Rev. Mr. Peebles discussed Church and Sunday-school Singing and Pictorial Preaching; Rev. W. H. Ellis, Children for Christ; Rev. G. S. Smith, the A. M. A. Work and National Council. The sermon Friday night was by Rev. Islay Walden; text, the first Psalm. Saturday afternoon the Conference held an experience meeting, in which some very interesting and touching reminiscences were given, particularly that of the death and burial of the martyr, Rev. Mr. Luke, related by Mr. Peebles. While this was in progress, Mr. James Gilmore, who sold the A. M. A. the grounds for this mission, came in, was made an honorary member, and sat, an interested listener, until the close.
Saturday night, the Conference held a rousing temperance meeting and took strong ground by a unanimous vote in favor of total abstinence, the use of unfermented wine at communion, and in favor of prohibition, as submitted to the people of this State by the last legislature for their ratification next August. The leading temperance speech was made by Deacon Jones, of Raleigh, whose grave was gratuitously dug for him at Chapel Hill some years ago by the Ku Klux, but which he declined to occupy. He tells us the Congregational Church at Raleigh is known as the prohibition church.
On the Sabbath the Sunday-school occupied the hour from 10 to 11 a.m. Sermon at 11 by Dr. Roy on the Great Commission. Text, Matt. xxviii. 18–20. In the afternoon one infant was baptized and nine persons received into the church, the pastor, Rev. A. Connet, officiating. Communion was administered by Revs. G. S. Smith and David Peebles.
Sunday night was devoted to the cause of Missions. Rev. A. Connet, for ten years in the employ of the A. H. M. S., presented the cause of Home Missions. Rev. G. S. Smith presented in earnest and eloquent words the cause of the A. M. A. He was followed by Rev. J. E. Roy, D.D., who gave a clear outline of the discoveries and missionary operations on the continent of Africa. He told us how the Christian world is looking to the colored population of this country to evangelize the “Dark Continent.”
AFRICA.
THE ORDINATION AT GOOD HOPE.
REV. H. M. LADD.
No little interest centered about the ordination of Kelly M. Kemp. It took place at Good Hope Station, Sherbro’ Island, West Coast of Africa, Sunday, April 10th.[A] Being the first ceremony of the kind in which the church and community had ever participated, it was naturally looked forward to by many, not only as a matter of deep interest in itself, but also as the harbinger of a better state of things for the enfeebled and almost discouraged church. Yet the field was an important one and must not be given up. The Lord had set His seal upon some faithful souls here, and they were praying and hoping for better things. Here, in the little graveyard adjoining the church, lay those who had given their lives that Africa might be redeemed. Here, by their side, lay one of Africa’s own sons, the gifted Barnabas Root, whose Christian graces of character had endeared him to all who knew him, and whose brilliant attainments had been to all the friends of the colored race at once a promise and a fulfillment of their fondest expectations. Their mute appeal, seconding the conviction that God had not forgotten this station, was eloquent, and prevailed. Good Hope was not to be given up. On the contrary, it was to be strengthened, so far as human power could do so, with a good hope, true to its name, that God would add His blessing in the fulfillment of the rich promises of His grace.