REV. O. W. FAY.
With our church, the past year has been one of more than ordinary encouragement and blessing. Spiritual growth is manifest. Special meetings were held during the week of prayer and three weeks following; result, several hopeful conversions; 12 have united with the church, six by letter and six by profession. A healthful sentiment in favor of temperance prevails throughout the church and congregation, cherished by special services and efforts through the year. Not one person to my knowledge is addicted to the use of drink. Sunday-school is vigorous with enthusiasm, numbering 175 pupils. Decided improvement both in attendance and contributions have been made during the year. Though this has been financially a hard year for our people, nevertheless in loyalty to church obligation they have done better than ever before in their history. Nine of our members have been in attendance at Talladega College and Fisk University during the year; three of these are studying for the ministry. As a whole, the church work at this point has a bright side, and we feel like thanking God and taking courage.
SELMA, ALA.
REV. C. B. CURTIS.
Our church observed the week of prayer with a good degree of interest, which was followed by a series of meetings continuing through the month of January. Five were added to the church by profession and four by letter. An effort was made in behalf of temperance by all the churches, in the beginning of the year, to send a petition to the Legislature for the suppression of intemperance, but failed as to results. Christmas, a temperance Sunday-school concert was held. The Sunday-school has been steadily increasing, as shown by the following figures, which give the average attendance for six months: January 82, February 77¾, March 83¼, April 84¾, May 112, June 101¾.
A mission school at the house of the pastor has been in operation for the year, with an average attendance of 18 weekly.
An effort has been made to raise a special donation for the A. M. A., that the Association may receive the $50 pledged as a duplicate from a friend in Massachusetts. The “Mission Workers” of the church and Sunday-school have made by sales, and given for various purposes, $30.45. Six of our pupils are at school at Talladega, two at Tougaloo. Ten members are engaged in teaching or missionary work.
Interest in the cause of missions has been furthered by a “missionary tea party,” held at the home of the pastor. Items of intelligence from the broad field interested all.