There is something of the old conference element in our meetings which is healthful; to examine critically the ministers and their churches, and to have their “characters passed.” So men are here judged by actual results, and vital defects in administration are criticised with kindly severity, and impartially condemned.
The annual sermon was preached by Rev. Charles E. Smith, of Abberville. It was earnest, evangelical, and marked by a good deal of ability. Dr. Roy, who is always heartily welcomed, addressed the association with great acceptance. The “amen corner” made itself heard while he spoke. One good brother would occasionally break the silence by saying, “Look at him. He has a good hold now, sure.”
The session of Thursday morning was devoted to the subject of employing missionaries at large. A decision was reached at a subsequent session that a missionary committee be appointed, representing the northern, central, and southern portion of the association limits—New Orleans, Terrebonne and New Iberia—to exercise wise missionary over-sight over the parishes adjoining their own, to report opportunities of planting new churches, and to make temporary provision for them. Two new churches were received—St. Rock, in the town of Howma, and Little Zion, near Thibodauxville. These churches were regularly organized, with the assistance of Congregational councils.
To meet the growing demands of the field, and in answer to the urgent request of the churches, it was decided, after faithful examination regarding the character, doctrinal views and qualifications of the candidates, to license for the term of one year Mr. Squire Williams, of Thibodauxville, and Paul Martin, of New Iberia. In the case of Father Benjamin Fields, of Terrebonne, who has suffered for his faith in Christ and his fidelity to His service in the darkest days of bondage, the association, by a unanimous and cordial vote, granted him a license without limitation of time. The relation of his personal experience was very affecting. When he had spoken of the torture inflicted upon him by the lash, the paddle and the stocks, the Moderator asked him if while he suffered for his faith he prayed for his persecutors. He said: “I should not have been a Christian if I had not prayed for them.” One of the new churches received, the St. Rock Congregational church, earnestly requested that Mr. Humphrey Williams, one of their number, be set apart to the work of the ministry by the solemn rite of ordination, that he might serve them as pastor, and administer to them the sacraments of the church. The examination of Mr. Williams was approved, and his ordination secured in the evening. The Moderator preached the sermon and Dr. Roy gave a most excellent charge to the candidate. The ordaining prayer was offered by Rev. J. K. Jones, of Napoleonville, and the right hand of fellowship given by Rev. W. R. Polk, of New Iberia.
After the ordination service, Rev. Isaac H. Hall, of New Orleans, the delegate of the association to the National Council at St. Louis, made his report. His address was grand. As he described his visit to the Annual Meeting of the American Missionary Association at Norwich and to the National Council, giving the salient features of each as they impressed his own mind, the audience were aroused to a high state of enthusiasm; smiles and tears were commingled; and one loud “Glory to God!” broke forth from hundreds of lips.
I must relate one incident in Mr. Hall’s address. Speaking of the election of a colored man as one of the vice-presidents of the National Council, he said: “Just think of it, dear brethren! There was Dr. Dexter on one side, and Dr. Sturtevant on the other, and a colored man in the middle, saying, ‘Are you ready for the question?’” You should have heard the hallelujah which greeted this announcement. There was a colored Baptist minister in the audience, with more enthusiasm than learning, who said: “Do you hear that? A white man on one side, and a white man on the other, and a nigger in the middle, saying, ‘Is you ready for de question?’ O Lord! is we riz so high?”
The association adjourned on Friday morning to meet in New Orleans, with Central Church, the first Wednesday in April, 1882. Dr. Alexander was appointed to represent the association at the autumn meeting of the Congregational Church in England. The religious interest awakened by our annual meeting deepened to the last, and at the urgent request of Brother Clay, several of the ministers remained after the adjournment. At the meeting on Saturday night, 35 were brought under conviction of sin, and asked for the prayers of the church. The good work still goes on.
The churches of the association need to be encouraged, instructed and helped. I see to-day, as I have seen every year that I have been in the State, opportunities of investing one hundred dollars in a piece of ground for a church site, or to make the last payment upon a chapel, or to save a discouraged frontier preacher, which would pay a fabulous revenue.
While our bankers and statesmen are devising means for funding the national debt, who in all this broad land, so rich in resources, will decide to fund something of his surplus revenue in the way I have indicated?