MARION, ALA.
REV. A. W. CURTIS.
Marion is an old town, quite an educational centre, but in all other respects left high and dry on a side switch. Hence our church and work is a good deal like that of New England—a good place to emigrate from. There is not business enough to give work at home, and the young people have to go away; we are trying to make it a good home and training-school, and look for the results elsewhere. This summer nearly all our men are abroad for work—many at Tougaloo, working on the new building—some renting land in the district around. Most of the young women as they marry find homes abroad for the same reason.
The children and young people who were converted last spring hold out well, and form the principal part of our number at prayer meeting. We see occasionally also those who united with other churches. Ten united on confession at our first communion, four at the second. So far as I can learn, all our church are strictly temperance folks. Our Sunday-school is small. We have had three Sunday-schools kept up in the country by members of our church who had day schools in those districts.
Most of our members have homes which they are making more valuable by improvement, while property in town has greatly depreciated. Our church have undertaken to raise $100 and to build a school-house this summer. It may be a question whether they will succeed in the latter as soon as they have planned.
Ten of the young people of our church have been at Talladega during the past year, two at Fisk, and one in Tougaloo. Four of our members have been teaching school with good success and one is preaching.
A young man who graduated with honor at the Normal here last week was converted with us. He wishes to go to Africa, but will probably go under Methodist auspices, according to his friends’ wish. I have found a large field and a very needy one.