, and several delegates came 100 miles to the meeting.
The reports from the churches were hopeful. There have been seasons of refreshing and ingathering, as at New Orleans and New Iberia. In all I think there was a desire and purpose manifest to bring the churches to a higher standing of intelligence and holy living.